SAN JOSE, Calif. – Levi’s® Stadium has been selected as one of 10 host sites for the Copa America Centenario, which will be played from June 3-26, 2016 in the United States, by teams from the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) and the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL), as announced by the Copa America Centenario Local Organizing Committee (LOC) today. Specific match dates and competing teams will be announced at a later date with Levi’s® Stadium scheduled to host at least three matches.
The 2016 Copa America Centenario is the historic centennial edition of Copa America, the South American championship that will be staged outside of South America for the first time. The tournament will feature six teams from CONCACAF and all 10 teams from CONMEBOL.
To be among the first to access tickets to this once-in-a-lifetime event, fans can visit www.CA2016.com. Due to the expected high demand for this premium soccer tournament, fans are urged to register early to guarantee access to information as it becomes available. Current San Jose Earthquakes Season Ticket Holders will be eligible to purchase tickets for Copa America Centenario during an exclusive private sale. More information on the ticket allocation process will be communicated in the coming weeks.
“The Bay Area continues to attract the biggest matches in international soccer,” said Earthquakes President Dave Kaval. “This area has been home to both the 1994 FIFA World Cup and the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup. We are proud to host another historic event next year to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Copa America. With the MLS All-Star Game in July and the Copa America Centenario in June, the summer of 2016 will once again be filled with big soccer events."
As part of the multi-year agreement between the San Francisco 49ers and the Earthquakes to play an annual match Levi’s® Stadium, the two organizations have collaborated over the last two years on bids to bring international soccer events to Levi’s® Stadium and the new home of the Earthquakes, Avaya Stadium. Following the International Champions Cup match between FC Barcelona and Manchester United in July 2015 and an international friendly between Mexico and Chile in September 2014, Copa America Centenario will serve to greatly enhance the presence of the South Bay on the global soccer landscape.
“Levi’s Stadium was designed to be a home for iconic sports and entertainment events so we’re honored to be selected as a host venue for one of the world’s most storied soccer tournaments,” said 49ers COO Al Guido. “Working with our friends at the San Jose Earthquakes and the cities of Santa Clara and San Jose to bring the Copa America Centenario, and its international audience of fans from around the world, to Levi’s Stadium is a great win for the entire Bay Area.”
Chosen from 24 candidates that originally submitted bids earlier this year, Levi’s® Stadium passed rigorous standards, including minimum seating capacity of 60,000 and other world-class infrastructure requirements, in order to host matches of the high-profile tournament.
“The soccer community in Santa Clara features a diverse cross-section of our citizenry and we’re extremely excited to secure an international event with the significance of the Copa America to Santa Clara,” said Santa Clara Mayor Jamie Matthews. “This event will attract thousands of fans to visit Santa Clara from all over the world and we anxiously await the opportunity to stage this historic event.”
“We are thrilled that the Copa America Centenario will be coming to Silicon Valley,” said San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo. “Our region is home to some of the most passionate soccer fans in the country who will relish this opportunity to experience this world-class competition first-hand. We also look forward to welcoming fans from across the globe to enjoy Silicon Valley’s first-rate restaurants, hotels and attractions.”
U.S. Soccer English press release: https://ussoccer.box.com/s/uhn544e0pquuavs4ca8yzmu704e6cvk3
U.S. Soccer Spanish press release: https://ussoccer.box.com/s/mzjm1friaw4lwfztd0p32ss5wtfz00b3
For additional information about the 2016 Copa America Centenario, please visit www.ussoccer.com.
About Levi’s® Stadium
Named Sports Facility of the Year by Sports Business Journal, Levi’s® Stadium is home to the San Francisco 49ers and serves as the world’s most technologically advanced and sustainable sports and entertainment venue. The $1.2 billion venue consists of 1.85 million square feet and 68,500 seats, including 174 luxury suites and 9,000 club seats, and was designed by HNTB and built by Turner/Devcon for the Santa Clara Stadium Authority. It is a multi-purpose facility with flexibility that has allowed it to host a wide range of events – including domestic and international soccer, college football, ice hockey, motocross, concerts and various civic events – since opening in 2014. The venue is also expandable for major events such as WrestleMania 31 and the upcoming Super Bowl 50. Levi's® Stadium is owned by the Santa Clara Stadium Authority, a public joint powers authority established to provide for development and operation of Levi's® Stadium to ensure that the stadium serves the goals of the City of Santa Clara. For more information, go to www.LevisStadium.com.
Levi’s® Stadium Media Contact:
Roger Hacker
San Francisco 49ers
P: 408.986.4890
Roger.Hacker@49ers.com
San Jose Earthquakes Media Contact:
Jed Mettee
San Jose Earthquakes
P: 408.556.7723
jmettee@sjearthquakes.com
Media Contact for Office of Mayor Jamie Matthews:
Jennifer Yamaguma
Acting Public Communications Manager
P: 408-615-2212
JYamaguma@santaclaraca.gov
Media Contact for Office of Mayor Sam Liccardo:
David Low
Communications Director / Public Information Officer
P: 408.535.4840
david.low@sanjoseca.gov
