Update on Friday’s home opener

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To our great supporters…

FC Buffalo and Syracuse FC have moved the time and venue for Friday’s National Premier Soccer League home opener from its original location of Robert Rich Sr. All-High Stadium to Dobson Field at D’Youville College due to current restrictions and unforeseen circumstances.

The match will now kickoff at 7:30pm ET. All season ticket holders are guaranteed admission and we are currently addressing capacity ability for individual tickets. It’s critical to note, though, that seating is limited and many admissions will be standing room only and in the proximity of play. Please contact nick@fcbuffalo.org with any special requests or concerns.

We are in the process of outlining new venue and individual game ticketing guidelines for this one-off at Dobson Field, which will be streamed live on MyCujoo. Once we’ve processed team ticket requests, we will release new information Thursday morning and contact those who’ve requested individual or group sales. If you’d like to be added to this list, contact wolf@fcbuffalo.org and we will email you with an on-sale time.

Season ticket holders have been kept in the loop but we have been waiting to speak to the general public until we have a firm handle on COVID protocols and attendance details, as we weigh laws versus capacity versus demand, which are not as much of a concern at a 5500-seat venue like All-High.

We can confidently produce a home opener that rises to the standards we expect for our supporters, players, staff, and opponents, and the club looks forward to welcoming season ticket holders into every home match this season. Dobson Field is a tremendous new facility where the club has trained in the past, and will provide a unique viewing experience for an FC Buffalo match. We are very excited to play for you.

There’s been an almost-overwhelming request for details on the why. We’re not here to throw any allies under a proverbial bus, but we can say that we confirmed All-High months ago, secured a second facility when All-High became a question for Friday’s opener, then learned that venue was unexpectedly shut down. We’re excited to play Friday at Dobson. It will be a cool experience at a new place before we get some full-fledged “normalcy.”

We are also very sorry for any inconvenience caused by the relocation of the match, but grateful to have quickly found an alternative thanks to many people including but limited to Alex Parent at D’Youville College, Andy Evenhouse from Sahlen Sports Park. We also thank Anthony Zackery and Dr. William Keresztes at Buffalo Public Schools for their excellent consideration, consultation, and communication.

Our club has spent the better part of this winter and spring preparing for every eventuality, phones often stuck to our ears, and we salute our staff for the work they’ve done in making sure we’re ready to go, even in a new temporary home.

News for season ticket holders as well as a number of individual ticket sales for Friday and the June 4 men’s and women’s doubleheader will be made available in the next 24-48 hours, respective to each date..