The Kansas City Wizards will play the next two Major League Soccer (MLS) seasons at CommunityAmerica Ballpark (CAB) in Kansas City, Kansas. Located near the Legends at Village West and the Kansas Speedway, the stadium will provide an intimate, family-friendly atmosphere and allow for exciting pre-game and post-game activities for fans of all ages.
"The Wizards are very excited to play in Kansas," Robb Heineman, Wizards President said. "It has been great working with the Unified Government, and we believe the combination of soccer and the entertainment of Village West is a winner. We're very pleased and appreciative of the fact that John and Adam Ehlert and the Kansas City T-Bones were willing to be our partner in this interim stadium solution."
"We are delighted that tens of thousands of soccer fans will now enjoy the ambience and facilities that 1,250,000 T-Bones fans have enjoyed for the past five years," John Ehlert, owner of the T-Bones and CommunityAmerica Ballpark said.
"The Wizards soccer team is a great attraction for Kansas City. So are Village West, The Legends and CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Combining these world-class attractions is a win for soccer fans and all Kansas City residents," Kansas City, Kansas Mayor Joe Reardon said.
Part of the number one tourist attraction in the state of Kansas, CommunityAmerica Ballpark will let the Wizards build partnerships with the Legends at Village West, a destination shopping center directly east of the stadium. During the 2007 season, the Wizards participated in multiple events at the Legends, including player appearances and post-game festivities.
"Soccer is more than a spectator sport. It is experiential," Executive Vice President Greg Cotton said. "Our fans' gameday experience should include both pre-game and post-game festivities. With the Legends right next door, we have a unique opportunity to introduce our fans to this extended experience."
The Wizards are committed to creating a total entertainment experience surrounding their home games in anticipation of a soccer-specific stadium complex with an adjacent entertainment district in the team's immediate future.
"With approximately 10,000 seats, this move allows the Wizards and our fans the opportunity to be a part of a more intimate atmosphere that has not been present before," Cotton said. "We believe this is an excellent venue for showcasing our world-class athletes in at atmosphere that is exciting, energetic and fun."
All Wizards fans are encouraged to purchase season tickets for the 2008 season, as those who do will receive priority for season ticket purchases when the Wizards permanent stadium opens for the 2010 MLS season. Current season ticket holders have first priority of seat selection for the 2008 season. Wyandotte County residents will have single-game ticket purchase priority. Details are forthcoming.
"Purchase Wizards season tickets now if you don't have them already," Cotton said. "Our permanent stadium and surrounding entertainment district will be nothing short of spectacular. Now is the time to get in on the ground floor as a Wizards season ticket holder."
Temporary modifications will be made to CommunityAmerica Ballpark to accommodate the Wizards and Major League Soccer's standards of play, including an increased seating capacity. Wizards personnel are pleased with seating possibilities already present at the park.
"The premium seating options such as party decks, suites, picnic terraces and barbecue tents currently on-site will provide Wizards fans with exciting new seating options," said Wizards Vice President of Development David Ficklin, who designed the temporary stadium for the Chicago Fire in 2002-2003 and oversaw temporary installations at Super Bowls 39 and 40. "We will be able to triple the number of Fieldside Reserved seats from what we had at Arrowhead Stadium. Demand was huge for Fieldside Reserved tickets this year, as they sold out in one day upon their initial offering in 2007."
The field will be the same size as the playing surface at Arrowhead stadium with the field of play running east and west and the dirt infield sodded over before Wizards games, ensuring each match is played on a high-quality, all-grass surface.
The Wizards will accept deposits for season ticket packages beginning today, Tuesday, November 6, 2007. Call (877) 828-7222 or (913) 387-3400 to reserve tickets today.
