LOS ANGELES – UCLA men's soccer announced today that it will host the 2016 NCAA Men's Soccer Kick-Off Classic at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. on Friday, August 26. The event will feature a matchup between the Bruins and the Maryland Terrapins in UCLA's first home game of the season.

"We are very excited to kick off the 2016 season at StubHub Center," said UCLA Head Coach Jorge Salcedo. "UCLA Soccer would like to thank Dan Beckerman, President and CEO of AEG, for supporting our endeavor. Playing this match in one of the best soccer stadiums in the country is truly a privilege."

The contest, which features two of college soccer's perennial powers, is set for 7:00pm PT. General admission tickets for the event are $15 and can be purchased now by visiting www.uclabruins.com/tickets. Parking at the StubHub Center for the match will be free of charge.

UCLA and Maryland have combined to capture seven national championships and make 78 NCAA Tournament appearances. The two sides have faced each other nine times in the past, including last season in College Park, Md. where the Terrapins edged the Bruins, 2-1, in overtime.

"The rivalry between UCLA and Maryland is very special," said Maryland Head Coach Sasho Cirovski. "Every time we play it is a great game and is always among the college season's best. Continually scheduling this game is a sign of great respect between both programs, and in the end, the players, fans and all of college soccer wins because it is always a great advertisement for the college game. I want to thank UCLA Athletic Director Dan Guerrero, Head Coach Jorge Salcedo and the entire UCLA Athletic Department for putting the game in one of the most hallowed stadiums in MLS, the StubHub Center."

This will mark the second time that UCLA has faced Maryland at StubHub Center to open the season. On August 29, 2008 Maryland defeated UCLA, 2-1, in overtime in the then named Home Depot Center.

"UCLA and Maryland is always one of the best games of the season," said Salcedo. "Last year's game was a 'barn-burner' and I expect nothing less this season. Our 2016 team is talented and exciting, and Maryland will once again be one of the top teams in the country. The 2016 NCAA Men's Soccer Kick-Off Classic will surely showcase some of the best that college soccer has to offer."

The 2016 NCAA Men's Soccer Kick-Off Classic follows UCLA's exhibition match against Indiana on Saturday, August 20. Overall, the Bruins feature a challenging schedule this season which consists of eight teams that made the NCAA Tournament a year ago, including the defending champion Stanford Cardinal.

Tickets for all home matches are available and can be purchased by visiting www.uclabruins.com/tickets or by calling 310-UCLA-WIN.
 
ABOUT STUBHUB CENTER
StubHub Center is southern California's home of world-class competition and training facilities for amateur, Olympic, collegiate and professional athletes. Managed by AEG Facilities, the $150 million, privately financed facility was developed by AEG on a 125-acre site on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) in Carson, California. StubHub Center features an 8,000-seat tennis stadium, a 27,167-seat stadium for soccer, football and other athletic competitions and outdoor concerts; a 2,000-seat facility for track & field and a 2,450-seat indoor Velodrome – the VELO Sports Center – for track cycling.  StubHub Center is home to Major League Soccer's LA Galaxy, the five-time MLS Cup Champions. StubHub Center is also home of the United States Tennis Association's (USTA) High Performance Training Center, the national team training headquarters for the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) and EXOS, an international training center for elite and professional athletes. For additional information, please visit www.stubhubcenter.com.