JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville sports fans are witnessing history tonight as Sporting JAX hosts its first-ever home game. The women’s team kicks off the city’s debut in the Gain bridge Super League, a brand-new professional women’s soccer league.

The match takes place at Hodges Stadium, marking the first official home game for Jacksonville’s newest professional sports franchise. Sporting JAX is one of nine teams competing in the league this season.

Steve Livingstone, president of Sporting JAX, says the team’s debut is about more than wins and losses.

“The reception that we’ve had from the communities has been incredible. Not only the soccer community, but the general sports community and the corporate community,” Livingstone said.

“Everybody knows who we are and coming out to back us, it’s truly a historic event. This is the first ever women’s professional sports team to represent Jacksonville in the First Coast,” Livingstone added.

Livingstone said that this day has been long awaited, and he expects a large crowd to turn out for the historic game.

Community support has already been strong, with fans, local businesses and sponsors rallying behind the new franchise. Organizers say that level of backing is key to ensuring Sporting JAX’s long-term success and showing that Jacksonville is ready to embrace women’s professional sports on a major stage.

The men’s team will debut later this year, but tonight, all eyes are on Sporting JAX women as they take the field and make history for professional sports in Jacksonville.

The Sporting JAX women’s team takes on D.C. Power FC at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Hodges Stadium.