Audi Field, D.C. United’s brand new state-of-the-art stadium in downtown Washington, D.C., will host its first women’s professional soccer match when the Washington Spirit face reigning National Women’s Soccer League Champion Portland Thorns FC on August 25.
Just over five weeks after United christen their new home at Audi Field on July 14 against the Vancouver Whitecaps, the Spirit and Thorns will compete in the first women’s professional soccer game played in the District of Columbia since the Washington Freedom’s final showing at RFK Stadium in 2010.
The matchup at Audi Field will be the penultimate game of the 2018 NWSL regular season for both teams, and could hold major playoff implications.
“We’re excited to host the Washington Spirit at our new home at Audi Field in August,” said D.C. United president of business operations Tom Hunt. "Our plan from the beginning was to build a stadium that serves as a home for soccer in the nation's capital and we hope this game is so successful that it leads to more Washington Spirit fixtures at Audi Field in the future.”
Audi Field, the first soccer specific stadium to be constructed in the District, will feature a total capacity of 20,000 seats, 1,500 club seats, 31 luxury suites and a bike valet along with 500,000 total square feet of mixed-use retail and residential space on site.
“It’s really special for us to come full circle and have women’s pro soccer in downtown D.C. again,” said Spirit head coach and general manager Jim Gabarra. “It’s a big opportunity to showcase the best women’s soccer in the world in the world’s newest stadium, and should help grow our fan base.”
D.C. United and Washington Spirit 2018 Season Ticket Holders will have first selection for tickets to the game, starting on Tuesday, May 1. D.C. United Season Ticket Holders will be part of an exclusive Season Ticket Holder presale, which runs from May 1-6.
Additional early access to tickets will be available from May 7-13, as the presale extends to the following groups: fans who have purchased at least one single game ticket to a 2018 Washington Spirit home game, members of Washington Spirit Youth Club Partners and Community Partners, all official Spirit and D.C. United supporters groups, and large groups of 25 or more. Current Audi Field Suite Holders will have until May 15 to book their suites for the game, with any remaining offered for sale thereafter through the Spirit ticket office.
Fans who purchase tickets during the two presale periods will have access to tickets for $10 off the public sale prices. Tickets for the game will go on sale to the general public starting on Monday, May 14.
