JERSEY CITY, NJ (Wednesday, June 5, 2024) – The reigning National Women’s Soccer League champions NJ/NY Gotham FC prepare to host West Coast rivals Angel City FC during a celebration of Pride at Red Bull Arena on Saturday, June 8 (12:30 p.m. ET, CBS). Highlights of the festivities include a special pre-game meet-and-greet with club owner and WNBA legend Sue Bird, coin toss provided by fashion icon Stacy London, access to the official Gotham FC Pride merchandise collection, and live performances by comedians and writers Freddie Shanel and Conor Jandain. 

Performing the national anthem will be Jan Sport – a singer and drag queen – who rose to fame as a contestant on “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Jan Sport also has roots in the area and in the sport as a New Jersey native, who grew up playing soccer. 

Exclusive Gate Giveaways
As fans enter the stadium on Saturday, Gotham FC will provide exclusive, limited-edition Pride enamel lapel pins to the first 5,000 supporters, while supplies last. The Gotham FC Fan Fest presented by CarMax will open at 10 a.m. outside Gate B at Red Bull Arena, with 1,000 custom Pride fans and flags giveaways while supplies last. Fans are encouraged to arrive early. 

Gotham FC Fan Fest presented by CarMax
A special fan meet-and-greet with Gotham FC owner, five-time Olympic gold medalist, and four-time WNBA champion Sue Bird will take place from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in the Inner Plaza. The special opportunity allows fans to take a photo with the legendary athlete. 
*Note: Gotham FC Season Ticket Members will have exclusive access to a priority line for this exciting opportunity by showing their Member ID to the onsite staff member. The Member ID is available in the account holder’s 'My Events' tab by scrolling down to the unique GFC ID. 

Bringing the culinary flavors to Fan Fest will be food trucks from Paradise Taco and Sweet Spot Donuts to continue the mid-morning brunch theme. Fans ages 21 and older can head over to Crossbar for a special offering of mimosas and rosé beginning at 11 a.m.  

Directly across from Crossbar, the main stage will feature DJ Luv creating the atmosphere with a live set. In addition, the Crossbar stage will host special live performances by comedian and writer Freddie Shanel and stand-up comedian and writer Conor Jandain.

Favorites of the Fan Fest presented by CarMax include the return of the Mini Pitch Powered by RWJBarnabas Health, which gives younger fans a chance to unleash their talents in an exhilarating 3v3 game. The interactive activities provide supporters of all ages with a chance to aim and score big in the Penalty Kick game, which challenges fans to hit as many targets as possible to win exciting Gotham FC prizes. 

Face painting is available for fans to wear their Gotham FC pride, while the Spirit Station will also be open for fans to design custom signs to rally behind their favorite players.

2024 Gotham FC Pride Merchandise Collection
The limited-edition 2024 Gotham FC Pride Merchandise Collection is available now at GothamFC.com and will be available at the match. This year’s collection is incredibly special, as it is modeled by Gotham FC fans, Cloud 9 members, and Season Ticket members. Supporters helped bring this collection to life, making it a true celebration of the club’s community.

The 2024 collection includes the following items:

• Heavyweight Muscle Tee has a boxy fit, wide-rib collar, tapered neck, and structured shoulders, placing a focus on the Gotham FC crown at the shirt’s center in the club’s iconic blue surrounded by continuous outlines of colors. 

• Pride Gotham FC Black Tee with every letter of the club’s wordmark taking on a different color and punctuated by the championship star above the club name. 

• Pride Tote that features a large capacity, eco-friendly 8 oz. canvas, with heavy-weight stitching throughout, including cross-stitching at the handles for maximum strength. The tote is available in both tan and black. 

• Beach Wash Sky Hoodie is a first-of-its-kind Gotham FC hoodie with puff embellishment that raises the logo for a unique look.

• Beach Wash Sky Tee is also includes puff embellishment to raise the logo on soft fabric with a worn-in, vintage look.

The primary merchandise location will be on the Plaza Level, across from Horizon Gate, and secondary location will be on the Concourse across from Gate C.  Fans can skip the lines! Order ahead at https://gothamfcshop.com. 

Gotham FC Torch Lighting Ceremony
The honorary Gotham FC Torchbearer for the match will be Sue Bird, joining community partner Paul Clark of AFC and Cloud 9 member Ellen Parkhurst.  During this Gotham FC home tradition, dignitaries and celebrities join members of the community and the club’s passionate supporters group for the ceremonial pregame lighting of an eight-foot tall torch that ignites with a live flame before kickoff.

Cloud 9 Prideraiser
Through their 2024 Prideraiser, Gotham FC’s official supporters group Cloud 9 is raising funds for the Ali Forney Center – which protects LGBTQ youth from homelessness. To participate, fans can pledge a specific dollar amount for every goal that Gotham FC scores in the month of June. More information is available at cloud9.prideraiser.org. 

###