Major League Soccer announced today that Red Bull Arena, home of the New York Red Bulls, will host the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star Game on July 27 at 8:30 pm ET. MLS Commissioner Don Garber will join LA Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan and New York Red Bulls forward Thierry Henry to discuss the announcement via media teleconference call today at 3:30 pm ET. Video interviews, b-roll and the All-Star logo can be downloaded for news purposes at www.MLSAllStarMedia.com.
This year's All-Star Game will mark the third time the metropolitan New York area has hosted the mid-summer showcase; the inaugural MLS All-Star Game in 1996 and the second in 1997 were played at Giants Stadium. The 25,000-seat, state-of-the-art Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey has played host to multiple friendlies between the Red Bulls and international clubs, along with select national team matches, but the 2011 AT&T MLS All-Star Game will be the first marquee MLS event at the $200 million venue.
All Red Bulls Plan Holders will receive priority access to purchase seats to the All-Star Game prior to the General Public, with Full Season Plan Holders having the first opportunity, followed by 10-Game and 5-Game Plan Holders. Full Season Plan Holders will also receive a discount on a limited number of All Star Game tickets. Full details of pricing and purchasing windows will be released at a later date.
For the eighth time, the MLS All-Stars will face a high-profile international club. Past All-Star Games have featured opponents such as Manchester United, Celtic, Chelsea, and Chivas de Guadalajara. The 2011 All-Star Game opponent will be announced at a later date.
"The combination of one of the most spectacular stadiums of its size in the world with the passionate soccer supporters in the metropolitan New York area will provide a terrific showcase for our All-Star Game," Garber said. "Red Bull Arena will be a tremendous venue for this marquee event and we are pleased to bring the All-Star Game to an area with a rich soccer tradition."
Twelve different markets have hosted the All-Star Game, but only three have hosted it twice - New York, Washington, D.C. and Columbus, Ohio.
"We are excited to host Major League Soccer's summer marquee event at Red Bull Arena," said Erik Stover, Managing Director of the New York Red Bulls. "The AT&T MLS All-Star Game gives us a great opportunity to welcome the national and international soccer family to our market and showcase our facility in what we fully expect to be the greatest All-Star Game in League history."