A second-division professional soccer team is coming to Birmingham, an investment group will announce on Tuesday, and fans are invited to the party to celebrate the news.

The new franchise will compete in the United Soccer League, which has expanded rapidly in recent years. The official announcement will be made at 5 p.m. at Good People Brewing Company. Soccer fans and supporters of the city are encouraged to attend the event. The new team is a reflection of Birmingham's recent renaissance, and the franchise hopes to grow along with the city.

The USL is one division below Major League Soccer in American soccer's four-tier division system, and has more than doubled in size since 2014. The new franchise could play at Regions Field or UAB's soccer stadium, BBVA Compass Field, before a permanent home is built. Birmingham Mayor William Bell first informed AL.com of the city's interest in USL in April. The league has mentioned Birmingham as an expansion city throughout the summer in news releases, interviews and league meetings.

The Birmingham USL franchise is scheduled to begin playing in 2019. The USL currently features 30 teams. Other regional soccer teams currently competing in the USL are Charleston Battery, Charlotte Independence, FC Cincinnati, Louisville City FC and Orlando City B.

Nashville FC is joining the USL in 2018, and other expansion franchises are expected to join the league by 2020. USL currently operates as a two-conference league (Eastern and Western), but is expected to form three conferences as early as the 2019 season to enrich regional rivalries and cut down on travel expenses for USL franchises.

The USL prefers soccer-specific stadiums for their new franchises, but some teams play at minor league baseball stadiums, including Reno 1868 FC. A new expansion franchise in Las Vegas will also play at a minor-league baseball stadium. Positioned next to Railroad Park, the Birmingham Barons' Regions Field has led the Southern League in attendance each season since opening in 2013. It seats 8,500 for baseball games.