Major League Soccer announced today that Red Bull Arena, home of the Eastern Conference Regular Season Champion, New York Red Bulls, will host the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star Game on July 27 at 8:30 pm ET.
This year’s All-Star Game will mark the third time the metropolitan New York area has hosted the mid-summer showcase; the inaugural MLS All-Star Game in 1996 and the second in 1997 were played at Giants Stadium. The 25,000-seat, state-of-the-art Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey has played host to multiple friendlies between the Red Bulls and international clubs, along with select national team matches, but the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star Game will be the first marquee MLS event at the $200 million venue.
“The combination of one of the most spectacular stadiums of its size in the world with the passionate soccer supporters in the metropolitan New York area will provide a terrific showcase for our All-Star Game,” Garber said. “Red Bull Arena will be a tremendous venue for this marquee event and we are pleased to bring the All-Star Game to an area with a rich soccer tradition.”
All Red Bulls Plan Holders will receive priority access to purchase seats to the All-Star Game prior to the General Public, with Full Season Plan Holders having the first opportunity, followed by 10-Game and 5-Game Plan Holders. Full Season Plan Holders will also receive a discount on a limited number of All Star Game tickets. Full details of pricing and purchasing windows will be released at a later date.
“We are excited to host Major League Soccer’s summer marquee event at Red Bull Arena,” said Erik Stover, Managing Director of the New York Red Bulls. “The AT&T MLS All-Star Game gives us a great opportunity to welcome the national and international soccer family to our market and showcase our facility in what we fully expect to be the greatest All-Star Game in League history.”
For the eighth time, the MLS All-Stars will face a high-profile international club. Past All-Star Games have featured opponents such as Manchester United, Celtic, Chelsea, and Chivas de Guadalajara. The 2011 All-Star Game opponent will be announced at a later date.
Twelve different markets have hosted the All-Star Game, but only three have hosted it twice – New York, Washington, D.C. and Columbus, Ohio.
The AT&T MLS All-Star Game brings together the League’s finest talents for a singular event. It provides soccer fans from around the world a chance to see MLS’ best compete against some of the world’s most renowned clubs. Since 2003, the MLS All-Stars have faced Manchester United FC (England), Everton FC (England), West Ham United (England), Celtic FC (Scotland), Chelsea FC (England), Fulham FC (England), and CD Guadalajara (Mexico), posting a 5-1-1 record.
“AT&T is excited to return as the title sponsor of the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star Game, especially as this year’s match will take place at Red Bull Arena, the home of the AT&T-sponsored New York Red Bulls,” said Jason Simpson, Assistant Vice President, AT&T Corporate Sponsorships. “AT&T’s goal is to provide unique experiences for soccer fans, whether through offering them the chance to vote for their favorite MLS All-Stars or to cheer live from Red Bull Arena.”
Fans from throughout North America and across the globe are expected to travel to the metropolitan New York area to attend the game and surrounding All-Star festivities, such as the MLS Soccer Celebration that will take place during All-Star Week. For more information on the AT&T MLS All-Star Game, please visit www.MLSsoccer.com OR www.newyorkredbulls.com.
