USA and Canadian Ice Hockey stars come Down Under for one-off series

Team USA will be looking for redemption after their 3-2 loss to Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics and they’ll be doing it in one of the unlikeliest countries of all - New Zealand.

USA and Canada will face off in a three game exhibition series to be held this July and August in venues across Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin. Kiwi fans will be able to witness this fierce sporting rivalry, akin to Australia vs. New Zealand, up close and personal as one of the fastest, most exhilarating sports on the planet is played out in our own backyard.

Visa cardholders can purchase tickets to all matches prior to the general public in the Visa Entertainment pre-sale which runs from 9am on Wednesday 16 February to 5pm on Sunday 20 February. Presale ticket details are available at www.visaentertainment.co.nz.

As an additional incentive to pay with Visa, all tickets purchased on Visa credit, debit or prepaid cards by 30 June 2011 will go in the draw to win access to a signing session with the players and signed jerseys as worn by the team’s captains Kyle Quincy (Canada) and Rob Schremp (USA).

The schedule of games is as follows:

· Auckland’s Vector Arena 23 July
· Christchurch’s CBS Canterbury Arena 30 July
· Dunedin’s Ice Stadium 3 August 2011

The teams will consist of a star-studded line up of NHL players including Kyle Quincy (Colorado Avalanche) and Rob Schremp (New York Islanders) who will be fresh from the 2010/11 season, with the Stanley Cup playoffs having finished only a month earlier.

Kiwis will be able to look forward to a series that is going to have the hard hits associated with rugby league, the finesse of a Dan Carter penalty goal, and the speed of a Shane Bond delivery.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public on 1 March 2011.

Visa cardholders in New Zealand are eligible for free membership of Visa Entertainment, a cardholder benefit program providing access to special offers from some major entertainment brands.

Cardholders can sign up to the programme at www.visaentertainment.co.nz to access special offers instantly using their Visa credit, debit or prepaid card. No points or waiting periods are required for redemption.

The International Ice Hockey presale is the latest in a host of offerings from Visa Entertainment, including ticket presales for Bon Jovi, John Mayer, Lady Gaga, Pearl Jam, Simon and Garfunkel, COLDPLAY, Westlife, Rock2WGTN, The Rolling Stones, Snow Patrol, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Elton John and INXS.

For more entertainment offers go to www.visaentertainment.co.nz