The Copa America Centenario is set to be hosted all across the United States. 10 cities in all will play some role in this historic one-off tournament, but not all of them are home to professional soccer teams, and only three of the ten stadiums which will host matches regularly host Major League Soccer matches.
Soldier Field, MetLife Stadium, Gillette Stadium, University of Phoenix Stadium, NRG Stadium, the Citrus Bowl, the Rose Bowl, Lincoln Financial Field, Levi’s Stadium and CenturyLink Field will each play host to matches in June. Though Gillette Stadium, the Citrus Bowl and CenturyLink Field are the respective homes of the New England Revolution, Orlando City SC and Seattle Sounders, the main purpose of all 10 stadiums in to host American football games.
With the exception of the Citrus and Rose Bowls, all stadiums are the homes of National Football League teams. However, the Chicago Bears, New York Giants, New York Jets, New England Patriots, Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks are being shunted for the summer in favor of association football.
Soldier Field (Chicago, Illinois)
Soldier Field was opened in 1924, and has been the home to the Chicago Cardinals and Chicago Bears of the NFL. It hosted the Chicago Sting during their time in the NASL back in the 1970s and twice housed the Chicago Fire of MLS. Soldier Field hosted matches at the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
The home of the New York Giants and New York Jets of the NFL was opened in 2010. It has enjoyed an eventful first few years of existence, hosting a Super Bowl, the American, Mexican, Argentinian and Brazilian National Teams, the CONCACAF Gold Cup and now the Final of the Copa America Centenario.
Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts)
The stadium in metropolitan Boston was opened in 2002, and houses the New England Revolution of MLS, the New England Patriots of the NFL, and the University of Massachusetts’ football team. It has hosted an MLS Cup Final, FIFA Women’s World Cup matches and CONCACAF Gold Cup matches in its time.
University of Phoenix Stadium (Glendale, Arizona)
University of Phoenix Stadium was opened in 2006, and in its first decade has hosted the Fiesta Bowl, three college football national championship games, two Super Bowls, a Pro Bowl, Gold Cup matches and a number of other international soccer matches. It is the home of the Arizona Cardinals.
NRG Stadium (Houston, Texas)
The home of the Houston Texans was unveiled in 2002, and has hosted a Super Bowl in addition to a myriad of NFL games, early season neutral site college football games alongside postseason bowl games, an MLS All Star Game, Gold Cup matches and United States Men’s National Team matches. It has also been the site of two Final Fours, including the culmination of this past season’s college basketball season.
Citrus Bowl (Orlando, Florida)
The concrete construction now known commercially as Camping World Stadium has a rich history showing both American and association football. It is the home to the Russell Athletic Bowl and Citrus Bowl in addition to a myriad of small conference college football teams and minor league American football teams. It hosted matches at the 1994 FIFA World Cup, 1996 Olympic football tournament and the 1998 MLS All Star Game.
Rose Bowl (Pasadena, California)
Of all the sites which will see action during this tournament, the Rose Bowl has the most soccer history. It hosted the Final of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, the Final of the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 1984 Olympic Football Gold Medal Match. Sadly, this time around it will only play host to three group stage ties. It is also the oldest stadium in use this summer; the famous ground opened its doors in 1922.
Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
The home of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles has hosted professional football games, Army-Navy classics and a number of high profile international soccer matches. It has welcomed the USMNT, and the Final of the 2015 Gold Cup was held there.
Levi's Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
Levi’s Stadium only opened its doors in 2014, but has already hosted a Super Bowl, high profile international soccer matches, college football conference championship games and an NHL game between the San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings. It will get the tournament going on June 3rd, when the USA takes on Colombia.
CenturyLink Field (Seattle, Washington)
The home of the Seattle Seahawks of the NFL and MLS’s Seattle Sounders opened in 2002, and it has quickly established itself as one of, if not the premier place to watch soccer in this country. A Sounders-Portland Timbers match there currently holds the record for biggest attendance at an MLS match. Come June, it will welcome two group stage matches and one of the quarterfinals.