With the opening of Avaya Stadium earlier this year in San Jose, California, the MLS announced Thursday morning that the 2016 AT&T MLS All-Star Ga
With the opening of Avaya Stadium earlier this year in San Jose, California, the MLS announced Thursday morning that the 2016 AT&T MLS All-Star Game would be played at the newly opened stadium.
The San Jose Earthquakes began to play at Avaya Stadium at the beginning of this season, with the construction of the stadium being funded by owner Lewis Wolff. The stadium seats a capacity of 18,000 people and became the 15th soccer-specific stadium in the United States upon its opening in March. Located outside of downtown San Jose and adjacent to the San Jose International Airport, the stadium offers its fans with high-end WIFI and interactive digital displays throughout the arena.
[quote_box_center]“We are pleased to bring the AT&T MLS All-Star Game to San Jose and know that Avaya Stadium and the Earthquakes’ passionate supporters will provide a vibrant and electric setting for this marquee event,” stated MLS Commissioner Don Garber.[/quote_box_center]
San Jose hosted the All-Star game one other time in 2001, which saw the game end in a draw at 6-6. The format has changed since then, with the All-Star team facing an international club in recent years. The upcoming All-Star game at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Colorado features English opponent Tottenham and will see a similar top European team take on the MLS All-Stars next summer. The annual showcase is also expected to feature the Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game that sees the best homegrown players across the league play in a match against a semi-professional opponent.
The 21st annual showcase will be played next summer and will be featured on television channels such as ESPN, Univision and TSN.
