In a unique initiative, New York City FC has announced plans for a 24-hour soccer game that will begin at Rockefeller Center on Friday afternoon.
Starting at 4:00 p.m. eastern on Friday, March 9, NYCFC will stage a 24-hour soccer game at Rockefeller Center. Taking place at the same location that is used for the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, the 24-hour game will allow for more than 500 players. In addition, former and current NYCFC players are expected to be on hand for the event.
Details of the 24-hour game were recently announced by NYCFC. More from amNewYork:
“We wanted to kick the season with an iconic event at a city and global landmark,” NYCFC president Jon Patricof told amNewYork. “The essence of the club is all about the fans and the community. What we’re hoping is that people come out [to the event] and get a taste of that.”
The five-on-five game will switch out participants every 30 minutes during two 12-hour halves and will break for a halftime celebration.
Registration for the event sold out within the first hour, and more than 600 fans are on the wait list, according to the club….
Players will be divided into two competing teams — Team Vieira (representing NYCFC coach Patrick Vieira) and Team Villa (representing NYCFC team captain, David Villa). Both Vieira and Villa will coach the game at the start, and a number of past and present NYCFC players, including Ronald Matarrita, Rodney Wallace, Anton Tinnerholm, Tommy McNamara and Alex Ring, will make appearances throughout the 24-hour game.
For the club, this event has the potential to be a major source for promotion ahead of its home opener. NYCFC will play its 2018 home opener at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, March 11, when it hosts LA Galaxy. NYCFC began the 2018 MLS season with a 2-0 victory at Sporting KC on Sunday, March 4.