SALT LAKE CITY - Real Salt Lake Owner David W. Checketts was joined today by Real Madrid executives Emilio Butragueno and Ivan Bravo Martin, along with University of Utah President Michael Young and Vice President Arnie Combe today to announce that Rice-Eccles Stadium will host legendary Spanish club Real Madrid in an international friendly slated for Saturday, August 12, kicking off at 7:30 p.m. MT.
"Real Madrid is the premier soccer team in the world, and we are elated to welcome them to our home," said Checketts. "Since our inception, we have been working to bring them to Utah. We will once again install a grass surface at Rice-Eccles Stadium for this historic game, giving our season-ticket holders the first opportunity to see one of the world's great soccer clubs."
RSL "Clients First!" ticket policy: Current RSL Season Seat/Flex Plan Owners can purchase up to ten additional Real Madrid tickets for each seat now owned. Those who have half-season plans can purchase up to ten RM tickets for each full season equivalent. Call RSL at (866) 9-SOCCER for additional details, or visit www.RealSaltLake.com to purchase a Flex Plan - 20 RSL tickets, to use at any regular-season game, plus one Real Madrid ticket!
Those who are not currently one of the more than 6,000 RSL clients have two options: 1) purchase an RSL Flex Plan; or 2) bring a group of 100 or more to Real Madrid and an additional Real Salt Lake regular-season game. Under the RSL "Clients First!" policy, the additional Real Madrid tickets are available at the following prices: (Center Midfield $109; Touchline - $79; Corner Flag - $49; Golazo - $29). Luxury suites are also available for the historic match right now! If you're interested in entertaining clients and/or friends in a first-class setting, call Andy Cho at 801-924-8561.
"On behalf of Real Madrid, let me say that we are very excited to go to Salt Lake," said Real Madrid Vice President of Sport Emilio Butragueno. "The relationship with Real Salt Lake is excellent. We know this is the first step in a long-term partnership. We will put on a great show for the fans in Salt Lake, and we will bring our best players. Everyone involved is looking forward to the experience."
Rice-Eccles Stadium, located on the campus of the University of Utah and nestled in foothills of the picturesque Wasatch mountain range just blocks east of downtown Salt Lake City, is the home of Real Salt Lake, hosting nearly two dozen Major League Soccer events per year. In 2002, the recently renovated, 48,000-seat venue was the site for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Winter Games. At an elevation of 4,657 feet, the stadium underwent a $50 million renovation, completed in September 1998, and is also the home for University of Utah football, as well as various concerts and events.
Last June, Rice-Eccles Stadium hosted the enormously successful World Cup Qualifier between the United States and CONCACAF rival Costa Rica, a game won decisively by the U.S., 3-0. On a grass field in front of 40,589 fans, U.S. star Landon Donovan and manager Bruce Arena enjoyed what both called as the most distinctive home-field advantage in U.S. Soccer history.</p>
On Friday, May 26, the Real Madrid Board of Directors ratified an agreement that will bring the club to Utah for its lone U.S. preseason appearance. The team known worldwide as 'Los Galacticos' - the 'World Stars" - will spend time in Salt Lake.
"This is yet another step by our franchise that shows our commitment to bringing events to this community," continued Checketts, noting the cooperation of several entities, including the Office of the Governor, the Utah Sports Commission, the RSL corporate partners and the Utah Youth Soccer Association, in working together to celebrate Utah's burgeoning soccer culture. "This will stimulate economic growth from visitors outside of Utah and literally bring international attention to the state. Like the United States Men's National Team's World Cup Qualifier last year, which brought in $13 million in economic revenue from visitors that came from outside of Utah, the Real Madrid match will benefit all parties involved. I am highly optimistic that the citizens of this community will recognize the magnitude of this event and I hope that their support will reflect that."
"During the past year, Utah has shown itself to have a passionate and deep fan base for soccer," said MLS Deputy Commissioner Ivan Gazidis. "Real Madrid is one of the world's true 'SuperClubs,' packed with stars from around the world. I am delighted at Real Salt Lake's commitment to bring this kind of world-class entertainment to their home region and I know that the fans in Utah will support this unprecedented event. I also know that the RSL players will relish the challenge."</p>
Three current RSL players - FW Jason Kreis, FW Jeff Cunningham and MF Douglas Sequeira - competed against Real Madrid last August, representing a team of select MLS players in the Trofeo Santiago Bernabeu, a preseason tournament held on 27 occasions, usually just prior to Real Madrid's kickoff to the La Liga season. The MLS Select Team, convening in New York, flying to Madrid and holding just one practice session, dropped the game 5-0.</p>
"This event is very special for everyone involved, from the players to the fans; everyone should be excited at the prospect of the world's most recognizable soccer club visiting Utah," said RSL captain and forward Jason Kreis. "I hope that everyone takes advantage of this incredible opportunity and relishes in the chance to see some of the greatest players that have ever played the game.</p>
"From a player's perspective, the chance to see how you measure up to a team of this caliber is very exciting," continued Kreis. "Real Madrid is a club that we all watch week after week and I think I can speak for the entire team when I say we are all excited to share the field with this hallowed franchise. Obviously we will take the challenge very seriously and do our best to represent the Real Salt Lake badge with a great deal of pride."
Fans are encouraged to call 866-9-SOCCER for more information; the best way to guarantee seats for this historic event is to become an RSL season ticket holder. Current RSL Full Season Seat Owners and Flex Buyers have this game included in their package, as bonus ticket A. Presently, the ONLY way to get this historic event is to be a Full Season Owner already or by purchasing pro-rated season seats and/or RSL Flex Plans. Current Half Season owners are invited to upgrade to a Full Season or Flex Package to guarantee their seats for August 12.
"A game of this magnitude represents a tremendous opportunity for our fans to see a club with such a sterling reputation like Real Madrid," said RSL Head Coach John Ellinger. "I think what this really demonstrates is that we, as an organization, are committed to bringing big-time international games to Utah every year. I can only imagine how exciting this must be for the local soccer community; Real Madrid themselves will be taken back about how passionate soccer fans are here in Utah. I've said it before and I'll say it again, the passion and enthusiasm the soccer community here possesses is unsurpassed in the United States. This game will only confirm that." </p>
