In The News

Houston – Lone Star Sports & Entertainment announced today that reigning English Premier League champions Manchester City will meet Liga BBVA MX powerhouse Club América in the 2022 Copa de Lone Star at NRG Stadium on Wednesday, July 20, at 7:30 p.m. CT. Tickets for this international friendly will go on sale to the public beginning on April 28. Fans can find ticket and match information at www.lsse.net/copadelonestar. Television broadcast information will be announced at a later date.

The contest will mark Manchester City’s first international friendly in over two calendar years due to COVID-19 restrictions and the club’s return to NRG Stadium after taking on Manchester United on July 20, 2017, in the first overseas Manchester derby. Club América returns to NRG Stadium for the first time since meeting F.C. Barcelona on August 9, 2006. Manchester City will play a second U.S. preseason fixture to be announced in the near future.

“We are thrilled at the opportunity to welcome these two iconic teams and their passionate fans back to Houston for one of this summer’s most exciting events,” said Greg Grissom, President of Lone Star Sports & Entertainment. “Manchester City and Club América are truly global brands. On July 20, the stage will be set at NRG Stadium for another exciting chapter in each club’s storied legacy.”

“Houston is the nation’s most diverse and inclusive city. We love sports and welcome fans worldwide to come and enjoy the electrifying atmosphere of great competition and sportsmanship,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “We are honored to be the host city for the match between these two outstanding teams. The event is guaranteed to be huge for soccer fans and a big win for the City of Houston.”

“The game of soccer is as close as we get to having an international language,” said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. “As the third largest county in America, the most diverse in the nation and a destination for people and businesses from across the globe, we are delighted to welcome these two teams to Harris County. I’m confident these teams and their fans will not soon forget the wonderful hospitality, energy, and spirit of competition our region is known for.”

Manchester City was originally founded as St. Mark’s West Gorton in 1880, later assuming its current name in 1894. The Club has secured a European Cup Winners’ Cup, seven League Championship titles, including five Premier League titles in the last seven years (2012, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2021) and six FA Cups. Manchester City is one of 11 clubs comprising the City Football Group (CFG). Under manager Pep Guardiola, one of the most highly decorated managers in world soccer, the Club plays its domestic and UEFA Champions League home fixtures at the 55,000 seat Etihad Stadium that City has called home since 2003.

“We are excited to return to the United States for this summer’s preseason trip, our first since before COVID. Our players and coaches cannot wait to play once again in-person in front of our American fans, who have shown us such great support and passion,” said Omar Berrada, Chief Football Operations Officer at City Football Group. “Our first stop will be to Houston where we will take on Club América in our first preseason exhibition match. Houston is a city we are familiar with and have had the privilege to play at NRG Stadium before. Houston welcomed us with southern hospitality when we came for preseason in 2017 and we are really looking forward to returning to see our Texan fans.”

Founded in 1916, Club América plays its home matches at the famous Estadio Azteca in Mexico City and has won a record 13 league titles, six Copa MX titles and six Campeón de Campeones cups. Club América’s 10 FIFA recognized club trophies are the most of any club in the Concacaf region, with a record seven Concacaf Champions Cup/Champions League titles, two Copa Interamericana titles and one Cocacaf Giants Cup.

“Facing a rival like Manchester City is always an exciting opportunity and we’re very thankful for the invitation,” said Santiago Baños, President of Club América. “The upcoming match on July 20 is an incredible chance for fans in the United Kingdom, United States and abroad to better get to know Mexican football, and of course this represents an amazing opportunity for the Americanistas to watch their favorite team play against an elite international opponent.”

The home of the Houston Texans and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, NRG Stadium has also hosted numerous major sporting events, including two Super Bowls, two NCAA Men’s Final Fours, Copa America Centenario, Concacaf Gold Cup and various international soccer matches the United States Women’s and Men’s National Teams, the Mexican Men’s National Team and top soccer clubs from around the world.

