Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the premier outdoor professional lacrosse league, announced today the 2017 MLL All-Star Game will be played in Sacramento, CA at Bonney Field, home to Sacramento Republic FC of the United Soccer League on Saturday, July 8. The state of California will host the MLL All-Star Game for the second straight year after the 2016 contest was held in Fullerton.
“The sport of lacrosse is growing tremendously in Northern California,” MLL Commissioner David Gross said, “and this is another opportunity for MLL to showcase the best players in the world in front of passionate lacrosse fans.”
Located on the grounds of the Cal Expo, Bonney Field opened in 2014 and seats approximately 11,500 fans for soccer matches. The natural grass surface has also hosted several international soccer and rugby matches, including USA Rugby.
“We’re excited to host the MLL All-Star Game here in Sacramento,” Bonney Field General Manager Eric Blockie said. “We look forward to showcasing this beautiful facility and our high quality of customer service and fresh food to MLL fans across North America. In a short amount of time since we’ve opened, we have been able to secure top-notch concerts and now we can add an All-Star Game. The possibilities for Bonney Field at Cal Expo are limitless.”
According to US Lacrosse, membership in California has increased by nearly 4,000 youth players since the start of 2012. The Northern California region makes the biggest contribution to that total, with more than half of all registered lacrosse players in the state residing in Northern California. Also, California is one of 14 states with at least 10,000 youth participants.
All-Star Game Weekend will include a two-day youth lacrosse tournament in conjunction with ADVNC Lacrosse at Cherry Island Sports Complex. Former MLL All-Star and San Francisco Dragons captain Chris Rotelli designed and directs ADVNC Lacrosse, a leading lacrosse training and events company in Northern California. Day one of the tournament will include a skills competition for youth participants and the MLL Skills Competition.
The day of the All-Star Game will kick off with MLL Fan Fest, which will include opportunities to meet MLL players, brand experiences, product demos, live music and interactive exhibits.
“The best of the best in one of the fastest growing sports in the country will make for a great weekend in Sacramento,” Director of the Sacramento Sports Commission Mike Sophia said. “We are thrilled that Major League Lacrosse has selected Bonney Field, and we are proud to host another premier event in our community.”
This marks the 16th edition of the MLL All-Star Game and the first ever All-Star Game in Northern California. It will be the third straight game in a city that does not currently host an MLL team (Fullerton in 2016, Houston in 2015). Boston has hosted the most All-Star Games with five, most recently in 2014.
Tickets for the 2017 MLL All-Star Game are available here on Ticketmaster beginning at 7 a.m. PT on Thursdayand on MajorLeagueLacrosse.com.
