US-Nigeria Soccer Friendly in Jax Announcement

[fsquid]

I really think a 60k crowd is necessary for us to own a primary roster spot for southeast games and be part of the next WC bid as a group-stage host city. (That last part would also require city officials not dropping the ball on the bid-list, like they did last time.)

don't we need more hotels for WC games?

[Tacachale]

Lets hit 50 then we'll worry about 60. Our 44k was the largest in the Southeast, and our topping it would gigantic. I think any WC bid is going to include a Southeast city, and that really comes down to us or Atlanta for large venue soccer.

Agreed. 44k is a lot of people watching soccer. Here's hoping we can match or beat that.

[Gamblor]

I really think a 60k crowd is necessary for us to own a primary roster spot for southeast games and be part of the next WC bid as a group-stage host city. (That last part would also require city officials not dropping the ball on the bid-list, like they did last time.)

don't we need more hotels for WC games?

I'm not sure. WC have a long history of having problems like shortages of hotel rooms, and I don't know the requirements, but any WC bid would at earliest be 2026, so.... We have sometime.

[ProjectMaximus]

Lets hit 50 then we'll worry about 60. Our 44k was the largest in the Southeast, and our topping it would gigantic. I think any WC bid is going to include a Southeast city, and that really comes down to us or Atlanta for large venue soccer.

How do you figure it's us vs Atlanta?

I really think a 60k crowd is necessary for us to own a primary roster spot for southeast games and be part of the next WC bid as a group-stage host city. (That last part would also require city officials not dropping the ball on the bid-list, like they did last time.)

don't we need more hotels for WC games?

I'm not sure. WC have a long history of having problems like shortages of hotel rooms, and I don't know the requirements, but any WC bid would at earliest be 2026, so.... We have sometime.

Everbank/Jacksonville were one of I think 60 or 70 venues invited to apply to join the US bid. I think Gainesville, Tampa, Orlando and Miami were all invited as well. The quality/size of Everbank + giant scoreboards + maybe more mild climate vs South Florida might give us a chance, but there are lots of things we'll have to straighten out just to be considered.

[Gamblor]

Because we and Atl have the strongest history with USMNT of large venues in the more traditional/conservative southeast. I should have explained more thoroughly, but that's why I didn't include Miami and TB

[blizz01]

Orlando was a host city in 1994 and the Citrus Bowl is going through a $200 Million dollar overhaul.

[JaxByDefault]

Yes, we need more hotels for WC games.  We may be able to swing group stage matches with a coordinated transit plan.

Direct flights are also a hang-up.

We made the shortlist for the last bid, but no one high up in the city seemed to even know until some soccer fans brought it to their attention. By and large, it didn't seem to impress the folks then at city hall --and by that I mean one city official openly said (to paraphrase) that soccer "wouldn't bring anything to JAX because no one here cares." Their ears perked up when a  few locals started dropping cold numbers about potential economic impact. Thankfully, I don't think the reaction now would be the same if the bid committee came knocking again.

[ProjectMaximus]

Yes, we need more hotels for WC games.  We may be able to swing group stage matches with a coordinated transit plan.

Direct flights are also a hang-up.

We made the shortlist for the last bid, but no one high up in the city seemed to even know until some soccer fans brought it to their attention. By and large, it didn't seem to impress the folks then at city hall --and by that I mean one city official openly said (to paraphrase) that soccer "wouldn't bring anything to JAX because no one here cares." Their ears perked up when a  few locals started dropping cold numbers about potential economic impact. Thankfully, I don't think the reaction now would be the same if the bid committee came knocking again.

It's one thing if they thought assembling an application wouldn't be worth the effort because our chances were too low. But to not think that being a host city would be a huge boon to the area?! That's just pathetic. 

FWIW, I remember signing that petition thing online for Jax when USSF asked soccer fans to vote for their favorite potential host cities.

[Gamblor]

Orlando was a host city in 1994 and the Citrus Bowl is going through a $200 Million dollar overhaul.

I was thinkin of them in south florida group. I seperate them because they arent traditional southeast cities. They want to make in roads in SEC college markets. By they I mean the heads of CONCACAF, MLS, and US Soccer. They have said this is a main goal for the next decade or so. They rightly see us as sports crazy.  I am not saying Orl, TB, and MIA dont have shot, they may have more of one, but there competition is each other because they are more soccer established, international tourist areas. Ours is the shall i say waffle house lovin football market the soccer powers that be want a piece of.

[Tacachale]

All the other Florida metros are traditional Southeast cities in the way "they" mean and they're in the same boat we are. They do indeed have more tourist infrastructure than we do. However, we have a better stadium and more recent success with international games. I'd say we have a pretty good shot, but let's make sure we knock this one out of the park.

[Rynjny]

any report on ticket sales for this?

Tix sales for USA-Nigeria in Jacksonville: 25,000+. Turkey at Red Bull Arena almost sold out. Azerbaijan in SF well behind #usmnt

[blizz01]

Turkey at Red Bull Arena almost sold out.

Capacity @ Red Bull Arena ~25k.

[control]

any report on ticket sales for this?

Tix sales for USA-Nigeria in Jacksonville: 25,000+. Turkey at Red Bull Arena almost sold out. Azerbaijan in SF well behind #usmnt

that is a good start, for the Scotland game sales were at 30,000 five days prior to the game and it ended at 44,000+.  It looks likely they will at least match the Scotland attendance, and have at least chance to beat it pretty well.  It would be so awesome if they had enough sales to open the upper level, which was unsold for the Scotland game. 

Is the game being marketed much in Jax?  I've relocated to Savannah and haven't heard a word up here.

[Ajax]

Wow, with such a small venue, I'm surprised the game in NY didn't sell out right away. 

Nigeria played Mexico in Atlanta back in March and it sold out in the Georgia Dome (68,212).  Yes, there are lots of Mexicans in Atlanta, but there are more Americans in Jax.    Besides, that was a regular friendly, whereas this is a send-off match which is a little more prestigious. 

The record for a USMNT World Cup send-off match is 55,407.  Here are the last 4 USMNT send off matches, according to Wikipedia:

2010 at Philadelphia vs. Turkey - attendance 55,407
2006 at East Hartford, CT vs. Latvia - att. 24,636
2002 at Foxborough, MA vs. Netherlands - att. 36,778
1998 at Washington, DC vs. Scotland - att. 46,037

[copperfiend]

Is the game being marketed much in Jax?  I've relocated to Savannah and haven't heard a word up here.

Not that I have seen.

I am sure we will see a push around Memorial Day.