About Lone Star Sports & Entertainment

Lone Star Sports & Entertainment is an event management company founded in 2003 that is closely affiliated with the NFL’s Houston Texans. Since its founding, LSSE has established itself as the leading sports event promoter in Houston. In addition to producing major annual college football events like the TaxAct Texas Bowl and other leading entertainment properties, LSSE has emerged as a premier promoter for international soccer matches, including Copa America Centenario, the 2010 MLS All-Star Game featuring Manchester United, the 2006 FC Barcelona U.S. tour, the International Champions Cup, the 2003 and 2008 matches between the United States and Mexico, and the 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2019 and 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cups.

About Manchester City Football Club

Manchester City FC is an English Premier League club initially founded in 1880 as St Mark’s West Gorton. It officially became Manchester City FC in 1894 and has since then gone onto win the European Cup Winners’ Cup, seven League Championship titles, including five Premier League titles (2012, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2021), and six FA Cups. Manchester City FC is one of 11 clubs comprising the City Football Group and counts New York City FC and Melbourne City FC among its sister clubs.

Under manager Pep Guardiola, one of the most highly decorated managers in world football, the Club plays its domestic and UEFA Champions League home fixtures at the Etihad Stadium, a spectacular 55,000 seat arena that City have called home since 2003. Today, the Stadium sits on the wider Etihad Campus, which also encompasses the City Football Academy, a state-of-the-art performance training and youth development facility located in the heart of East Manchester. Featuring a 7,000 capacity Academy Stadium, the City Football Academy is also where Manchester City Women’s Football Club and the Elite Development Squad train on a daily basis and play their competitive home games.

For more information, please visit www.mancity.com.

About Club América

Founded on October 12, 1916, Club América is the largest and winningest soccer team in both Mexico and North America. The Eagles have secured 13 Liga MX titles, six Copa MX titles and one Liga MX Femenil. At the international level, Club América has won two Inter-American Cups and a record seven Concacaf Champions Cup/Champions League tiles. Playing its home games at the historic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, Club América is also heavily involved in various social responsibility initiatives and activities.

For more information, please visit www.clubamerica.com.mx.

HOUSTON (October 6, 2021) – The Houston 2026 World Cup Bid Committee today launched the Spirit of Houston campaign, underlining the city’s united, community-driven and innovative approach that sets it apart from other candidate cities. Coinciding with the reveal, at 10 a.m. CT, organizations and individuals from around Houston participated in a Spirit of Houston social ‘roadblock’ by sharing the campaign launch video on their digital channels.

Inspired by Houston’s unique spirit, the campaign is aimed at showcasing that the weight of the entire community is passionately rallying together to deliver future-focused initiatives in support of the city’s bid to host the most popular sporting event in the world.

That spirit has already brought several programs to life:

• Grow the Game initiative: forged a partnership with the U.S. Soccer Foundation on a fundraising campaign to build 30 mini-pitches; launched two grassroots programs – FreeKicks Soccer and Girls’ Intro to Soccer – with financial backing from Houston Dynamo and Dash owner Ted Segal
• Art of Soccer campaign: raised nearly $500,000 from more than 50 local businesses, which purchased and painted oversized ceramic soccer balls for display around the city
• Gateway to the World mural: seven local artists painted a 10,000-square-foot mural at one of Houston’s two international airports, with support from the Houston Airports and City of Houston
• Human Rights Committee: created a committee to oversee issues and opportunities around human rights around the World Cup, holding a series of workshops where input and ideas were conveyed from nearly 100 local human rights stakeholders
• Sustainability Committee: worked with many of Houston’s leading energy companies to develop concepts for sustainability and carbon reduction in 2026

Another marquee project under the Spirit of Houston banner will be unveiled next week, which will further harness Houston’s spirit of innovation with a creative and modern approach to legacy.

Houston 2026 President Chris Canetti said: “Houston is not only a great city with a proud history of hosting major sporting events and has full operational capabilities for the FIFA World Cup, we are a city with spirit. Through our deliberate actions, that spirit is already shining through, highlighting our region’s collective enthusiasm, commitment and investment in serving as a host city in 2026. We believe Houston’s unique spirit sets it apart from any other candidate city and ensures we will deliver a World Cup of the Future, in America's City of the Future.”

