Capacity crowd to highlight historic evening Saturday, March 16
PAWTUCKET, R.I. (March 8, 2024) – Rhode Island FC announced today that the club’s inaugural match on Saturday, March 16 at Bryant University’s Beirne Stadium is sold out. The historic event against New Mexico United of the USL Championship Western Conference is set to kick off at 4 p.m.
“This community has made an enormous statement by filling up every seat at Beirne Stadium for our historic home opener— Rhode Island FC is A Club for All Rhode Island and this state is proud to finally have a professional soccer club to call its own,” said Rhode Island FC President Brett Luy. “March 16 will be an evening of generational memories and we can’t wait to bring the noise, rock the stadium and show that the Ocean State is Anchored in Community.”
Saturday’s matchday events, including Fan Fest, Food Truck Village, a special Black Hawk flyover, family-friendly activities, a live national anthem performance by Rhode Island native and American Idol top-ten finisher Erika Van Pelt, and multiple appearances by local celebrity Chip the Harbor Seal kick off when gates open at 3 p.m. Fans are encouraged to arrive early with anticipated high traffic conditions. Parking lots open at 1 p.m. and information on tailgating is available at rhodeislandfc.com/a-z-guide.
Fans unable to attend in person can tune in on NESN, the exclusive regional broadcaster of Rhode Island FC, or ESPN+. To find a TV provider that carries NESN, visit GetNESN.com. To sign up for NESN 360 for 24-7 access to NESN, visit NESN360.com. For additional information on ESPN+, visit plus.espn.com.
Limited tickets remain for RIFC’s second home match of the season when the club hosts 2023 Eastern Conference Champions Charleston Battery on Saturday, April 6 at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit rhodeislandfc.com/tickets.