MIAMI, CMC – Two new United States venues have been named to host matches in next year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup, which will also see fixtures in the Caribbean for the first time ever.
Organisers on Friday released the names of 15 venues across the US, with the Banc of California Stadium in the heart of Los Angeles, and Allianz Field in St Paul, Minnesota set to make their debut in the biennial tournament.
“The Gold Cup is anticipated every two years by fans across the region, as a true celebration of the vibrant culture and world class football that make up our wonderful and diverse One CONCACAF region,” said president Victor Montagliani.
“The venues selected thus far offer a mix of soccer history as well as a taste of the future of the sport in the U.S., and we are excited to work with the local host committees to bring the game to fans all over the U.S.
“With the upcoming selection of additional venues in the Caribbean and Central America, the Gold Cup becomes a regional event on even more levels, as CONCACAF continues to focus on making football accessible to more teams, players and fans.”
Levi’s Stadium in the San Francisco Bay Area, which hosted the 2017 final between United States and Jamaica, has been left off the list.
However, Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, which hosted the 2015 final, has been included along with Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte and the BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston.
Venues for matches carded for Central America and the Caribbean will be announced in coming months, CONCACAF said.
Next year’s tournament will see the complement of teams expanded from 12 to 16 for the first time ever. Trinidad and Tobago, along with the five other teams which reached the final round of World Cup qualifying – Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, Panama and United States – have all qualified automatically.
However, two-time finalists Jamaica will be among 34 sides vying for the remaining 10 spots, when the inaugural CONCACAF Nations League kicks off with qualifiers in September.