About the Houston 2026 World Cup Bid Committee
The Houston 2026 World Cup Bid Committee is leading the South Texas region’s efforts to host the FIFA World Cup 2026™. It is a subsidiary of the Harris County – Houston Sports Authority. The FIFA World Cup 2026™ will be played in 16 cities across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Houston is among 17 cities vying to become a U.S. host city. A final decision is expected in the first half of 2022.

Media Contacts
US: Lala Ismailova / Lala@jtapacific.sport / +1 323 246 1110
International: Nick Dawes / nick@jta.sport / +44 7557 435851

Video: Spirit of Houston Website: Houston2026.sport

Twitter: @Hou2026WorldCup
LinkedIn: Houston 2026 World Cup Bid Committee
Facebook: Houston 2026 World Cup
Instagram: @Houston2026WorldCup

#SpiritofHouston #Houston2026

Miami, FL (Thursday, July 29, 2021) – Concacaf has announced that the two Gold Cup Semifinal matches, to be played today, July 29 at Q2 Stadium in Austin and NRG Stadium in Houston, are officially sold out.

The matches, featuring Qatar vs United States in the first Semifinal of the day in Austin, and Mexico vs Canada in Houston, will determine the two finalists of the tournament, who will move onto the Final, to be played on Sunday, August 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. 

The region’s excitement and fandom have been on full display throughout the Confederation’s premier men’s national team tournament and will end in spectacular fashion with three sold-out matches, including the Final at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, which sold out in only 90 minutes – the fastest sellout in tournament history.

As the official hotel partner for the Gold Cup Final in Las Vegas, MGM Resorts International is offering great rates to fans attending the match via this link.

As part of the day’s festivities, fans with tickets will be urged to arrive early to avoid traffic and long waits, and to stop by the Fan Zone presented by Toyota for a chance to win premium items, play games and take a picture with the Gold Cup trophy.  

The 2021 Gold Cup will be broadcast live through the Confederation’s partner networks, including Fox Sports (USA-English), Univision (USA-Spanish), OneSoccer (Canada), Televisa (Mexico-Spanish), Futbol de Primera (USA-Spanish Radio), Teletica and Repretel (Costa Rica), Medcom and TVN (Panama), TCS (El Salvador), Televicentro (Honduras), ESPN (Central America), Flow Sports (Caribbean) and other local partners in the Caribbean, Central America and the world.

2021 is Concacaf’s 60th anniversary year and the Gold Cup is its flagship men’s competition. The first edition was played in 1991 and the 2021 edition will be the 16th Concacaf Gold Cup. Mexico is the most successful team in Gold Cup history with eight Gold Cup titles, followed by the USA with six and Canada with one. The current Gold Cup champion is Mexico who lifted the Cup in 2019 after defeating the US Men’s National Team 1-0 in a hard-fought final at Chicago’s Soldier Field. 

Contact: media@concacaf.org 

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HOUSTON, TX – Concacaf has announced the full schedule for the 2021 Gold Cup, the region’s flagship men’s national team competition. This year’s edition will include a new Preliminary Round (July 2-6) prior to the Group Stage (July 10-20) and a revamped Knockout Stage (July 24 – Aug 1). 

This summer’s Gold Cup, the 16th edition of the competition and a key part of Concacaf’s 60th anniversary celebration, will be played in 11 stadiums across eight US metropolitan areas.

“We are extremely pleased to confirm the schedule and venues for this summer’s Concacaf Gold Cup, which promises to be a celebration of football in our great region,” said Concacaf President and FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani. “2021 is Concacaf’s 60th anniversary year and we look forward with great anticipation to watching the best men’s national teams in our confederation compete for the Gold Cup title. With an exciting new format and the prospect of welcoming passionate fans to the stadiums for these compelling matchups, I can’t wait for the football to begin on July 2nd and to crown a champion in Las Vegas on August 1st,” added Montagliani. 

