Nov 30, 2006
2007 CONCACAF GOLD CUP(TM) VENUES ANNOUNCED
NEW YORK (Thursday, 30 November 2006) - CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) today unveiled the six stadiums that will host matches in the 2007 CONCACAF Gold CupTM, the 12-nation tournament taking place from 6-24 June in the USA. The ninth edition of the Gold Cup, the tournament that crowns the region's top national team, will feature five venues that have hosted Gold Cup games before and one that is new to the event.
The 2007 edition of the CONCACAF event kicks off with the first round consisting of three groups of four teams competing on a round-robin basis. The three opening venues of the 2007 tournament will be; Orange Bowl in Miami (Florida) (three match dates); Home Depot Center near Los Angeles in Carson (California) (two match dates), and; Giants Stadium close to New York City in East Rutherford (New Jersey) (two match dates).
The two groups beginning tournament play at the Home Depot Center and Giants Stadium will then finish their first round games in Gillette Stadium close to Boston in Foxboro (Massachusetts), and; Reliant Stadium in Houston (Texas) respectively, while the third group will play all of its first round games at the Orange Bowl.
Gillette Stadium and Reliant Stadium will also play host to the quarterfinals of the tournament, which will consist of the top two teams from each group plus the two best third-place teams.
Both the semifinals and the Gold Cup Final will take place at the recently renovated Soldier Field in the heart of Chicago (Illinois). Chicago is hosting Gold Cup games for the first time in the history of the event.
In announcing the six venues CONCACAF General Secretary Chuck Blazer said. \"Once again the Gold Cup will be in six cities across the USA and will draw upon the host country's unique position as home to soccer fans from every corner of the world. In 2005 over one-third of a million people attended Gold Cup games and this time around we are confident that the tournament will prove just as popular with 12 CONCACAF teams competing for the famous Gold Cup trophy and a place in the next FIFA Confederations' Cup. All the venues selected have a rich pedigree as hosts of major soccer events and everyone is really excited about the tournament.\"
With the exception of the final on 24 June, all match dates will be double-headers with specific dates of games to be announced early in 2007 and the full tournament match schedule to be announced at the start of March 2007, after Central American and Caribbean qualifying has concluded.
For the first time in the history of the event, the 2007 CONCACAF Gold CupTM will consist exclusively of 12 CONCACAF teams comprising of previous champions (Canada, Mexico, USA), four teams to qualify from the Caribbean (12-23 January in Trinidad & Tobago) plus five teams to qualify from Central America (8-18 February in El Salvador).
The 2007 CONCACAF Gold CupTM champion will represent CONCACAF at the FIFA Confederations Cup, South Africa 2009.
ABOUT THE VENUES
Soldier Field (Chicago, Illinois)
1410 S. Museum
Campus Dr Gate 14
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 235-7000
www.soldierfield.net
Inauguration: 1924
Total Seating Capacity: 57,000
2007 CONCACAF Gold CupTM:
One Semifinal date, (two games played as a double header)
One Final date, (one game only)
Soldier Field, inaugurated back in 1924, has been the official home of the NFL's Chicago Bears since the early 1970s. The stadium served as host of the FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremonies and group match play in 1994. By 2003, Soldier Field was renovated and introduced a new look. The stadium was home to Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire from its inaugural year 1998 until 2005.
Commenting on Soldier Field as a venue for Gold Cup 2007, CONCACAF General Secretary Chuck Blazer said, \"Chicago has a long and rich association with soccer and we are proud to be bringing the Gold Cup Semifinals and Final to the city. In the newly-rebuilt Soldier Field Chicagoans boast a venue we are confident will host a memorable climax to the Gold Cup and provide a fitting setting to whichever team claims the CONCACAF crown and a place in the next FIFA Confederations' Cup.\"
Tim LeFevour, General Manager, Soldier Field said, \"The City of Chicago, Soldier Field and SMG are excited about the opportunity to host the 2007 CONCACAF Gold CupTM semi-final and final matches at Soldier Field. We look forward to showcasing Soldier Field to the international soccer community, CONCACAF, the teams and their fans.\"
Gillette Stadium (Foxboro, Masschusetts)
One Patriot Place
Foxborough, MA 02035-1388
(508) 543-8200
www.gillettestadium.com
Inauguration: 2002
Total Seating Capacity: 68,756
2007 CONCACAF Gold CupTM:
One First Round date, (two games played as a double header)
One Quarterfinal date, (two games played as a double header)
Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. opened in 2002 on the site of famed Foxboro Stadium, one of the most popular venues in U.S. Soccer history (hosting five women's matches and 10 men's games from 1991 to 2001). The CONCACAF Gold CupTM was played at Gillette Stadium in its 2003 and 2005 editions and MLS team New England Revolution play home games in the venue. The original Foxboro Stadium hosted five games at the 1999 Women's World Cup, and it was also one of nine venues for the 1994 FIFA World Cup. The venerable old stadium also hosted the MLS Cup in 1996, 1999 and 2002 and the inaugural WUSA Founder's Cup in 2001.
