By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
The Las Vegas Lights are going Late Night for a home game in July by starting a game at 11 p.m. and having a midnight celebration at halftime.
The Lights enjoy staging off-beat game promotions such as halftime helicopter cash drops the past two seasons and will back to their old tricks on July 11 when the United Soccer league team holds the “Midnight Match” for a game with Orange County SC.
Las Vegas is no stranger to “midnight” sporting events. You might recall the former Las Vegas Wranglers hockey team of the East Coast Hockey League started the tradition here years ago. Lights FC is re-kindling the tradition and bringing it to Cashman Field to professional soccer for the first time.
“Lights FC is for Las Vegas, by Las Vegas, of Las Vegas,” Lights owner Brett Lashbrook said. “We live in such a unique community and so many locals have to work during our typical 7:30 p.m. kick-off times so this is a perfect way to play a game at a time so that those individuals can now attend — and, well, for us to create a new kind of fun at our Saturday night soccer parties.”
Lashbrook pointed out the Midnight Match might bring fans to a Lights game for the first time, allowing the team to grow its fan base.
Downtown Cashman Field will have open general admission seating, including pitch-side beer gardens and special seating areas. Season ticket holders will be allowed first entry into the stadium to ensure they can secure their seats.
“Be ready for pro soccer Vegas style,” Lashbrook said. “If you’re overly traditional or don’t like staying up past your bedtime then this game probably isn’t for you — but don’t fret we still have 16 other home games.”
Season ticket holders who wish to not attend this July game because of the start time can exchange their ticket for any other home match as part of the Lights’ “No Ticket Left Behind” program.
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