SEATTLE, WASH. – Seattle Sounders FC is encouraging fans to arrive early ahead of Sunday’s 2016 MLS regular season-opening clash against Sporting Kansas City on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field (4:00 p.m. PT / FOX Sports 1, FOX Deportes, KIRO Radio 97. 3 FM, El Rey 1360 AM).
A pre-match party is taking place from 1:30 – 4:00 p.m. PT at The NINETY, Sounders FC’s event space located at the club’s Pioneer Square headquarters. Beer, wine and food are set to be available for purchase with proceeds going to the Sounders FC community fund, as fans can gather to prepare for Sunday’s match by viewing MLS action from around the league. The CenturyLink Field gates open at 2:30 p.m. PT with food trucks on the North Plaza, with local favorites Snout & Co. and Tat’s Delicatessen serving food ahead of first kick.
Sunday’s March to the Match festivities begin at 1:30 p.m. PT in Occidental Park and include a performance by Seattle-based hard funk band Mind Vice, as well as live Q&A with former Sounders FC midfielder and current broadcaster Steve Zakuani at 2:25 p.m. PT using the hashtag #AskZakuani. The March itself, one of the best traditions in American sports started by the Emerald City Supporters, departs from Occidental Park at 3:00 p.m. PT for CenturyLink Field.
CenturyLink is teaming up with Sounders FC to support Special Olympics Washington Unified Sports through the season-long CenturyLink Crossbar Challenge. At halftime of each home match, a Unified athlete and partner will attempt to hit the crossbar of the goal by kicking a soccer ball. Each home match that a participant hits the crossbar, CenturyLink will donate $2,500 to Special Olympics Washington! In the event that the crossbar is not struck, CenturyLink will still make a $500 contribution to Special Olympics Washington.
Sounders FC is also proud to announce the rest of its in-game promotions for the 2016 season, courtesy of the club’s corporate partners:
- FREEMIUMS
- Great Clips – When Sounders FC scores three goals at any MLS home match, Great Clips is giving fans with a match ticket one free haircut, with participating Western Washington Great Clips locations via the following link: http://sndrs.com/984f.
- Papa Murphy’s – Every Sounders FC home shutout grants fans with a match ticket one free large, one-topping pizza courtesy of Papa Murphy’s. Complete information and a list of participating locations can be found via the following link: http://sndrs.com/shutout.
- Museum Quality Framing – If Sounders FC scores in the first five minutes or last five minutes of the match, fans will receive a free matchday poster from Museum Quality Framing or a 25% discount at MQF.
- COMMUNITY
- PwC – The PwC Goals for Success Program donates $500 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County for every Sounders FC home goal scored.
- DELTA STARTING XI
- As the official airline of Sounders FC, Delta is proud to kick-off the season as the presenting partner of Starting XI.
- SEASON-LONG PROMOTIONS
- #XboxPhotoContest – Use the hashtag #XboxPhotoContest on matchdays and show your Sounders FC passion to enter to win a new Sounders FC Rave Green or Pacific Blue jersey.
- McDonald’s – The locally owned McDonald’s Restaurants of Western Washington are proud to partner with the club again in 2016, as the Official French Fry of Sounders FC. Celebrate match day with a free medium fry with any purchase, available exclusively on the McDonald’s app. Download and register today at mcdonalds.com/app.
- 76 Sideline Upgrade – Fans that show a Kickback Card or sign up for and enroll a new card are automatically entered to have their match experience upgraded through the 76®Sideline Upgrade, complete with a swag bag. Visit the 76® Gasoline booth in Soccer Celebration by the Red Zone Suite entrance before the end of halftime each regular season Sounders FC home match. Complete information can be found via the following link: http://sndrs.com/enbq.
- SUBWAY® Restaurants of Western Washington – Fans seated in the lucky SUBWAY® Yellow Card section during each MLS home match will receive a special mobile offer for a FREE Classic 6-inch sub when a 30 oz. drink is purchased.
- MISCELANEOUS PROMOTIONS
- Sounders FC Away Trip to Orlando presented by American Family Insurance (ends July 14): Roundtrip airfare for four, a ride on the team’s flight, three nights at the team hotel, $500 and more! To enter, visit www.amfam.com.sounders.
- WA Lottery Sounders FC Scratch Ticket (ends July 22): Scratch and Win! Play Sounders FC scratch for the chance win up to $10,000, one of 12 custom Xbox one consoles, seats on the Lottery Sideline Couch and more! Complete information can be found at www.walottery.com/soundersfc.
Following the conclusion of its run in the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League, Seattle Sounders FC prepares to open its 2016 MLS campaign on Sunday, March 6 against Sporting Kansas City at CenturyLink Field (4:00 p.m. PT / FOX Sports 1, FOX Deportes, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360 AM). For the sixth time in Seattle's eight-year MLS history, the club begins its season in front of a nationally televised audience, including the second consecutive opener on FOX Sports 1. A sold-out crowd is expected at CenturyLink Field on Sunday, marking Seattle's 127th consecutive MLS sellout.