Commenting on Gillette Stadium as a venue for Gold Cup 2007, CONCACAF General Secretary Chuck Blazer said, \"Gillette Stadium has proved to be a first-class soccer venue with excellent facilities and games there attract fans from across the North East of the United States. We are pleased that the venue will play an important part in a third consecutive Gold Cup.\"
Craig Tornberg, New England Revolution General Manager said, \"We're once again pleased with the selection of Gillette Stadium as a venue for the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup. It's a testament to the Kraft Family's dedication to soccer and their commitment to bringing high-level soccer events to the region. We're excited to host such a spectacular event that brings together the best squads from North America, Central America and the Caribbean and displays top-flight soccer for our great fans.\"
Reliant Stadium (Houston, Texas)
Two Reliant Park
Houston, TX 77054
(832) 667-2000
www.reliantpark.com
Inauguration: 2002
Total Seating Capacity: 69,500
2007 CONCACAF Gold CupTM:
One First Round date, (two games played as a double header)
One Quarterfinal date, (two games played as a double header)
The city of Houston has always been on the cutting edge of stadium development. Since its inauguration, Reliant Stadium quickly secured some of the most important dates in the U.S. sports arena: U.S. National Team vs. Mexico in May 2003, InterLiga 2004 through 2006, including the 2005 finals, and the Super Bowl XXXVIII in February 2004. In 2005 Reliant Stadium hosted first round games and two quarterfinals in the CONCACAF Gold CupTM, attracting over 105,000 fans across the two dates.
Commenting on Reliant Stadium as a venue for Gold Cup 2007, CONCACAF General Secretary Chuck Blazer said, \"As we saw in 2005, Houston is a fantastic city for soccer and Reliant Stadium is one of the country's finest facilities. The best-attended game of Gold Cup 2005 was played there and we are all looking forward to the games it will host in 2007.\"
David Brady, Lone Star Sports & Entertainment Director said, \"We had an incredible experience with the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2005 with more than 105,000 fans coming to Reliant Stadium in two days. The action on the field and the excitement in the stands is exactly what a world-class event like the Gold Cup is all about. We are honored to partner with CONCACAF and SUM to bring this great event back to Houston.\"
Orange Bowl (Miami, Florida)
1501 N.W. 3rd Street
Miami, Florida 33125
(305) 643-7100
www.orangebowlstadium.com
Inauguration: 1937
Total Seating Capacity: 74,177
2007 CONCACAF Gold CupTM:
Three First Round dates (six games played as double headers)
The Orange Bowl, which will be hosting the Gold Cup for a record sixth consecutive edition since its 1998 debut, has been the site of several of the country's greatest soccer matches including the 1996 Summer Olympics. Among the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers held at the Orange Bowl were Jamaica vs. Guatemala (2001) and Mexico vs. St. Kitts & Nevis (Nov. 13, 2004). Along with several international tournaments over the years, the Orange Bowl has staged international matches including USA vs. Haiti and Colombia vs. Argentina in 2004.
Commenting on the Orange Bowl as a venue for Gold Cup 2007, CONCACAF General Secretary Chuck Blazer said, \"The Orange Bowl has a long a proud asssociation with the Gold Cup and will once again draw together fans from Miami's rich and diverse population to support the Gold Cup.\"
Giants Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ)
New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority
50 State Route 120
East Rutherford, NJ 07073
(201) 935-8500
www.meadowlands.com
Inauguration: 1976
Total Seating Capacity: 80,242
2007 CONCACAF Gold CupTM:
Two First Round dates (four games played as double headers)
Giants Stadium is the home of MLS' New York Red Bulls. In 1994, Giants Stadium was a site for the 1994 FIFA World Cup, hosting seven games including a semifinal. Additional events in Giants Stadium's rich soccer history include being home of the New York Cosmos with legendary Pele in the years of the NASL, the 1999 Women's World Cup and Opening Ceremonies, the U.S. Soccer Cup and MLS All-Star Game. In recent years, FC Barcelona, Manchester United, AC Milan, Mexico, Real Madrid and Peru have all played international matches at the stadium. In 2005 Giants Stadium hosted the semifinals and final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup attracting in excess of 70,000 fans across for the two match dates.
