Ticket sales have surpassed 40,000 for the international friendly between the Kansas City Wizards and soccer superpower Manchester United July 25 at New Arrowhead Stadium. The match will set a new attendance record for soccer in Mid-America, as sales have already surpassed the previous record of 37,319 set when the United States Men’s National Team played a World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica at Arrowhead in 2001.
Strong early sales for the Wizards-Manchester United friendly, coupled with outstanding turnout Saturday for a USA-Ghana watch party in the Kansas City Power & Light District is demonstrating the level of passion Kansas Citians hold for soccer. Over 12,000 screaming USA fans gathered in Power & Light Saturday as ABC/ESPN cameras were on hand. To see a pair of videos of crowd reaction when Landon Donovan scored his second-half goal, click here and here. For a full sights and sounds package from the event, click here. Watch parties will continue at the Power & Light District for every remaining World Cup contest.
Fans can show their support for the bid by texting “KansasCity” to 22442 or signing the petition online at www.goUSAbid.com/KC. Kansas City is one of 18 cities still in the running to host matches should the USA bid to host the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup be successful. FIFA will select the host nation for both 2018 and 2022 on December 2, 2010.
A limited number of lower-level seats are still available for the Manchester United match, but fans are encouraged to act quickly to reserve their seats before all lower-level seats are sold out. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.com, by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or at any Ticketmaster outlet. Special packages are also available through the Kansas City Wizards and can be purchased by calling 1-888-4KC-GOAL.
Media members who do not have Kansas City Wizards full-season credentials are required to register for credentials for the Manchester United match by Tuesday, July 13. Credentials are available from Soccer United Marketing through this website.
