Mt Smart soccer clarification

Recent news reports have speculated upon negotiations between the Auckland Regional Council (ARC) and US Major League Soccer team LA Galaxy to hold an exhibition match at Mt Smart Stadium.

We can confirm the ARC is currently in negotiations with the LA Galaxy but, as yet, a contractual agreement to bring the LA Galaxy team to New Zealand later this year has not been completed.

The ARC will make an announcement on the outcome of these negotiations as soon as they are completed. It is hoped that this will be in the next few weeks.

The ARC would like to clarify the following points:

* The ARC is pursuing this event on a commercial basis with no cost to regional ratepayers. These commercial arrangements will take into account ticket sales, sponsorship, merchandising and corporate hosting.

* The selection and announcement of an invitational team to play the LA Galaxy will be confirmed once contract negotiations have been completed.

* The proposed date of the sporting fixture is Saturday 6 December 2008.