Doubleheader tickets
HOUSTON, TX - Lone Star Sports and Entertainment, along with the Houston Dynamo, announced today that ticket sales for the FC Barcelona On Tour USA 2006 are shaping up to bring one of the biggest sporting events in Houston history and one of the largest soccer crowds in Texas history.
The doubleheader on Wednesday, August 9 features FC Barcelona, the top soccer club in the world and current European Champions (UEFA), in a match versus Club America of Mexico City. In the first game of the night, the Houston Dynamo will face the Los Angeles Galaxy in an MLS match.
As of Thursday morning, August 3, ticket sales had reached over 50,000 and the pace of sales over the past few days indicate that this event will possibly reach close to the all-time Texas record for a soccer match. The top soccer crowd in Texas history also occurred at Reliant Stadium in April, 2003, when 69,582 fans watched the United States and Mexico play to a 0-0 draw. The second-largest crowd in Texas was a World Cup match featuring Holland and Brazil at the Cotton Bowl in 1994 with 63,998 fans.
"Soccer fans traditionally purchase tickets the week of the match, so we feel very confident that this match will see a huge crowd to welcome the European Champions, Club America and the MLS teams", commented Lone Star Sports and Entertainment President Jamey Rootes. "We are encouraging any and all fans who have not purchased tickets to do so immediately to guarantee that they have a seat for this spectacular doubleheader."
Dynamo President Oliver Luck emphasized the importance of this event. "We are excited to promote this level of soccer in Houston," Luck said. "For us (Dynamo), it is a great opportunity to provide soccer fans in Houston with the best brand of soccer in the U.S., Mexico and Europe."
FC Barcelona, coached by Dutch midfield legend Frank Rijkaard and recognized for its spectacular brand of attacking soccer, features some of the world's greatest players, including two-time FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldinho (Brazil), Mexican captain Rafael Marquez, 18-year-old sensation Lionel Messi (Argentina), and African Player of the Year Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon). Also in the club's ranks are a host of players who will represent their countries in the 2006 FIFA World Cup: Carles Puyol (Spain), Deco (Portugal) and Mark Van Bommel (Holland).
Tickets are available through TicketMaster outlets including all Foley's and Fiesta Stores, on-line at www.ticketmaster.com, in person at Reliant Stadium and by phone at 713-629-2109.
