Sporting Kansas City’s state-of-the-art new stadium will host two matches for the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup™, CONCACAF announced on Thursday.
Kansas City was one of 11 U.S. cities chosen to host games during the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup™ and is scheduled to feature a first round doubleheader on June 14th, 2011. The international matches will take place at Sporting Kansas City’s $180 million new stadium, currently under construction in Kansas City, Kansas. The venue will seat 18,500 soccer supporters and was designed to be the first authentic American soccer stadium, including a dramatic canopy roof that covers every seating section of the stadium.
The Gold Cup doubleheader in Kansas City will be included as part of 2011 Sporting Kansas City season ticket packages, which can be purchased at www.SportingKC.com/VirtualVenue or by calling 888-4KC-GOAL. Season tickets begin at $14-per-seat.
The tournament brings 12 of the region’s best National Teams to compete for the continental crown and the right to be the region’s representative in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil. Seven countries have already been determined for the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup™: United States, Mexico, Canada, Jamaica, Guadeloupe, Cuba and Grenada. The final five entrants will qualify in January’s Copa Centroamericana in Panama.
The 2011 Gold Cup will mark the 20th anniversary of the tournament, the region’s highest level of competition, and is scheduled to take place across the United States from June 5th to June 25th.
“We are very excited about our cities and venues,” CONCACAF General Secretary Chuck Blazer said. “Each will add a distinct flavor to the event and will help make this the best Gold Cup to date."
Thursday’s announcement continues the presence of marquee international soccer matches in Kansas City, which hosted English powerhouse Manchester United in July and the Clasico between Club America and Chivas Guadalajara in 2009.
The last time a Men’s National Team played in Kansas City was April 25, 2001 when the United States defeated Costa Rica in a FIFA World Cup Qualifier at Arrowhead Stadium.
CONCACAF will announce the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup™ groups, schedule and ticket information in early February.
SCHEDULE
First Round
June 5 – Cowboys Stadium (Arlington, TX)
June 6 – The Home Depot Center (Carson, CA)
June 7 – Ford Field (Detroit, MI)
June 9 – Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, NC)
June 10 – FIU Stadium (Miami, FL)
June 11 – Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, FL)
June 12 – Soldier Field (Chicago, IL)
June 13 – Red Bull Arena (Harrison, NJ)
June 14 – KC Soccer Stadium (Kansas City, KS)
Quarterfinals
June 18 – New Meadowlands Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
June 19 – Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium (Washington DC)
Semifinals
June 22 – Reliant Stadium (Houston, TX)
Final
June 25 – Rose Bowl (Pasadena, CA)
For more information about the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup, please visit www.CONCACAF.com or www.GoldCup.org.
