Rio Tinto Stadium

Opening in October 2008, Rio Tinto Stadium is a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment facility in Sandy, Utah that provides a stunning new home for the Real Salt Lake soccer club. With breathtaking views of both the Oquirrh and Wasatch Mountain ranges, the new stadium is a vibrant and energetic setting for the team's engaged and loyal fans.

Rio Tinto Stadium has been designed to be an entirely new kind of facility in the InterMountain West, attracting a wide array of events that would not otherwise visit Utah, and strengthening the state's reputation as an international sporting destination. The Stadium has already been named the host of the 2009 MLS All-Star Game. These types of events will bring significant media attention to the state, positively impact tourism, and perhaps most importantly, will help create numerous job opportunities, on both a permanent and seasonal basis.

Located in Sandy, Utah, at the heart of the Wasatch Front, Rio Tinto Stadium is just 15 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City and 25 minutes from SLC International Airport. It is conveniently accessed from major transportation artery Interstate-15 and is located at State Street, between 9000 South and 9400 South.

This world-class venue seats 20,000 people for Major League Soccer and other sports events. Capacity increases to 25,000 for concerts. Stadium amenities include 32 luxury suites, a 2,000-square foot Stadium Club, 1,000 premium club seats, five locker rooms, a 60-foot Video Board, and ribbon LED boards stretching 200 feet long on both the east and west fascia.

The carpet-like natural grass field boasts a surface area of 130 yards in length by 90 yards in width and has been developed to sustain a full slate of diverse sports and entertainment activities . The GTF Kentucky Bluegrass surface and root system is engineered by Graff's Turf Farm in Ft. Morgan, Colorado, the supplier of such hallowed fields as Wrigley Field, Lambeau Field, Busch Stadium and Notre Dame Stadium. Laser-graded to 1/100th of an inch across 105,000 square feet, the field was chemically and organically developed specifically for Utah's high-desert climate to ensure optimal growth and durability throughout the entire year.

Rio Tinto Stadium opens its doors for the first time to the public on Thursday, October 9, 2008, when Real Salt Lake hosts the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer action live on ESPN2 before an international audience. Other events already on the schedule for Fall 2008 include a Real Salt Lake soccer match on Saturday, October 18, at 7:00 p.m. vs. FC Dallas; a USA Rugby doubleheader on Saturday, November 8,; and the "Top of the Mountains" American Football Bowl Game on Saturday, December 6.