Gold Cup Soccer Action Returns To Tampa Next Year

TAMPA, FL — Soccer’s governing body in North and Central America and the Caribbean on Monday announced the 14 stadiums that will play host to 2017 Gold Cup championship games. Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium is one of the venues.

While tournament play won’t begin until July 7, 2017, the United States and Mexico have already been announced as seeded nations for the event. The U.S. team is in the championship’s Group B, which will first play in Nashville July 8 before heading to Tampa on July 12, according to CONCACAF.

CONCACAF said it was committed in its selection to choosing venues in cities that are emerging markets for soccer.

“We’re excited to bring the Gold Cup to new markets across the country. These cities have all proved ready and eager to host our region’s marquee soccer championship, and welcome world class international soccer next summer,” said CONCACAF General Secretary Philippe Moggio in a release. “With matches also set for some of our more popular venues over the years, such as Dallas, Los Angeles and New York, next year’s Gold Cup will highlight the top-tier sporting status of international soccer across the nation.”

Tampa last hosted a Gold Cup game in 2011, according to CONCACAF.

See also: Rowdies Bucking For Support As MLS Considers Expansion

Other cities that will host matches are Santa Clara, Calif., Cleveland, San Antonio, Arlington, Texas; Houston; Philadelphia; San Diego; Harrison, N.J.; Pasadena, Calif.; Denver, Colo.; Frisco, Texas; and Glendale, Ariz.

Twelve teams in three groups of four will compete in a round-robin before a knockout tournament determines the Gold Cup winner. Seven teams — the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Curacao, French Guiana, Jamaica, and Martinique — have already qualified.

Ticket information is available from CONCACAF.

The Gold Cup announcement comes as the Tampa Bay Rowdies are working to bring soccer in the region to the next level. That professional team has its heart set on being named one of Major League Soccer’s next expansion teams.

Patch's J.R. Lind contributed to this story.

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