Tickets are available for Saturday's Florida Cup soccer games at EverBank Field. Organizers say the internationally televised event is elevating Jacksonville's profile as a sports destination.
The Florida Cup is a double-header between two Brazilian teams and two German teams. JAXSPORTS Executive Director Alan Verlander says the city can expect tourism dollars from fans' spending the night and eating and drinking Downtown. But he says the real boon for the city is ESPN's broadcast of the games.
"It's definitely another step that pretty much shows that Jacksonville is supportive of all soccer. We're very fortunate to have Mark Frisch step up and bring a professional soccer team to town. I think the Armada's going to have tremendous success, and so that'll be another step and feather in our cap to show soccer is a big deal in this town."
The Armada professional team start their season with a match against the Philadelphia Union next month.
Saturday's Florida Cup games are at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Verlander says fans can buy club seats to both games for a total of $42. And he encourages people to arrive early to tailgate.
