Dallas, Texas - Frisco Soccer & Entertainment Center President and General Manager Greg Elliott in conjunction with Dallas Cup officials announced today that the Frisco Soccer & Entertainment Center and Dallas Cup will begin a seven-year partnership beginning with Dallas Cup XXVII from April 9-16, 2006. The feature matches during the tournament will be played in the FC Dallas 21,193 seat soccer stadium, while the vast majority of the other matches will be played at the soccer park during this eight day event.
"This partnership is further evidence that the Frisco Soccer & Entertainment Center is already fulfilling, and will continue to fulfill, its promise to be the marquee soccer facility in America," said Elliott. "The Dallas Cup is one of the best run, most prestigious youth tournaments in the world, and we are thrilled to host the event in Frisco."
The Dallas Cup currently has an annual economic impact on the greater Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex in excess of $4 million, including 6,000 hotel room nights. Once the tournament expands next year, over 236 teams will be participating, representing 4,480 players plus 1,344 team officials and over 200 referees. The additional participants will translate into another 3,000 hotel room nights bringing the tournament total to over 9,000 hotel room nights.
"Dallas Cup is excited about our future expansion plans and adding the world-class Frisco Soccer & Entertainment Center as our stadium facility for competition. The Hunt Sports Group and FC Dallas are recognized as two of the premier soccer organizations in the country and Dallas Cup is pleased to join both of these groups in Frisco," said Gordon Jago, Dallas Cup Executive Director.
Dallas Cup is the premier international youth soccer tournament in the world. In its 26 year history Dallas Cup has hosted teams from all over the United States and the world. Soccer superstars including David Beckham, Landon Donovan, DeMarcus Beasley, and Freddie Adu have participated in Dallas Cup as young amateurs. Additional information about the Dallas Cup as well as the Dallas is Diversity program can be found at www.dallascup.com.
"This is an exciting day for Frisco and all of Collin County," said Mayor of Frisco Mike Simpson. "The Dallas Cup is a premier soccer event that will be played in a new, world class soccer stadium. Not only will the Frisco Soccer and Entertainment Center be state of the art, the surrounding 17 fields will provide incredible convenience for Dallas Cup participants and fans, not to mention, the level of synergy will be unequaled."
