Nearly 25,000 Attend 2015 SoccerFest

A stellar Women’s World Cup™ run by the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, coupled with sensational weather for the finals of the tournament July 5, pushed attendance for the Lehigh Valley SoccerFest & Viewing Party at SteelStacks to almost 25,000 attendees. More than 8,500 people packed PNC Plaza at SteelStacks to watch the U.S. take on Japan in the finals, making it one of the most-well attended evenings in the two years that SoccerFest has taken place on the SteelStacks campus.

The 2015 Lehigh Valley SoccerFest & Viewing Party featured all seven of the U.S.A.’s matches shown on either the giant outdoor television screens at SteelStacks on the large indoor screens at the Musikfest Cafe, as well as live music, DJs and a variety of soccer-related programs and activities. Among the highlights were the Philadelphia Union Soccer Clinic June 12, which was attended by more than 200 children, as well as a special Soccer Clinic for Children with Disabilities presented Good Shepherd Pediatrics June 16. In all, 24,000 people attended the seven evenings that the Lehigh Valley SoccerFest & Viewing Party took place from June 8-July 5.

“Despite some less than ideal weather on several nights, the community once again showed its passion for soccer and its love for following the U.S.A. as it competes in the World Cup events,” says ArtsQuest Senior Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Partnerships Curt Mosel. “The attendance for the women’s finals this year was on par with any of the World Cup matches we showed last year, and fans stayed on the SteelStacks campus well after the game ended to watch the trophy presentation and celebrate the huge win with family and friends.

“Thanks to the hard work of the SoccerFest Planning Committee, as well as the support of our sponsors, programming partners and our volunteers, the region was able to enjoy a unique, free celebration at SteelStacks this past month. We thank everyone who lent a hand in making these viewing parties possible.”

A partnership between Discover Lehigh Valley, Lehigh Mining & Navigation, Lehigh Valley United and ArtsQuest, the Lehigh Valley SoccerFest & Viewing Party is a free festival designed to bring the region together in a celebration of the World’s Game. Partners helping to support the festival included Air Products, Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network, Kwik Goal, The Outlets at Sands Bethlehem, Red Robin, Women’s Health Magazine, Service Electric Cable TV & Communications and Labatt Blue. Programming partners included Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association, Parkland Area Soccer Club and the Philadelphia Union.

For more information on the Lehigh Valley SoccerFest & Viewing Party, visit www.lvsoccerfest.com or like www.facebook.com/LVsoccerfest.