The Rio Tinto Stadium is a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment facility in Sandy, Utah. The new home for the Real Salt Lake soccer club, the stadium was also designed to attract a wide array of events that normally wouldn't visit Utah. Strengthening the state's reputation as an international sporting destination, the Stadium has already been named as host of the 2009 MLS All-Star Game.
Rio Tinto Stadium seats 20,000 people for Major League Soccer and other sports events, the capacity increases to 25,000 for concerts. Amenities at the stadium 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 for 200 feet along both the east and west ends of the field.
Rio Tinto Stadium is located in Sandy, Utah, just fifteen minutes from downtown Salt Lake City and twenty five minutes from the Salt Lake International Airport. Accessed from I-15, take either 9000 South or 9400 South - to State Street. The stadium is located between the two streets on State Street.
Rio Tinto Stadium Information:
Stadium Cost - $110 million
Private Investment - $65 million
Public Investment - $45 million
Site Size - 23 acres
Concession Locations - 15 full-service
Restrooms - 469 fixtures
Stadium Canopy - made of Teflon coated fiberglass, fabricated in Shanghai, China, designed to withstand hurricane-force winds
Stadium Field - comprised of 105,000 square feet of natural GTF Kentucky Bluegrass
Stadium Seating - 20,000 seats for soccer, 25,000 seats for concerts
Luxury Suites - 32
Other Amenities - 32-seat Press Box, 6 Broadcast Booths, Press Lounge, 18 Camera Positions, Team Offices, Administrative Offices
Commissary - 8,500 square foot, full-service kitchen
Concessionaire - Levy Restaurants (Chicago, Illinois)
Locker Rooms - 5
General public entrances - 6
A February 2009 online reviewer said, "Finally!!!!!!!!! A proper pitch and great action. Real's new Stadium was still under construction when I attended a game, but it's a totally different experience than Rice Eccles. No more football yardage lines and artificial turf. Not to mention that you can finally get a beer. The games are family friendly and it's a great way to bring the community together. I am planning to attend a few more games this year. The food is pretty good. I would recommend the BBQ sandwich. It's a little messy and I just about dumped it on the person in from of me when Findley scored an amazing goal. Great start, but its time to get a few more choices of beer. Give us the local beer we crave.''
An August 2009 reviewer said, "Great looking stadium, love everything about it!''
Review, comment, or add new information about this topic: