PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Timbers announced today that they will expand the seating capacity at JELD-WEN Field for all their home games in 2012. Additionally, the team announced it will increase the number of season tickets available in its second MLS season to 14,500.
At the end of the team’s inaugural MLS season, the Timbers increased capacity for two home games and, after a detailed analysis, permanently will raise capacity for matches at JELD-WEN Field to over 20,000. In addition to opening seats in existing sections, the Timbers are exploring other new seating options at JELD-WEN Field that will limit impact on the main concourse, including areas in the southeast corner, Widmer Brothers Southern Front and KeyBank Club Deck.
As such, the new capacity number will be determined at a later date leading into the team’s second season in MLS.
“After taking a detailed look at increasing capacity at the end of our first MLS season, we are comfortable with raising capacity at JELD-WEN Field to accommodate the demand for tickets without negatively impacting the fan experience,” said Mike Golub, COO of the Timbers.
The Timbers sold out each of their 17 league games in their inaugural MLS season and currently have a Season Ticket Waiting List that numbers well over 5,000 people.
Further, the team already has surpassed a 97 percent renewal rate on 2012 season tickets.
The Timbers originally set a cap of 12,000 season tickets for the 2011 inaugural season but raised that number to 12,500 due to demand. Current season ticket holders are now given the opportunity to relocate their seats and/or add a limited number of seats through Nov. 11. Today’s announcement represents a 2,000-seat increase in season ticket availability over the 2011 season.
Fans interested in joining the Timbers’ Season Ticket Waiting List can contact a Timbers ticket representative at (503) 553-5555 or by email at ticketsales@portlandtimbers.com. With a $50 per-seat refundable deposit to join the waiting list, fans can secure the chance to purchase season tickets when they become available, have priority for additional ticket plans released by the club and have access to special pre-sale opportunities, among other benefits.
IMPORTANT DATES
Oct. 25 – Existing season ticket holder relocation appointments begin to relocate and/or add seats
Nov. 11 – Final relocation appointments for existing season ticket holders
Nov. 14 – Appointment times for half-season ticket holders with the opportunity to purchase full-season seats
Nov. 15 – Appointment times for five-game plan holders with the opportunity to purchase full-season seats
Nov. 16 – Appointment times for mini-plan purchasers with the opportunity to purchase full-season seats
Nov. 17 – Season Ticket Waiting List appointments begin
Nov. 18-21 – Offices closed
Nov. 22 – Resume Season Ticket Waiting List appointments
