photo by Kelley L Cox/USA Today Sports
By FRANCO PANIZO
Major League Soccer’s latest gem of a stadium will serve as the venue for next year’s All-Star Game.
Multiple sources have confirmed to SBI that Avaya Stadium, the brand-new home of the San Jose Earthquakes, will host the 2016 MLS All-Star Game. An official announcement is set to be made Thursday, and MLS commissioner Don Garber, Earthquakes president Dave Kaval and San Jose mayor Sam Liccardo are expected to be in attendance.
Avaya Stadium, which has a seating capacity of 18,000, opened earlier this year. Sources said the Earthquakes were hoping to host the All-Star Game this season, but lost out on hosting rights to the Colorado Rapids.
The Rapids will host this summer’s All-Star festivities in July, with the marquee event being the MLS All-Star Game vs. Tottenham on July 29 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
What do you think of Avaya Stadium hosting the 2016 MLS All-Star Game? Wishing the game would have returned to the East Coast?
Share your thoughts below.
Uh, which supporters are you talking about? We have a bunch here at Avaya.
I go 3-5 SJ games a year, and like the new park. The ultras seem pretty tame and are generally fairly amusing — but I’m looking though the eyes of my kids who are baffled by the singing, jumping, and shirtlessness. Only when they’re chanting obscenities does it bother me b/c then I have to explain that too!
It is an amazing stadium w/ great fans. Well other than our supporter’s group who are the biggest dipshits in soccer. They really are an embarrassment to our club. Saying that we definitely deserve the All Star Game.
When is the All-Star game usually held?
I haven’t seen this stadium live yet, but it looks really well done. Even the 18K capacity and open air end seems to work with the bar and lawn/family area.. But I live in the area (90 miles away) and might be biased.
Are people considering this place a gem?
The national TV guys, visiting teams and the USWNT all have had great things to say about it. I’m a 4th year STH, so my opinion is obviously quite biased.
Its Up for Venue of the year: http://www.stadiumbusinessawards.com/2015-shortlists-announced/
Must be doing something right…
Im a little tired of the California bias for these games. Move it somewhere else
So the newest SSS in MLS should not get the game just because it’s located in California? MLS wants to create incentives for teams to have their own stadium and the ASG is a very good incentive. Most other pro sports do something similar.
Last MLS ASG in California? 2003. Fact.
Shhh, dont burst his “bias” bubble
Good choice. Hey, weren’t we supposed to learn what the Copa America 2016 venues were this month? All it said when looking it up was May 2015…maybe this week sometime. Very curious who they end up choosing.