The Dallas Cowboys, Federación Mexicana de Fútbol (FMF), MLS’ FC Dallas, and the Dallas Sports Commission announced a landmark sports partnership Nov. 28 that will bring the popular Mexican National Team U.S. Tour to North Texas through 2022.
The agreement, facilitated by FMF’s U.S. partner for the past 16 years, Soccer United Marketing (SUM), was made public at a news conference.
Under the partnership, North Texas will play host to an annual match of the Mexican National Team for the next four years at AT&T Stadium, starting with a match on June 9, 2019, just days before the start of the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup, the Cowboys said in a news release.
Tickets for the June game will go on sale on Dec. 11 at 10 a.m. central time via MexTour.org or SeatGeek.com. The opponent and kickoff time will be announced at a later time.
As part of the new partnership, in conjunction with the Dallas Sports Commission, Mexico will participate in local community initiatives geared towards growing the sport and promoting the region’s blooming Hispanic population, including a bilingual childhood reading program.
The announcement said events will be hosted throughout Dallas/Fort Worth all year long, culminating with a celebration of the sport and its culture at a fan-fest in downtown Dallas before each match.
“With the Dallas Cowboys fan base in Mexico, and the Mexican National Team being one of the most popular teams here in North Texas, we are excited for the opportunity to host Mexico at AT&T Stadium for years to come,” Jerry Jones Jr. said in a news release. “We are thrilled to continue to engage these incredibly passionate fan bases with two premiere sports brands at one the best stadiums in the world.”
Since opening in 2009, AT&T Stadium and North Texas has become a second home for the Mexican National Team, the news release said.
“We are very pleased to enter into this partnership, not only for the opportunity to collaborate and exchange ideas with important colleagues in the sports industry, but also for the chance to bring the Mexican National Team closer to its fan base, which for years has demonstrated its passion and commitment to the team,” said Gilberto Hernandez.
“We look forward to welcoming the Mexican National Team to Dallas and North Texas over the next four years as their home away from home as we further expand the impact of soccer here locally,” said Monica Paul, executive director of the Dallas Sports Commission. “Whether it be through the fan fest, reading programs, and other community initiatives, we are excited about the opportunity to celebrate the culture and sport of soccer as we continue our quest to be a 2026 FIFA World Cup host city.”
The annual #MexTour has become one of the most popular sporting events in the country, with an average of approximately 50,000 fans per game throughout the years, the news release said.
With nearly 85 games played since 2002, the Mexican National Team has utilized the matches to reach its fervent fan base across North America and prepare for important competitions like the FIFA World Cup and Concacaf Gold Cup.
– FWBP Staff