CHICAGO (May 18, 2018) – Soldier Field, SMG, The Chicago Park District and Chicago Sports Commission announced today that Chicago will be a host city for the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup. Taking place every two years, the Gold Cup is the official national team championship of the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf), which crowns the best national team in the region and features some of the hemisphere’s best players. Chicago has previously hosted the Concacaf Gold Cup four times, including the 2007 and 2013 Finals, 2009 Semifinal and 2015 Group Play matches.

“We’re thrilled to once again welcome Concacaf, the teams and their fans to Chicago,” said Kara Bachman, Executive Director of the Chicago Sports Commission. “With a strong track record of hosting sold-out international soccer events, the 2019 Gold Cup will be another showcase of the great sport of soccer in Chicago, a city which demonstrates much passion for the game.”

Drawing large crowds and millions of television viewers across the region, the Gold Cup is a celebration of soccer, sportsmanship, and culture. The 2019 Gold Cup will feature an expanded format of 16 national teams, with the 10 additional participating nations qualifying through Concacaf Nations League Qualifier competition, to be played in September, October, and November of 2018, and March of 2019. Groups and schedule, including dates and match schedule, will be announced in the next year.

“Gold Cup brings some of the best players in the world to our city to compete for a most prestigious Championship. We are thrilled to host the Gold Cup Tournament once again at Soldier Field. It has become a staple in Chicago that soccer enthusiasts look forward to putting on their calendar,” said General Superintendent & CEO of the Chicago Park District, Mike Kelly.

"Soccer is a global sport and Chicago is the ideal global city to once again host the Concacaf Gold Cup," Mayor Rahm Emanuel said. "Chicago looks forward to welcoming some of soccer's best players and fans, and inspiring the next generation of soccer players in communities across our city."

The 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup is sponsored by Allstate Insurance Company, Cerveza Modelo, Nike, Scotiabank, and Toyota. The tournament will be broadcast across the U.S. on the Univision and FOX family of networks and transmitted on radio in Spanish by Fútbol de Primera Radio Network, and broadcast by television partners in countries around the world.

“Chicago has proven itself to have among the most ardent soccer fans in the United States,” said Chicago Fire Soccer Club President and General Manager Nelson Rodríguez. “Whether that was supporting last year’s sold out, record-breaking MLS All-Star Game, its continued support of the hometown Chicago Fire or the thrilling 2007 Gold Cup Final between the U.S. and Mexico at Soldier Field, this city loves its futbol. We are grateful to Concacaf for once again selecting Chicago to serve as a host for next summer’s Gold Cup and are certain that we will live up to our reputation as a world-class soccer city.”

Exclusive Presale Offering

Fans can now visit www.GoldCup.org to sign up for an exclusive pre-sale offering for any Gold Cup gameday in 2019, before seats go on sale to the general public. Tickets for the 2019 Gold Cup will go on sale at a later date. The local host committees encourage fans to purchase their tickets early in order to secure the best seats for a great fan experience.

The rest of the US venues are expected to be revealed in the coming days and weeks.

The 2019 Gold Cup will feature an expanded field of 16 participating teams from across Concacaf, six of which have already earned qualification: Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago and the United States – are automatically qualified to the 2019 Gold Cup. Ten additional nations will qualify through Concacaf Nations League qualifiers, to be played on FIFA match dates in September, October, and November of 2018 and March of 2019.