Copa America Centenario USA 2016: 24 Metropolitan Areas Interested in Hosting
By Phil Naegely
U.S. Soccer announced on Thursday that 24 areas have expressed interest in hosting during the Copa America Centenario USA 2016. This is the first time that the Copa America will take place outside South America and is the celebration of centenary of CONMEBOL and Copa América. The tournament will take place between June 3rd-26th 2016 and is included on the FIFA Calendar.
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The stadiums being considered must have capacity of more than 50,000. This means that no soccer-specific stadiums will be used. Usually, trying to use big stadiums for soccer matches is not wise, but the Copa America in 2016 should draw big crowds as it features some of the world’s top teams and players. The deadline to submit bids for possible hosting rights is March 16,2015 and the winning hosts cities and areas will be announced in May. Between eight and 13 stadiums will be chosen to host the historic tournament.
The Copa America Centenario is sandwiched by the 2015 Gold Cup and 2017 Gold Cup and that should add to the tournament’s excitement and will show how the USA can host a big-time soccer event.
"“We are looking forward to taking the first step in the organization of this historic event that will unite the Americas and the world in 2016,” said CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb. “The unique opportunities that we have with the Centennial Cup America, flanked by the 2015 and 2017 Gold Cups will help set the stage to demonstrate how our region is ready to welcome back another FIFA World Cup in 2026.”"
U.S. Soccer president echoed Webb’s excitement for hosting the Centennial Cup America.
“The interest level from cities across the nation has been phenomenal,” said U.S. Soccer
"President Sunil Gulati. “Everyone understands the tournament will be a huge event during the summer of 2016, and it’s exciting to see all of these cities putting together bids to be involved. With over 18 months until the tournament starts, we already are starting to see the impact and interest the tournament will have with soccer fans across the United States.”"
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As per a U.S. Soccer press release, “The 2016 Copa America Centenario will feature six teams from the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) and all 10 teams from the Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol (CONMEBOL): Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.”
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From the CONCACAF, the USA and Mexico have automatically qualified, while Costa Rica (2014 Copa Centroamericana winner) and Jamaica (2014 Caribbean Cup winner) qualified this fall. There will be a playoff between the remaining top four 2015 Gold Cup teams to decide the other two CONCACAF teams.
The 24 areas are listed below by region.
- Arizona (1): Phoenix
- California (3): Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco
- Colorado (1): Denver
- District of Columbia (1): Washington, D.C.
- Florida (3): Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa
- Georgia (1): Atlanta
- Illinois (1): Chicago
- Indiana (1): Indianapolis
- Maryland (1): Baltimore
- Massachusetts (1): Boston
- Michigan (1): Detroit
- Missouri (2): Kansas City, St. Louis
- New York/New Jersey (1): Greater New York
- Ohio (1): Cleveland
- Pennsylvania (1): Philadelphia
- Tennessee (1): Nashville
- Texas (2): Dallas, Houston
- Washington (1): Seattle