SoccerFest wrapping up Saturday with national TV broadcast
by Pima County News on Feb. 22, 2013, under FC Tucson, Kino Sports Complex, Pima County, Southern Arizona, Tourism, Tucson
After a fun and snowy evening on the third night of the Desert Diamond Cup, the end of FC Tucson SoccerFest is just around the corner and FC Tucson wants all of Tucson to send the month-long soccer extravaganza off in style.
Saturday’s FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup final between Seattle Sounders FC and Real Salt Lake will be broadcast live on the NBC Sports Network in front of a national television audience in prime time. Not only will the 6 p.m. match be the final one held in Tucson but it’ll act as the bookend of MLS’s preseason and the final push toward the start of the 2013 season.
NBC Sports Network reaches nearly 80 million homes and all those eyes will be on the Old Pueblo to catch the first national glimpse of MLS soccer in 2013. For those who live in Tucson, it’s the best chance to show America why Tucson is such a soccer-mad city.
Not only will fans have the chance to be a part of nationally televised sporting event, they’ll also experience some other great perks by attending the final:
- A Champion Will be Crowned: Who doesn’t love watching a team lift a trophy
following a game? Last season the LA Galaxy won the 2012 FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup after an exciting series of penalty kicks and then went on to win MLS Cup 2012. WillRealSaltLakeorSeattlemake this a trend? You can watch for yourself!
- One Ticket, Two Matches: The final isn’t the only great part about Saturday.
Fans purchasing a ticket for Saturday also get to watch the third-place match at 3:40 p.m. between the New York Red Bulls and the New England Revolution.
- Look to the Sky: Red Bull will be delivering the match ball for the final from the sky! That’s not a typo. The Red Bull Air Force will drop a man from a plane to deliver the match ball.
- Get $5 off Your Ticket: Fans can use the promo code “Soccerfest” to get $5 off
any seat in the stadium. The code is only good until midnight Friday, so order your tickets online at https://fctucson.ticketsocket.com/ now!
- Get Your 2013 FC Tucson Tickets: Want to buy your 2013 FCTucson
season tickets? You can! Head over to the FC Tucson/Kino Sports Complex information table on the concourse to get the 2013 FC Tucson schedule and see the renderings of FC Tucson’s new stadium for 2014. Buy 2013 season tickets now and you automatically get in line for 2014 season tickets!
- The VIP Experience: Want to get closer to the MLS action than anyone
else? Then buy some VIP seats for the final. Not only will you be sitting closer to the field than anyone but you’ll also have access to unlimited world-class catering and a free drink ticket. Plus there is an on-site bar in case your one free drink ticket isn’t enough.
- Can’t Beat the Weather: Wednesday’s snowpacolypse was fun for those
who attended. But if good weather is your thing, then it won’t get much
better than Saturday. The expected forecast is 65 degrees and clear skies.
- Start Your Engines: Audi ofTucson will be displaying their finest
vehicles in the parking lot during tailgating hours and on the field in the VIP section. If you like cars and soccer, then Saturday will be a great night for you.
- Safety First:TucsonMedicalCenter will be handing out complimentary
youth bike helmets to all the young fans in the crowd in an effort to promote health and safety in the community.
- Grab Your Gear: The Shop Tucson will be selling plenty of team gear
in the concourse during the event. Whether you’re looking for MLS gear, Desert Diamond Cup event shirts or FC Tucson jerseys (you can even get the Audi of Tucson logo on them in time for the 2013 season) you can get it all in the concourse.
- Become a Cactus Prick: Nothing makes soccer more fun than the
supporters’ culture and no supporters group is more fun than the Cactus Pricks, the supporters group for FC Tucson. If you love singing, dancing and showing your soccer passion for an entire match, then sit with the best supporters group in the Premier Development League.
There are plenty of reasons to come out to Saturday’s Desert Diamond Cup finals. But simply put: this will be a soccer party. So FC Tucson invites the community to come out and have fun on a Saturday night. It’ll be a night to remember.
About FC Tucson
FC Tucson, established in 2010, is committed to bringing the highest caliber of competitive soccer to Tucsonand establishing a successful and long-lasting source of pride for city, county, state and country. FC Tucson owns FC Tucson Soccer, Tucson’s top-level soccer team and the FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup, a Major League Soccer pre-season tournament. Our owners, coaches, players and staff will play to win in sport, business and community connection. We recognize that our quality, commitment and passion for the game will guide our success and establish deep bonds with our stakeholders as we strive to be recognized and respected locally, nationally and internationally. In 2012, FC Tucson was named the PDL Rookie Franchise of the Year. To stay up to date on what is going on with the FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup, check out the team’s website at www.fctucson.com. You can also visit the team’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FCTUCSON and follow all of the news related to FC Tucson on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FC_Tucson .
About Kino Sports Complex
Kino Sports Complex is home to both the Triple-A Tucson Padres baseball team and the FC Tucson soccer club. It is the largest professional sports and entertainment venue of its kind inPimaCounty. It includes the 11,000-seat Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium, seven baseball fields (four with lights), lighted softball fields, a regulation Soccer Stadium(lighted) and four additional fields for soccer, field hockey, rugby, and lacrosse. It is a natural fit for youth, high school, collegiate, and professional sports; and makes a great setting for social gatherings, concerts, and community events.
