For more information, contact:
The St. Louis Sports Commission
314-992-0684
ncohan@stlouissports.org

           ST. LOUIS – Aug. 27, 2007 – As Labor Day weekend approaches and fans start to think football, ticket sales for the State Farm Arch Rivalry are accelerating.  Still, tickets remain available in several desirable locations, giving fans the opportunity to secure great seats for the Sept. 1 season opener between Mizzou and Illinois at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.  Kickoff is at 2:30 p.m.

A small number of tickets are available in the lower level and club level of the Dome.  Additionally, fans will find great sideline seats open in the terrace level.  Terrace sideline tickets are only $30.  Fans looking for an even lower admission price can get their hands on terrace endzone tickets at $15 – a terrific bargain for big-time college football.

To order tickets, fans can log on to Ticketmaster.com; call 314-241-1888 or 866-646-8849; or visit a Ticketmaster outlet.  Starting today, fans can also purchase tickets at the Edward Jones Dome box office.  The box office is located on the east side of the Dome on Broadway.  It will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. this week.  On Saturday, the box office will be open from 10 a.m. until halftime.  Tickets bought at the box office are not subject to convenience charges (facility fee still applies).

THE WEEKEND LINEUP

With thousands of fans clad in black & gold and orange & blue descending on downtown St. Louis, the Arch Rivalry will have its own bowl-like flavor.  To further contribute to the atmosphere and fan experience, organizers are hosting several free events surrounding the game:

Friday, Aug. 31:

Arch Revelry on the Landing
5 p.m. to Midnight – Laclede’s Landing

The party begins Friday night.  Laclede’s Landing will be the place to be for Tiger and Illini fans on the eve of the Arch Rivalry game.  “Arch Revelry on the Landing” will feature music, football-themed games, and a battle between the Mizzou and Illinois pep bands.  Music begins at 5 p.m. on Second Street.  Inflatable games and a bean bag toss competition – a tailgating favorite – will be set up on First Street starting at 6 p.m.  The pep bands take the stage at Second and Morgan streets at 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 1:

Arch Rivalry organizers and both the Mizzou and Illinois alumni associations have big pregame plans Saturday morning.  Beginning at 10:30 a.m., Tiger fans will gather immediately south of the Edward Jones Dome at “Mizzou Headquarters.”  At 11 a.m., the Illinois Alumni Association kicks off the Illini Tailgate just across the street from the Dome’s southeast entrance.  Also at 11 a.m., the Bud Light Tailgate Party – the game’s official pregame tailgate – gets under way with live music at the FSN Midwest Stage along with fun for all ages at the KFNS Fan Fest.  All events have free admission and will feature performances by the universities’ marching bands and spirit squads.  The schedule of official pregame events follows:

Mizzou Headquarters in St. Louis
10:30 a.m. to kickoff (and postgame)
Sixth Street & Convention Plaza (south of the Dome)

Illini Tailgate
11 a.m. to kickoff (rally at 1 p.m.)
Broadway & Convention Plaza (southeast of the Dome)

Bud Light Tailgate Party – featuring live music at the FSN Midwest Stage and fun for all ages at the KFNS Fan Fest
11 a.m. to kickoff
Baer Plaza (east of the Dome)

Saturday, Sept. 1 & Sunday, Sept. 2:

Big Muddy Blues Festival
3 to 11 p.m. – Laclede’s Landing

After an intense afternoon of football, fans can wind down at the free Big Muddy Blues Festival on Laclede’s Landing.  The 2007 Festival welcomes the legendary blues band John Mayall and The Bluesbreakers to the main stage on Sunday.  Mayall is considered one of the foremost blues musicians in the world.  Additional main stage headliners include: New Orleans' Big Sam's Funky Nation; Delta bluesmen Terry “Big T” Williams & Wesley “Junebug” Jefferson; Devon Allman's Honeytribe; Big George Brock & The Houserockers; and Kim Massie.

HOTEL AND VISITOR INFORMATION

Fans needing assistance reserving hotel rooms for the Arch Rivalry weekend can call the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission at 800-916-8937 or visit www.explorestlouis.com.  St. Louis visitor information is also available at that web address.  Fans seeking directions to the Edward Jones Dome and parking information can log on to the game’s website at www.statefarmarchrivalry.com.

The State Farm Arch Rivalry is hosted by the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission and the St. Louis Sports Commission.  This year’s game kicks off a Labor Day weekend tradition in St. Louis as Mizzou and Illinois will open the season annually at the Edward Jones Dome.  The Tigers and Illini are scheduled to play in the Gateway City on Aug. 30, 2008; Sept. 5, 2009; and Sept. 4, 2010.

The St. Louis Sports Commission is the privately funded nonprofit organization that benefits St. Louis through sports.
Its mission is to make the St. Louis region a better place to live, visit, work and play through sports.