Commenting on Giants Stadium as a venue for Gold Cup 2007, CONCACAF General Secretary Chuck Blazer said, \"Few venues have played host to as many memorable moments in world soccer as Giants Stadium, including the dramatic final of the last Gold Cup. In 2007 the venue will once again add to its long and proud association with soccer by hosting first round games of the 2007 edition of the Gold Cup.\"
George Zoffinger, President & CEO of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority said, \"The CONCACAF Gold CupTM is an integral part of our international soccer heritage. We look forward playing a part in this event next summer.\"
The Home Depot Center (Carson, California)
18400 Avalon Blvd.
Carson, CA 90746
(310) 630-2200
www.homedepotcenter.com
Inauguration: 2003
Total Seating Capacity: 27,000
2007 CONCACAF Gold CupTM:
Two First Round dates (four games played as double headers)
The state-of-the-art soccer stadium is home to Major Leagues Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy and Club Deportivo Chivas USA. The venue has hosted major national and international soccer games, including the 2003 and 2004 MLS Cup, the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup championship game and, most recently, the semi finals and final of the 2006 CONCACAF Women's Gold CupTM. The Home Depot Center is also the soccer training headquarters for the U.S. Soccer Federation National Teams and offers nine practice fields for training. The Home Depot Center was a venue for the Gold Cup in 2005.
Commenting on the Home Depot Center as a venue for Gold Cup 2007, CONCACAF General Secretary Chuck Blazer said, \"The Home Depot Center is a first-class facility that attracts a fans from across Southern California. In 2005 it was a sell-out and we are looking forward to more excitement in the largest of the new 'soccer-specific' venues built in the USA.\"
Rod O'Connor, AEG Senior Vice President & Home Depot Center General Manager, \"The Home Depot Center is thrilled to be selected to host the Men's Gold Cup 2007 for the second time in June 2007. On the heels of the CONCACAF Women's Gold CupTM this past weekend, we are continuing our commitment to elite, international soccer competition at the cathedral of soccer in southern California.\"
| GOLD CUP HISTORY | |||
| YEAR | CHAMPION | RUNNER-UP | VENUES |
| 1991 | USA | Honduras | Los Angeles, Pasadena (USA) |
| 1993 | Mexico | USA | Dallas (USA); Ciudad de México (México) |
| 1996 | Mexico | Brazil | Anaheim, San Diego, Los Angeles (USA) |
| 2000 | Canada | Colombia | San Diego, Miami, Los Angeles (USA) |
| 2002 | USA | Costa Rica | Pasadena, Miami (USA) |
| 2003 | Mexico | Brazil | Foxboro, Miami (USA); Ciudad de México (México) |
| 2005 | USA | Panama | Carson, Foxboro, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, NY/NJ, Seattle (USA) |
About CONCACAF
CONCACAF \"The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football\" is one of six continental confederations of FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) and serves as the governing body of football in this part of the world. It is composed of 40 national associations, from Canada in the north to Surinam in the south.
About the CONCACAF Gold CupTM
The CONCACAF Gold CupTM is CONCACAF's showpiece event for men's national teams as it crowns the regional champion. The USA won the inaugural competition in 1991, defeating Honduras before 40,000 fans at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum in California. Mexico then won three consecutive titles, the third in 1998 before a crowd of 91,000 in Los Angeles, before Canada won its first major international honor in more than 100 years of football history in 2000. After the USA claimed the 2002 title, Mexico returned to the top of the Confederation with their fourth crown in 2003. The 2005 edition of the CONCACAF Gold CupTM was won by the USA.
About SUM
Founded in 2002 and headquartered in New York City, Soccer United Marketing (SUM) is the largest promoter of international soccer matches in the United States. SUM entered into a partnership in Fall 2004 with CONCACAF to design and execute operations, marketing and promotional plans for the 2005 & 2007 editions of the CONCACAF Gold CupTM.
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CONTACT
Steven Torres, Media Officer
CONCACAF +1/212 308 0044
steve.torres@concacaf.org