Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY / BOULDER, CO (Thursday, September 11, 2008) - Real Salt Lake President Bill Manning today announced that the team's new Stadium, the state-of-the-art sports and entertainment venue in Sandy, Utah, will host a USA Rugby doubleheader featuring teams from New Zealand, Uruguay and the United States on Saturday, November 8.
The day of rugby kicks off at 1:15 p.m. MT with the U.S. Select XV Team versus New Zealand Heartland. The main event, which will boast the United States and Uruguay National Teams, will kick off at 4:00 p.m. MT.
"We are extremely delighted to have USA Rugby as one of our first guests at the new Stadium in Sandy," said Manning. "The sport of rugby has always enjoyed a strong following in our state, and we are excited to showcase this venue as a home for another U.S. National Team, not only for this match, but for years to come."
Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer opens the venue on Thursday, October 9, with its final two 2008 regular-season games - Thursday, October 9 vs. New York (8:00 p.m. MT) and Saturday, October 18 vs. FC Dallas (7:00 p.m. MT) - with today's USA Rugby announcement marking the second non-soccer event to be unveiled for the Stadium in the last two weeks, as the Sandy venue will host the Fifth Annual Zions Bank Top of the Mountains Bowl, slated for Saturday, December 6, 2008, at 12:00 noon MT.
"Having the opportunity to play two games in a great stadium brings added value to the experience," USA Rugby CEO and President of Rugby Nigel Melville said. "When I visited Utah earlier this year, the community was extremely passionate about the sport and keen to host this match. Considering the amount of National Team members that have come out of this area and the amount of support from their rugby community, it goes without saying that we would be extremely interested in developing a strong relationship with Real Salt Lake and its beautiful new Stadium."
Tickets to the USA Rugby doubleheader begin at $15 (end zone seating); other categories are $25 (lower sideline), $40 (VIP) and $75 (premium), and go on sale to the general public on Friday, September 19. In the meantime, please visit www.usarugby.org/goto/usa_doubleheader for more information on the matches. For more information on the Stadium or for ticket information, please visit www.RSLstadium.com or call 801-924-8585. Prior to the event being on public sale, Real Salt Lake season ticket holders as well as USA Rugby members will have an exclusive window to purchase their respective seats for this event.
About Real Salt Lake Stadium
Real Salt Lake Stadium is a state-of-the-art, sports and entertainment facility in Utah, providing a stunning new home for the franchise and an energetic setting for its emerging fan base, one with breathtaking views of both the Oquirrh and Wasatch Mountain ranges.
The Stadium, host of the 2009 MLS All-Star Game, is a new class of venue in the InterMountain West, attracting events that would not otherwise visit Utah, bolstering the state's reputation as an international sporting destination. The diversity of events attracted to the Stadium brings significant media attention, positively impacts tourism efforts and creates numerous job opportunities on both permanent and seasonal bases.
Located in Sandy, Utah, at the heart of the Wasatch Front, the Stadium is conveniently accessed from major transportation arteries Interstate-15 as well State Street, between 9000 South and 9400 South. The venue resides just 15 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City and 25 minutes from SLC International Airport. The world-class venue seats 20,000 people for various sporting events, including Major League Soccer games, with capacity rising to 25,000 for concerts and other events. Stadium amenities include 32 luxury suites, a 2,000-square foot Stadium Club, 1,000 club seats, five locker rooms, a 60-foot Video Board, and ribbon LED boards on both the east and west fascia.
The Stadium opens its doors for the first time to the public on Thursday, October 9, 2008, when it hosts the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer action LIVE on ESPN2 before an international audience. Other event days include: Saturday, October 18, 7:00 p.m. vs. FC Dallas, LIVE on Fox Soccer Channel; the Saturday, November 8 USA Rugby doubleheader; and the Saturday, December 6 "Top of the Mountains" American Football Bowl Game.
