MLS San Jose Earthquakes

Earthquakes and 49ers Announce Partnership to Bring World-Class Soccer to South Bay

June 2, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes News Release


SANTA CLARA, CA - The San Jose Earthquakes and San Francisco 49ers, on behalf of the Santa Clara Stadium Authority, have entered into an unprecedented inter-sport partnership to promote the South Bay as a regular host of top-tier soccer events over the next five years. While the new 68,500-seat Levi's® Stadium is set to open this August, the Earthquakes are on track to begin play in their own 18,000-seat soccer-specific stadium in 2015.

The concurrent construction of these state-of-the-art neighboring venues spurred the launch of this multi-year collaboration between the Earthquakes and 49ers. When the new Earthquakes Stadium opens in 2015, the South Bay will feature two brand new stadiums with natural grass playing surfaces less than five miles apart, something no other region in the country will be able to offer.

"We are thrilled to partner with the 49ers," said Earthquakes President Dave Kaval. "The 49ers share our vision and commitment to bringing the best possible teams from around the world to the South Bay. With two first-class stadiums just miles apart, this is the perfect spot to host international soccer games."

In October 2013, the Earthquakes partnered with the 49ers and the Santa Clara Stadium Authority to announce that the first event ever at Levi's® Stadium would be its match against Seattle Sounders FC on August 2. As part of the new venture, the two organizations will collaborate on bids to bring international soccer events to both stadiums and promote the greater area as an ideal training venue for international teams to prepare for key competitions and tournaments.

"This partnership is an exciting opportunity to work alongside the Earthquakes to bring premier soccer events to the Bay Area," said 49ers President Paraag Marathe. "The region has a great deal to offer the international soccer community, most notably two beautiful, new facilities that will showcase the sport brilliantly. We look forward to offering sports fans a diverse collection of high caliber events at Levi's® Stadium."

Levi's® Stadium and the new Earthquakes Stadium will add to the existing infrastructure of the greater area that includes luxury hotels, world-class universities and training facilities, along with the hospitable weather that helped attract the United States Men's National Team to hold its recently completed training camp for the 2014 FIFA World Cup €žÂ¢ in Palo Alto at Stanford University.

"The City of Santa Clara is excited to be able to host these top-tier games at two incredible new venues in our own backyard," said Santa Clara Mayor Jamie Matthews. "It's also an exciting opportunity for the entire Bay Area, given the huge popularity of the sport."

"The new Levi's® Stadium in Santa Clara and the new Earthquakes stadium in San Jose will be state-of-the-art venues for regional, national and international sports and entertainment events," said San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed. "Silicon Valley has a proud history of hosting major sporting events and a diverse population full of enthusiastic sports fans from around the world. We look forward to hosting a wide variety of premier events in the years ahead."

Tickets for the Earthquakes' Levi's® Stadium opener remain available at LevisStadium.com.

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