1852 Visalia has three fields at the facility, two indoor, one outdoor, with each of them sponsored by local organizations. Photo by Ben Hensley

Soccer and beer both have a strong connection to the Central Valley, with a thriving local brewery scene paired with teams including Central Valley Fuego, Fresno State and state champion Fresno City College.

Visalia native and former professional soccer player and general manager Jeremy Schultz aims to bring those two worlds together like never before, combining the two in a unique space, providing soccer players with an opportunity to showcase and hone their skills and soccer fans a space to enjoy a drink while watching live soccer.

1852 Visalia opened its doors last week, offering brews, social space and a home for soccer leagues for all ages. With three fields, a 2,000 square-foot taproom and a 2,800 square-foot beer garden, the multipurpose venue hopes to host 3,000 soccer players in various leagues when it reaches full capacity.

 

“I was the GM with Fuego for ten years up in Fresno,” said Schultz, founder and CEO of 1852 Visalia. “The idea of community around the Fuego and what we had established, and then the culture that we created at Tioga Sequoia across the street from Chukchansi Park — it was just this really cool, all ages chemistry that we created through soccer.”

The facility houses two indoor fields as well as one outdoor. Fields themselves are much smaller than standard soccer fields, sporting 50 by 80 square foot fields surrounded by dasher boards and netting.

The smaller fields also require smaller teams, with 5 vs. 5 matchups rather than the conventional 11 vs. 11.

Schultz hopes the smaller field will increase finesse and technical style, helping youth and high-level players alike hone their skills.

“They have to learn to play in tight spaces — to make quick decisions, be creative on the ball,” Schultz said. “Whether it’s beating someone one-on-one on the ball or passing out of the situation.”

Schultz hopes the business drives not only soccer players, but community interest as well, offering league play for teams.

Memberships are required to sign up for a team, starting at $25 per season, and $50 for an annual membership.

 

“Once you get your membership, the best chance to get on the field with a group is to create a team with your mates,” Schultz said. “Once you get your team, it’s $100 per player to play in that season.”

Individuals can also sign up as “free agents,” and have the staff assign them to a team for $120 per season.

The air-conditioned taproom at 1852 Visalia sells their own brew on site, and offers six selections, ranging from classic lager to hazy IPA. There is also a beer garden with room for food vendors. The site houses 11 televisions and will show sports of all kinds — but with a focus on soccer.

“For my whole life, sometimes it’s been challenging to go to an establishment and get soccer on the TV,” Schultz said. “This is going to be a space that if there’s a soccer game on, this will be the place you can watch it.”

The business sees the local community as an opportunity for a variety of events and entertainment opportunities, ranging from hosting a World Cup viewing party to comedy and other entertainment options.

Schultz says the business already has nearly 60 corporate sponsors, with naming rights to each field sponsored by 4CG Construction, Family Healthcare Network and the Tulare County Office of Education.

“For me, the reward on Thursday is to open these doors and share it with the community,” Schultz said. “To share with the people that have supported me and my soccer projects means the world to me.”