The inaugural season of Austin FC will begin with preseason training camps and scrimmages at St. Edward’s University in South Austin, according to the Major League Soccer club.

In a March 1 news release, Austin FC said it will officially begin its 2021 preseason March 8 with a group of 26 soccer players. Of that group, 21 rostered players will be in attendance, as well as two unsigned draft picks from January’s MLS Superdraft and three training camp invites.

“We are very excited to start our first preseason as an MLS club,” said Josh Wolff, head coach for Austin FC, in the team’s March 1 news release.. “The organization has worked tirelessly for over two years for this moment, and we look forward to officially starting this project and getting our players and staff on the field.”

Preseason is being held at St. Edward’s this year because construction is not yet complete on the St. David’s Performance Center, according to the team. Construction work on the $45 million training facility located off Parmer Lane in North Austin began in June.

The team has two scrimmages scheduled for its preseason at St. Edward’s, with matchups against United Soccer League teams OKC Energy and Louisville City FC planned on March 19 and 25, respectively. The USL is a Division II professional league under the MLS.

Fans will be unable to attend the scrimmages due to preseason COVID-19 safety protocols, according to the team.

| March 8... IT'S HAPPENING!

The official start of preseason, presented by @StDavidsHC, and taking place at @FairmontATX and @stedwardsu, marks the beginning of #AustinFC's inaugural season activities.

— Austin FC (@AustinFC) March 1, 2021

Further preseason matches to be played in April ahead of the 2021 MLS regular season will be announced in the future, the MLS team said in its news release. The MLS 2021 season will officially begin April 17, according to a Feb. 11 news release from the league, but full schedule details have not yet been published.

Austin FC said further details on its inaugural schedule will be released “in the coming weeks.” Team President Andy Loughnane said back in January that the new Q2 Stadium—home of Austin FC—will not likely hold games until June or later. It is not clear at this time if fans will be able to attend home games in person.