Phoenix Announces Sports Events for 2016

Visit Phoenix has announced a series of sports events to kick off the new year.

The College Football Playoff (CFP) announces events that will take place in Arizona the weekend of the national championship game, including an interactive event for fans, concert series, pregame festivities at University of Phoenix Stadium and philanthropic events. Playoff Fan Central, a festival that will give fans the opportunity to be a part of the championship experience, will be at the Phoenix Convention Center. The event will include interactive games, sponsor activities, special guest appearances and exhibits celebrating college football. Playoff Fan Central will also feature appearances by the participating institutions’ bands, cheerleaders and mascots and mini pep rallies for each participating team. On Saturday, attendees will have the opportunity to watch media day live, as student-athletes and coaches from both teams participate in interviews on the special 50-yard football field.

The countdown to the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four began when the NCAA and the Phoenix Local Organizing Committee unveiled the logo of Phoenix's first Final Four and announced plans for an NCAA Legacy Restorations project at Harmon Park in central Phoenix. The NCAA Legacy Restorations project will refurbish an outdoor basketball court at Harmon Park, which annually serves more than 18,000 neighborhood children, many of them underprivileged. This is the first of numerous community projects that will be undertaken as the Valley prepares to host the 2017 Final Four, set for April 1 and April 3, 2017 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale.

The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) and the Copa America Centenario Local Organizing Committee (LOC) announced that Phoenix has been selected as one of the 10 U.S. metropolitan areas to host matches during the historic Copa America Centenario played from June 3 to 26, 2016. The University of Phoenix Stadium was assigned to host the Copa American matches during the tournament. Traditionally featuring the top teams of South America, the tournament will be played on U.S. grounds and include CONCACAF teams like the United States and Mexico. Similar to the FIFA World Cup, each venue will host matches on multiple days through the tournament. Most venues will host at least three games.

Information is available at http://www.visitphoenix.com/