SAN JOSE, Calif. – The NCAA announced today that the West Coast Conference was selected to host the 2016 NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, Calif. from December 2-4. The WCC partnered with the San Jose Sports Authority and Avaya Stadium to earn the bid.
“Avaya Stadium is proud to host this unique and exciting tournament,” said Earthquakes President Dave Kaval. “The College Cup is a showcase of the best amateur talent in the nation and adds to the impressive guest list Avaya Stadium has hosted, including national teams and world-renowned European clubs. We believe bringing the Women’s College Cup to San Jose is a tremendous opportunity for our community.”
It marks the fourth time the Women’s College Cup makes its way to the Bay Area, and first time in 16 years, as it was previously held at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara in 1996 and Spartan Stadium in San Jose in 1999 and 2000.
“We are honored to have been selected by the NCAA and the Women’s Soccer Committee to host the Women’s College Cup this December” said San Jose Sports Authority Executive Director Patricia Ernstrom. “Together with our partners at the West Coast Conference and the San Jose Earthquakes we are excited to present a world-class experience for the participating student-athletes and everyone attending the Championship at Avaya Stadium.”
About Avaya Stadium
Avaya Stadium is an 18,000-seat soccer-specific stadium located on Coleman Ave. adjacent to the San Jose International Airport. The European-inspired building is the first cloud-enabled venue in Major League Soccer and is among the most technologically advanced stadiums in the world. The stadium features a canopy roof and the steepest-raked seating in MLS to provide the best possible fan experience. Additionally, the north end zone houses the largest outdoor bar in North America, a two-acre fan zone and a double-sided video scoreboard. The suites and club seats are located at field level, giving fans a premium experience unlike any other in professional sports. The stadium has hosted numerous non-Major League Soccer events since its inaugural season in 2015, including the International Champions Cup, which featured Manchester United and Club America, a Send-Off Series match for the United States Women¹s National Team ahead of the FIFA Women¹s World Cup, the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup and the 2016 Major League Soccer All-Star Game against Arsenal FC. For more information about Avaya Stadium, visit sjearthquakes.com.
About the West Coast Conference
The West Coast Conference was formed in 1952 and has evolved and grown to become a nationally recognized and competitive force in Division I intercollegiate athletics, with 14 conference-sponsored sports: baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's golf, women's rowing, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's tennis and women's volleyball. The WCC is characterized by the stability of its membership and its unique emphasis on combining excellence in athletics with excellence in academics. For more information, visit WCCsports.com or follow the West Coast Conference on Twitter @WCCsports
About the San Jose Sports Authority
The San Jose Sports Authority is a non-profit organization whose mission is to increase the City of San Jose’s economic development, visibility and civic pride through sports. Serving as the City's sports commission since in 1991, the Sports Authority has provided leadership and support to attract and host hundreds of sporting events in San Jose and the South Bay. The Sports Authority also supports and operates community, youth and amateur sports programs, including the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame and the REACH Youth Scholarship Program. To learn more, visit www.sjsa.org
