Indio, California - February 8, 2025
MLS Preseason at the Coachella Valley Invitational Meet & Greet
What:
An SMWW Meet & Greet to visit with fellow students, faculty, and SMWW guests in sports business at the Coachella Valley Invitational for the MLS Preseason. Bonus: See 10 MLS teams play in 2 days! Game tickets are separate from SMWW Meet and Greet registration.
When:
February 8th, 2025 (Saturday):
Over the weekend of February 8 and 9, 2025, see 12 MLS teams play! On Saturday, after the games, friends of SMWW, scouts, players, staff, faculty, and MLS Executives, met for appetizers and drinks after the games at the Coachella Valley Empire Polo Grounds Tack Room Tavern from 4pm-6pm! We had a great turn out for both the games and the Meet & Greet last year and look forward to growing it this year!
Where:
The Coachella Valley in California, is home to nine cities including Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, and Rancho Mirage. The MLS Soccer matches are played at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. The soccer fields are side by side. Note: The Empire Polo Grounds are 25 miles from the Palm Springs, California airport.
The SMWW Meet & Greet is in Indio, California at the Tack Room Tavern, right next to the soccer fields at the Coachella Valley Empire Polo Grounds where the MLS action takes place! You will walk off the soccer field to the Tack Room Tavern.
Who in invited:
Open to the public, our SMWW students, alumni, staff, and faculty. Join scouts, coaches, agents, athletes, soccer business minds, and future soccer leaders. Join Dr. Lashbrook, Liz Lashbrook, Matt Martin, Maikel Tsuji, Gordon Kljestan, Robert Vidrio, Eddie Rock, Joey Yusunas, and many more! (Attendees subject to change based on team schedules.)
Why:
The 2025 Coachella Valley Invitational is held at Empire Polo Grounds in Indio, California. This event serves as preseason action for 14 Major League Soccer teams! You'll be able to attend multiple games a day and see as many as 8 teams play in a day! Come down and enjoy some winter sunshine in California and see these teams play!
MLS DAY 2 – SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8
11AM: AUSTIN FC VS SPORTING KANSAS CITY
12PM: SAN DIEGO FC VS. NEW YORK CITY FC
1:30PM: SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES VS NEW YORK RED BULLS
2:30PM: PORTLAND TIMBERS VS. CHICAGO FIRE FC
4:00PM: SMWW Meet & Greet at Tack Room Tavern
MLS DAY 3 – SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9
10AM LA GALAXY VS CHARLOTTE FC
11:30AM MINNESOTA UNITED FC VS. ST. LOUIS CITY SC
Looking for tickets? You can purchase day passes through this link here!
What these games are:
The MLS has 3 locations hosting preseason games prior to the 2025 season. The Coachella Valley Invitational is the largest site with the most MLS teams at 14. The two weeks of competition are the last chance for teams to assemble and prepare their rosters for the upcoming season. These games will include an expanded roster of the main players and the very best of their second team or affiliated team players to determine who will make the final 30 man roster and who will move or stay on the second team roster. Teams use these games as final looks and is the most crucial stretch of preparation for these teams and a great chance for fans to see a large number of teams play in one location!
Buy your game tickets here: You can purchase day passes through this link here!
"The Coachella Valley Invitational has become a premier preseason event in global soccer, thanks to AEG’s expertise in producing world-class events. With state-of-the-art facilities, professional organization, and a unique environment, Coachella provides MLS clubs with a terrific opportunity to prepare for the 2025 upcoming season. " -MLS Commissioner Don Garber
Conference Registration includes:
January 1st
General Admission : $ $50.00 USD
** Please note that the meet & greet fee does not include flight or hotel accommodations.
Walk-up registrations will not be accepted. Please register online in advance.
Information:
- Meet & Greet with snacks and drinks after the February 10th games with SMWW Faculty Dr. Lashbrook, Liz Lashbrook, Matt Martin, Maikel Tsuji, Gordon Kljestan, and many more!
Where to stay?
Look for Airbnbs and hotels in Indio, California
What airport should I fly in to?
- Palm Springs International (PSP) 23 miles to Empire Polo Grounds in Indio, California
- Ontario, California (ONT) 91 miles to Empire Polo Grounds in Indio, California
- San Diego, California (SAN) 134 miles to Empire Polo Grounds in Indio, California
- Los Angeles International, California (LAX) 145 miles to Empire Polo Grounds in Indio, California
