2016 Copa America coming to the US in 2016 - Might Jacksonville have a chance?

[johnnyliar]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/soccer-insider/wp/2014/05/01/copa-america-coming-to-u-s-in-16/

From the Washington Post:

U.S. venues interested in hosting matches will submit bids, with large markets such as New York, Los Angeles, Washington, Chicago, Dallas and Miami among the natural favorites. The tournament will run June 3-26.

Anyone think those giant score boards might help us out on this one?

[Ajax]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/soccer-insider/wp/2014/05/01/copa-america-coming-to-u-s-in-16/

From the Washington Post:

U.S. venues interested in hosting matches will submit bids, with large markets such as New York, Los Angeles, Washington, Chicago, Dallas and Miami among the natural favorites. The tournament will run June 3-26.

Anyone think those giant score boards might help us out on this one?

That's what I'm hoping.  This tournament is going to be huge, and if we could get lucky enough to get Brazil, Argentina, Colombia or Chile (among others)...that would put some heads in beds.  As much as I'd love to see the US team play here again, Jacksonville could do really well even if we got a game or two that don't involve the USMNT. 

[Todd_Parker]

Have there been any updates on ticket sales for the US/Nigeria match? If we can match or beat the attendance from the last USMNT appearance (Scotland), it would certainly bode well.

[pierre]

Would be huge and I have no doubt that we will pursue the chance.

The city is getting a great rep as a soccer town. I love it.

[Ajax]

Have there been any updates on ticket sales for the US/Nigeria match? If we can match or beat the attendance from the last USMNT appearance (Scotland), it would certainly bode well.

I heard a couple of weeks ago that they had sold around 20,000.  This game *should* outsell the Scotland game, since it will be the full World Cup roster and the last game before they fly to Brazil.  It should attract people from all over the southeast.  Hopefully ticket sales will start picking up soon. 

[JaxByDefault]

It would help if the city would get on board publicizing the game as part of a larger event. It's a big deal in the rest of the footballing world to host a send-off. We should be throwing a party (One Spark After Dark style, perhaps?) People who are thinking of traveling for the game want to know there are things to do before and afterward. It's a good shot at national media coverage and I feel like JAX is just letting it slip by.

That said, I really expected better ticket sales for this match than this. It should sell 50k.

Will be interesting to see how Fulham tickets sell here ... especially considering they are unlikely to be Premiership much longer.

[JayBird]

It would help if the city would get on board publicizing the game as part of a larger event. It's a big deal in the rest of the footballing world to host a send-off. We should be throwing a party (One Spark After Dark style, perhaps?) People who are thinking of traveling for the game want to know there are things to do before and afterward. It's a good shot at national media coverage and I feel like JAX is just letting it slip by.

Couldn't agree more. Actually, this is becoming a very BIG weekend.

Thursday, June 5th-Saturday, June 7th Florida Powerboat Club Jacksonville River Rally Poker Run (Hyatt/Metro Park)
Friday, June 6th 7:05pm Jacksonville Suns vs Tennessee Smokies (BB Grounds of Jax)
Saturday, June 7th-Sunday, June 8th USA Superstock P1 National Championship Race (St Johns River)
Saturday, June 7th 3:05pm Jacksonville Suns vs Tennessee Smokies (BB Grounds of Jax)
Saturday, June 7th 6:30pm US vs Nigeria Soccer Tournament (EverBank Field)
Saturday, June 7th 7pm Jacksonville Sharks vs Spokane Shock (Veterans Memorial Arena)
Sunday, June 8th 3:05pm Jacksonville Suns vs Tennessee Smokies (BB Grounds of Jax)

It will actually feel like a real downtown that weekend! Also, it's first weekend of the month so if that Riverside Trolley is still doing its trials then, maybe they can be persuaded to at least extend to Bay Street/Hyatt. All would win with that.