Sun Devil Athletics teams with Phoenix FC on stadium agreement


Phoenix FC to play inaugural season at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium

Arizona State University announced early this morning that Phoenix FC, a franchise member of the USL PRO professional soccer league, has signed on for a stadium agreement for the 2013 inaugural season. The team will play home games at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium in Tempe beginning this spring.

As part of the deal, Phoenix FC will invest to significantly expand seating capacity by more than 4,000 additional seats, taking the total capacity to more than 5,000 seats. Designs include the addition of North, South and East seating areas, with the South side reserved for a “Supporters Section” dedicated to the most avid fans. Phoenix FC has already purchased the additional seating with construction slated to begin next month, and it will be completed before the team begins professional play in April.

“We are excited to partner with the City of Tempe to host professional soccer at Arizona State University,” said Steve Patterson, vice president of university athletics. “We will provide a first-class soccer stadium for Phoenix FC to play its home matches. Our women’s soccer program has been in the NCAA Tournament three of the past four seasons and as soccer grows in the state, a partnership with Phoenix FC is a natural way to maintain that momentum.”

With this location, near the northeast corner of University Drive and Rural Road, Phoenix FC looks to make an immediate impact and draw sell-out crowds of soccer enthusiasts across Arizona. The team will play 15 home games between April and September of 2013, joining the USL PRO’s Los Angeles Blues as the two premiere western franchises. Additionally, the club will play exhibition matches against MLS clubs and International teams, and compete in the 100th edition of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in May of 2013.

For more information about Phoenix FC visit PhoenixFC.com.