MLS Minnesota United FC

Allianz Field Selected as Venue to Host 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup

Published on May 15, 2018 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Minnesota United FC News Release


SAINT PAUL, Minn. - The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association of Football (Concacaf) today announced that Allianz Field has been selected as a host venue of the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup next July. Allianz Field is one of 15 venues in 13 major cities across the United States to be selected to host matches in the 2019 edition of the Gold Cup.

The Concacaf Gold Cup is the region's premier soccer championship, crowning the best national team in North, Central America and the Caribbean and featuring some of the hemisphere's best players and teams.

Further details - including the dates for Gold Cup matches scheduled for each group stage city; complete groups and schedule, including selection of dates and assignment of matches for the knockout round; and the awarding of the Final - will be announced at a later date.

To date, the six national teams that participated in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Hexagonal qualifier round - Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States - have automatically qualified for the 2019 Gold Cup. Ten additional nations will qualify through Concacaf's Nations League Qualifiers, to be played on FIFA match dates in September, October and November of 2018, and March of 2019.

The host venue, Allianz Field, broke ground in May of 2017 and is expected to be completed in February 2019. The 19,400-capacity seat stadium is more than 50% complete to date and installation of the Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) exterior skin will begin this week. The privately-financed, soccer-specific stadium features a 2,800-capacity safe-standing supporters section with a 34-degree grade that will create a wall of fans behind the south goal.

Taking place every two years, the Concacaf Gold Cup is the official national team championship of the region, which includes North and Central America and the Caribbean. Drawing large crowds and millions of television viewers across the region, the Gold Cup is a celebration of soccer, sportsmanship and culture.

2019 MNUFC Season Ticket Holders will be offered a pre-sale to purchase tickets for the event. More details to come in the fall of 2018.

*Photo (left to right) Governor Mark Dayton, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, ESPN Broadcaster Taylor Twellman, Concacaf Deputy General Secretary Jurgen Mainka, MNUFC Captain Francisco Calvo

GOLD CUP QUOTES:

Concacaf President Victor Montagliani: "The Gold Cup is anticipated every two years by fans across the region, as a true celebration of the vibrant culture and world class football that make up our wonderful and diverse One Concacaf region. The venues selected thus far offer a mix of soccer history as well as a taste of the future of the sport in the U.S., and we are excited to work with the local host committees to bring the game to fans all over the U.S. With the upcoming selection of additional venues in the Caribbean and Central America, the Gold Cup becomes a regional event on even more levels, as Concacaf continues to focus on making football accessible to more teams, players and fans."

MNUFC CEO Chris Wright: "This opportunity to host Gold Cup matches at Allianz Field is a testament to the fans of Minnesota and their support for the world's game - at every level. I am confident that this stadium will be a fortress, not just for Minnesota United, but for U.S. teams as well. Our hope is that this is just the first of many national and international soccer events that will find a home at Allianz Field."

Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton: "Minnesotans are excited to welcome soccer fans from throughout the United States and the world to cheer for the U.S. Men's national team and some of the world's other most talented players. The Gold Cup Match at Allianz Field will showcase all that Minnesota has to offer, including fine dining and nightlife, rich cultural amenities, and abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. Scarves up!"

Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter: "The Gold Cup is bringing the world's game to Saint Paul's world stage. I'm excited to highlight our city and showcase the vitality Allianz Field will bring to our community."

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey: "Soccer has always brought people together from different cultures and backgrounds across the Twin Cities. Thanks to the new Allianz Field in St. Paul, soccer will now bring these different people together from across the continent. This Gold Cup game will be the biggest soccer game in Minnesota history and puts us on the radar of the US Men's and Women's National Teams."

Executive Director of Sports Minneapolis, and President and CEO of Meet Minneapolis, Melvin Tennant: "Securing the Concacaf Gold Cup for 2019 is a great way to show off our newest, state-of-the-art venue, Allianz Field, and it provides us with another tremendous opportunity to demonstrate how Minneapolis/St. Paul is a world-class destination - both for sports and tourism. Sports Minneapolis will continue working with our partners, like Minnesota United, to bring additional, large-scale sporting events to our region."

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