MEADOWLANDS – MetLife Stadium will host three matches in the historic Copa America Centenario, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority announced this week. The eyes of the world will focus on the Meadowlands for a first-round match (June 12), quarterfinal (June 17) and the final (June 26) of the 2016 Copa America.
The 2016 Copa America Centenario is the historic centennial edition of Copa America – the South American championship – and 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 and will feature some of the world’s best teams and players competing from June 3-26, 2016 in the United States.
Due to the magnitude of this event, the State of New Jersey and the City of New York have joined forces to form a Host Committee, creating a powerful network of local and state agencies, working together to provide tourism, marketing and governmental support on both sides of the Hudson River. The Host Committee will support the efforts of the Local Organizing Committee, formed by tournament host U.S. Soccer, who are responsible for certain logistical and organizational facets of the competition.
The New York/New Jersey Host Committee will include representatives from the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, NYC & Company, Meadowlands Regional Chamber, MetLife Stadium, New York Jets, New York Football Giants, New Meadowlands Racetrack, New York Red Bulls, New York Cosmos, and New York City FC.
The Host Committee will be co-chaired by NJSEA President and CEO Wayne Hasenbalg and NYC & Company President and CEO Fred Dixon.
“We look forward to welcoming the teams and their fans from across the globe as they celebrate this historic event,” Hasenbalg said. “Hosting three games including the final will strengthen both the regional and local economies and continue to showcase MetLife Stadium as a world-class venue for international soccer.”
“NYC & Company looks forward to welcoming another world-class event to the tri-state area, and we invite Copa America Centenario fans to experience New York City’s unparalleled shopping, dining, cultural and entertainment options throughout the five boroughs while they’re here,” said Dixon.
Group seeds and game dates for the Copa America Centenario have been announced. As the host nation, the United States earns the Group A seed, while Argentina, as the highest FIFA-ranked nation in the Americas (per December FIFA rankings), will be seeded at the top of Group D.
In celebration of the rich soccer tradition in the hemisphere and as the most decorated nations in the last 100 years in international competitions from their respective confederations, the national teams of Brazil and Mexico have also been awarded group seeds, and will head Groups B and C, respectively.
The remaining 12 participating nations will be sorted into the four groups in early 2016 based on a public draw. Details of groups and procedures for the draw will be announced leading up to that event.
In announcing the seeded teams, organizers also revealed the dates of matches, including the cities each seeded nation will visit, as well as the dates they will play during the group phase of the tournament.
Similar to the FIFA World Cup, each venue will host matches on multiple days through the tournament. Most venues will host at least three games.
The United States will be visiting Santa Clara, Calif. (June 3) to kick-off the tournament, before visiting Chicago (June 7) and Philadelphia (June 11). Argentina will head to Santa Clara (June 6), Chicago (June 10) and Seattle (June 14). Brazil will travel to Pasadena (June 4), Orlando (June 8) and Foxborough (June 12), and Mexico will play its group matches in Phoenix (June 5), Pasadena (June 9) and Houston (June 13).
Seattle, New York/New Jersey, Foxborough and Santa Clara will all host quarterfinal matches, while Houston and Chicago will be site of the two tournament semifinals.
Tickets will be available through 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. More ticketing information will be released in the coming weeks.
Follow the tournament news at the event’s official Twitter account and Facebook page.
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