Dallas, Tex. - The Chairman of the Hunt Sports Group Lamar Hunt announced today that FC Dallas will increase the capacity for their August 6 stadium dedication game at Pizza Hut Park from 12,500 to 15,000. With 15,000 of the 20,000 stadium seats to be occupied, it will now bring the facility to a 75% capacity for the historic August 6 game against the MetroStars.
Statement of Hunt Sports Group Chairman Lamar Hunt
"In relation to our announcement of 19 days ago the tickets distributed number has now reached 12,500. We have worked diligently to find a way to increase our capacity. In order to accomplish this, we have secured temporary, adjacent parking rights for August 6 that allows us the opportunity to increase the capacity to 15,000. The 2,500 remaining tickets have been released today into the Ticketmaster system and are available for general public purchase.
Our thinking in having a restricted capacity is based on the fact that we want to make sure that the "audience experience" for the first game is the most enjoyable it can possibly be. This obviously includes adequate access to parking, restrooms and concession stands. We are comfortable that substantial construction progress now indicates that 75% of the restrooms and concession stands will be complete and operable for the August 6 game and it is therefore now appropriate to increase the number of spectators for the first game at Pizza Hut Park."
All 20,000 permanent seats in the seating bowl are 100% in place. The completion of the various in-stadium amenities and parking lots will be accomplished over the course of the next several weeks and we will thereafter be able to increase the effective capacity as the continuing construction completion schedule permits.
President and General Manager Greg Elliott pointed out that substantial numbers of season tickets have been sold in the last 19 days. "These tickets have been in all price ranges which include the two different 6-game plans as well as the full 12-game plan for all remaining home games - including the MLS playoffs." Elliott noted that "All season ticket account holders will also receive a first priority for MLS Cup - 2005 to be played at Pizza Hut Park on November 13". The league's 10th annual Championship Game will be played between the Champions of the league's Eastern and Western Conferences.
FC Dallas Individual game tickets are available in all price ranges from $10 to $16, $21, $23, $26 and $35 and one suite is also still available for full season lease.
