SAN JOSE, Calif. – After a successful first year in 2015, the San Jose Earthquakes today announced a series of exciting new features for Avaya Stadium for the 2016 season. The changes include new technology, improved infrastructure and revised food options at the stadium.
“Fans in Silicon Valley expect more from their sports venues, and last season we scored big with our supporters on innovation and engagement at the highest level,” said Earthquakes President Dave Kaval. “Our partnership with Avaya will continue to help us deliver even more value this season and give fans a connected, social and immersive experience unlike any other. We are also proud to honor our inaugural season ticket holders with a new Devotion Wall.”
An updated Avaya Stadium mobile app will provide supporters with an enhanced online and social game day experience and will include live polls, parking maps and traffic updates. Quakes fans will also be able to post their messages to a Fan Engagement Wall, buy tickets and check out merchandise.
David Chavez, vice president, CTO Architecture & Consulting at Avaya, added: “Avaya and the San Jose Earthquakes are natural teammates – it’s a true partnership. We’re proud to have the opportunity to showcase how we help businesses of all types and sizes grow through better customer and team engagement. This season we’ll further demonstrate what our technology can do to help the best team in the league enhance the fan experience and grow their business. Go Quakes!”
Adjacent to the main stadium gate, the Devotion Wall has been enlarged from 2015 and will now feature five panels to honor season ticket holders. The wall contains the names of inaugural season ticket holders at Avaya Stadium.
The stadium menu has been fine-tuned with a host of new items now available, including the Seismic Burger and Polish Kielbasa. The beer options have now also reached 51 varieties and the 7UP Epicenter will now boast three additional food trucks to offer fans even more culinary options.
A global gallery of scarves from 130 clubs has been installed to add a splash of color while simultaneously providing a nod to the world’s game. This display hangs next to the supporters’ sections just across the concourse from the Beers of the World concession stand on the south end of the stadium.
Fans will also notice an upgraded Customer Service Center where they can seek assistance should they need it during their visits to Avaya Stadium, which was crowned Product Innovation Award winner at TheStadiumBusiness Awards in 2015.
The pole banners that line the inside of the concourse have been updated to reflect San Jose’s roster changes, introducing new players while keeping historic moments and all-time greats a consistent part of the design.
In the premium seat areas, the Quakes have made further improvements. The number of game day patio suites has increased from four to six with those suites already having sold over 90 percent of their inventory. All club seat holders, including midfield club and BMW club, will now also have the option to purchase a pregame buffet in BMW Club 9-12 and BMW Club 23-27.
Even Q has been given a makeover. Following San Jose’s partnership with jersey sponsors Sutter Health, the club’s mascot decided to get in shape and is now set to wow fans with his new, beefed-up frame.
The unveiling of the upgraded Avaya Stadium comes in the same week the Earthquakes announced all 13,000 season tickets for the forthcoming campaign have been sold – an increase on last season’s capped figure of 12,000.
The Quakes kickoff the 2016 season on Sunday, March 6 against the Colorado Rapids at Avaya Stadium, presented by Avaya. San Jose posted a 7-3-5 record at Avaya Stadium last season, allowing only 11 total goals in 15 matches.
About Avaya Stadium
Avaya Stadium is an 18,000-seat soccer-specific stadium located on Coleman Ave. adjacent to the San Jose International Airport. The European-inspired building is the first cloud-enabled venue in Major League Soccer and is among the most technologically advanced stadiums in the world. The stadium features a canopy roof and the steepest-raked seating in MLS to provide the best possible fan experience. Additionally, the north end zone houses the largest outdoor bar in North America, a two-acre fan zone and a double-sided video scoreboard. The suites and club seats are located at field level, giving fans a premium experience unlike any other in professional sports. The stadium hosted numerous non-Major League Soccer events during its inaugural season in 2015, including the International Champions Cup, which featured Manchester United and Club America, a Send-Off Series match for the United States Women’s National Team ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup and the American Ultimate Disc League Championship Weekend. For more information about Avaya Stadium, click
here
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