Prior to the start of the 2021 Gold Cup Group Stage, 12 national teams which qualified through their Concacaf Nations League (CNL) performances, will compete in the Preliminary Round (Prelims) from July 2-6, 2021. These matches will take place at DRV PNK Stadium (Fort Lauderdale, FL) and will determine the final three teams in the Gold Cup Group Stage. The six round one Prelims matches and the three round two Prelims matches were drawn in September 2020 and are available here and below. 

The Group Stage of the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup will kick off on July 10th and will run through July 20th. The 12 qualified nations, the AFC Asian Cup Champions Qatar (guest participant) and the three Prelims winners were drawn in September 2020 into four groups. 

Houston’s BBVA Stadium will welcome Group D which includes Panama, Honduras, Grenada, and guest participant and AFC Asian Cup Champions Qatar. BBVA Stadium will host three days of Group Stage doubleheaders on July 13th, July 17th, and July 20th.  

At the end of the Group Stage, the two best teams from each group will advance to the Quarterfinals with doubleheaders played on July 24th and 25th.  

Houston’s NRG Stadium will play host to one Semifinal matchup on July 29th. The venue for each specific semifinal matchup will be confirmed at the conclusion of the Group Stage.

The winners of the two semifinal matches will travel to Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium to face off in the Final on August 1.

Tickets for all Group Stage matches will go on sale to the general public on May 20 at 10:00 a.m. local, via www.GoldCup.org. for an exclusive presale opportunity. Fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance to ensure the best seats. 

Concacaf’s full announcement can be found here.

Jennifer Mamajek, HCHSA JMamajek@houstonsports.org
Zac Emmons, BBVA Stadium zemmons@houstondynamo.com
Allie LeClair, Lone Star Sports & Entertainment Allie.LeClair@houstontexans.com 

#WeAreHoustonSports

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HOUSTON, TX – The Harris County – Houston Sports Authority, in partnership with the Houston Dynamo FC, and Lone Star Sports & Entertainment, announced today that both BBVA Stadium and NRG Stadium will play host to Gold Cup matches this summer. This, the 16th edition of Concacaf's flagship men's international competition, will crown the global region's best men's national team.

"The announcement of these outstanding venues moves us a step closer to what is sure to be a great Gold Cup this summer," said Concacaf President and FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani. "It is fitting that in our 60th anniversary year we will use a number of stadiums with a rich history of hosting Concacaf football, while also making history with new venues that will host Gold Cup matches for the very first time."

Houston is one of only seven metropolitan markets selected to welcome matches in the 2021 edition of the tournament. Houston's elite facilities, BBVA Stadium and NRG Stadium, account for two of the eleven host venues from around the country awarded matches.

"We are a major sports destination with the best fans in the nation," said Harris County – Houston Sports Authority CEO Janis Burke. "The fact that we have two fabulous venues capable of successfully hosting multiple Gold Cup matches is a true testament to how special our community has become in the global sports realm. Houston is a host candidate for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and being a cornerstone in this marquee international tournament supports our bid efforts."

This announcement marks the fifth time BBVA Stadium has taken part in the Gold Cup, having been a part of every edition since it opened its doors in 2012.

"We are thrilled to host the region's premier national team competition at BBVA Stadium," Executive Vice President and General Manager of BBVA Stadium, Juan Rodriguez, said. "We are honored to host multiple matchdays and committed to creating a memorable, safe and enjoyable experience for teams and fans alike."

NRG Stadium has played host to some of the most well-attended matches in tournament history, including a sold-out quarterfinal doubleheader in 2019.

"We are honored NRG Stadium has been selected to serve as a host venue for the Concacaf Gold Cup for the sixth time in its storied history," said Lone Star Sports and Entertainment General Manager David Fletcher. "This will be yet another tremendous opportunity for our city to celebrate The Beautiful Game and welcome fans from around the world to our community this summer."

The 2021 Gold Cup will officially kick off with a new Preliminary Round where 12 nations who qualified through their Concacaf Nations League performances will compete for the final three spots in the 16 team Gold Cup Group Stage. The Round One and Two Prelims matchups were drawn on September 10, 2020. The Group Stage will kick off on July 10, and the Final will be played on August 1 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

To receive information about the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup, including schedules, kick-off times, and other details, sign up here.

#WeAreHoustonSports

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