Stadium Operations Intern

Internship Objective: Celery City FC is offering an opportunity for current college students looking to gain real-world stadium and event operations experience to position themselves for a career in the sports industry upon graduation. You’ll thrive in this role if you like being first in and last out, solving problems on the fly, and making sure thousands of fans have a great night without ever knowing how much work went into it.

Start Date: Beginning of May
End Date: On or near mid-August
Academic Qualifications: Declared major or minor in Sport Management, Hospitality, Event Management, Recreation, Business

Description of Responsibilities: As a Stadium Operations Intern, you’ll work directly alongside the Event Operations Manager to get the stadium ready and keep it running on match nights. You’ll set up and tear down the fan zone, inflatables, sponsor tents, entrances and seating areas. You’ll help coordinate Food Truck Alley vendors, the beer garden and the concession stand with our concessions partner, track inventory, and watch lines and guest flow during the night. You’ll run fan zone activities, handle problems as they pop up, and lead stadium recovery after the final whistle.

About the Organization: Celery City FC is Kalamazoo’s newest summer tradition: an experience and entertainment venue built around soccer, with a men’s team in USL League Two and a women’s team in the USL W League. Matches are played at Soisson-Rapacz-Clason Field at Mayors’ Riverfront Park, starting May 2027. The club is built by the team behind the Kalamazoo Growlers, Northwoods League Organization of the Year in 2016, 2020, 2022 and 2024. Come for the entertainment. Stay for the soccer.

About the Leagues: USL League Two and the USL W League are the United Soccer League’s pre-professional summer leagues. Top college players spend their summers competing for clubs across the country while keeping their college eligibility, and many go on to professional careers.

No Compensation: The Intern and the Company clearly understand that there is no expectation of compensation. The Intern understands that they are not entitled to wages for their time spent in the internship. The Intern agrees that they will be compensated in knowledge, education and experience as consideration for the duties and responsibilities they will undertake during the internship.

Housing & Living Expenses: Housing is not provided. The intern is responsible for coordinating summer arrangements. There are plenty of summer housing options in Kalamazoo. The Company will provide a $600 monthly stipend to help cover living expenses such as food, gas and housing.

Credit: College credit toward a major, minor or general elective is required.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.