February 13 – For the next three weeks, the fairgrounds at Coachella Valley in Southern California will host the best of Major League Soccer (MLS) and National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) as the two leagues use friendly matches to shake the rust out of the legs.
The Coachella Valley Invitational is the largest professional soccer preseason event in North American soccer history with all matches played at the Empire Polo Club in Indio.
The facility has two match fields, one warm-up field and gives fans the ability to watch five full matches in one day. This year a record number of 20 clubs are attending.
For the coaches, this is the opportunity to develop a tactical style, and develop their club culture, while fringe players have a golden chance to secure a roster spot. Behind the scenes management also gets to interact with their counterparts to exchange ideas on how to continue building the soccer profile.
“The Coachella Valley Invitational has become a premier preseason event in global soccer, thanks to AEG’s expertise in producing world-class events,” said MLS Commissioner, Don Garber.
“With state-of-the-art facilities, professional organization, and a unique environment, Coachella provides MLS clubs with a terrific opportunity to prepare for the upcoming 2025 season.”
For the first time, the event will be televised after broadcast agreements were signed with FOX TV and Gray Media. The two entities will show 24 games in total from both leagues.
“This relationship shows that broadcast television is an amazing way to connect fans with their sport,” said Sandy Breland, Chief Operating Officer of Gray Media. “We are excited to work with AEG and the Coachella Valley Invitational to bring fans their favorite teams, free-to-air.”
“We are thrilled that this partnership will elevate the experience for so many fans,” said Kara Korber, Senior Director of Business Development for AEG.
“This collaboration will also create new opportunities for engagement, innovation, making this year’s Coachella Valley Invitational the most impactful yet. We look forward to growing this premier preseason event in the years to come.”
All the matches will be produced by AEG and Tourbeau Sports Group, a national live sports production company that produces and packages more than 10,000 live broadcasts annually.
For fans attending in person, they can buy a day pass that gives them access to all the games. There is General Admission seating and a VIP package that includes unlimited food and drink!
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1739427054labto1739427054ofdlr1739427054owedi1739427054sni@o1739427054fni1739427054