On a Saturday night at ONEOK Field, the energy is unmistakable. Families, students, longtime supporters, and newcomers fill the stands, drawn by the promise of excitement, competition and connection. What unfolds is more than a match; it is a celebration of community diversity, affordable engagement, and shared pride.
A Growing Local Impact
FC Tulsa traces its roots to the Tulsa Roughnecks era but has built a new identity since rebranding in 2020. The club has made steady progress in attendance, community outreach, and youth development while playing home matches downtown at ONEOK Field. In many ways, FC Tulsa reflects Tulsa itself. This season broke several attendance records, sharing the growth of popularity for soccer in Oklahoma. The stadium-filled supporters mirror the city’s diversity — people of different ages, backgrounds, and cultures standing side by side. No language is needed to enjoy the game, and the club’s commitment to accessibility reinforces that inclusivity.
(Photo credit: Chrys Melissinos / TCC Connection)
The Fans: The Driving Force Behind the Team
That connection between team and supporters extends well beyond the field. Midfielder Jamie Webber, originally from Cape Town, South Africa, spoke after a recent match about how much the fans mean to the players.
“We need them to keep supporting us,” Webber explained. “Without the fans, it’s difficult for us. They’re the ones who keep us going for 90 minutes. When they’re behind our backs, they give us energy and the desire to do more. We need them to come in numbers, not only now but also in the playoffs. We can’t do anything without them.”
Webber’s message captures the emotional exchange between players and supporters — one that fuels both sides in every match.
(Photo credit: Sam Levrault / TCC Connection)
Theme Nights Bring the City Together
FC Tulsa hosts themed nights throughout the season, becoming essential elements of their match-day activities. The events unite sports enthusiasts who typically avoid soccer matches alongside lifelong fans, those new to the sport, and everyone in between. To appreciate the themes celebrated on the special nights, giveaways, performances, and vendors are often a part of the programming – each often related to the communities represented.
This year’s themes included:
- Samurai Night
- $1 Beer Section Night
- Ascension St. John Night
- Mayfest Night
- Greenwood Night
- Women’s Empowerment Night
- Youth Sports & Back to School Night
- Vamos Tulsa Night + Shirt Giveaway
- College & Homecoming Night
- Taste of Tulsa Night
- Fan Appreciation Night + Fireworks
Events like Greenwood Night honor Tulsa’s Black heritage, while Youth Sports Night brings families and young athletes to the stadium. Vamos Tulsa Night, which celebrates the city’s Hispanic and Latino community, fills the stands with color, music, and energy, reflecting the club’s commitment to inclusion. Together, these celebrations show how FC Tulsa uses soccer to connect the city’s many communities.
Investing in the Future
Beyond the professional team, FC Tulsa supports local player development through its Youth Academy and Futsal program. The academy offers training and mentorship to young athletes from different areas of the region. The Futsal program enables players to enhance their technical abilities and creative play through its fast-paced and hard-surface court version of soccer. The programs show the club’s dedication to developing soccer in Oklahoma while reaching out to players from diverse backgrounds.
Inside the Locker Room: Focus and Brotherhood
That same sense of connection defines the locker room. Players describe the team as a family, one that competes — and lives — together.
Taylor Calheira, a striker and one of the top scorers in the USL stated, “We hang out with each other off the field, too. We’re a close-knit group, and it pays off — because you want to go to battle for people you love.”
As the club pushes toward the playoffs, focus, and improvement remain constant.
“It’s us versus us,” Head Coach Luke Spencer said, “At the beginning of the season, people said Tulsa would finish last in the USL. Since day one, our mindset has been to get better every training session, every weight session, every game, and keep building on each performance.”
From Global Roots to Local Growth
Soccer’s journey from local pastime to global phenomenon began centuries ago, evolving through informal games across Asia and Europe before FIFA was founded in 1904 to standardize the sport. Today, the World Cup unites billions of fans, and soccer’s rising national recognition in the United States is reflected in cities like Tulsa.
As FC Tulsa continues to draw global interest through its performances and community outreach, the club embodies the sport’s enduring values — unity, perseverance, and belonging.
Why It Matters
When a club like FC Tulsa attracts new audiences, hosts inclusive events and supports youth programs, it becomes more than a team — it becomes a civic connector. In a city as diverse as Tulsa, ONEOK Field serves as a gathering place where people share in a collective experience.
Looking Ahead
FC Tulsa appears well-positioned to keep building its fan base and strengthening ties to the community. Its themed nights, youth programs and record-breaking crowds highlight soccer’s power to bring people together.
As Tulsa continues to establish itself within the broader landscape of American soccer, the city’s growing role in the sport mirrors the values that define the game itself — teamwork, resilience, and belonging.
Playoff Push Brings New Excitement
For FC Tulsa, the season is not over yet. The club has secured a spot in the USL Championship playoffs, marking a major milestone for the organization and its supporters The upcoming playoff match is set for this Sat., Nov. 8 at ONEOK Field, giving fans another chance to pack the stadium and rally behind their team. For many in Tulsa, it is more than just a game — it is a sign that the city’s soccer story is only beginning.
Editor’s Note: Sam Levrault, photographer, and Chrys Melissinos, editor for TCC Connection, attended multiple FC Tulsa home matches and press conferences this season for reporting.
