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

2008 STATE FARM ARCH RIVALRY TICKETS
ON SALE AT 10 A.M. TOMORROW (JULY 22)

            ST. LOUIS – July 21, 2008 – Tickets for the 2008 State Farm Arch Rivalry football game between Illinois and Missouri go on sale at 10 a.m. tomorrow (July 22).  Fans can purchase terrace sideline ($35) and terrace end zone ($15) tickets online at www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at 314-241-1888 or 866-646-8849 (toll free), or in person at all Ticketmaster outlets.  Tickets will not be sold at the Edward Jones Dome box office.  A $2 per ticket facility fee and Ticketmaster convenience charges will also apply.  Orders are limited to a maximum of four tickets.

With both the Fighting Illini and Tigers coming off outstanding seasons and projected to enter the 2008 campaign ranked, tickets are in high demand for their primetime showdown on Aug. 30 at the Edward Jones Dome.  Fans are encouraged to order tickets as soon as they go on sale at 10 a.m.  Following advanced sales through the universities, fewer than 3,000 tickets are available. 

“The excitement surrounding the Illinois and Missouri football programs is taking the game to a whole new level,” said Kathleen “Kitty” Ratcliffe, president of the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission (CVC), which partners with the St. Louis Sports Commission to produce the Arch Rivalry series.  “We’re looking forward to the incredible atmosphere the matchup will create throughout Downtown and inside the Edward Jones Dome on Aug. 30.”

Kickoff for the 2008 State Farm Arch Rivalry is set for 7:30 p.m.  The game will be televised by ESPN.  This marks the fourth year of the schools’ now-annual Labor Day weekend series in St. Louis.  Last year, Mizzou held on for a thrilling 40-34 win.  It was victory No. 1 in a season that saw the Tigers capture the Big 12 North crown, win the Cotton Bowl and finish 12-2.  Illinois had its own season to remember.  The Illini recorded an impressive nine wins and earned a trip to the Rose Bowl.  In addition to last season, the Illini and Tigers played at the Edward Jones Dome in 2002 and 2003.  The average attendance for the three games was 62,601 – a number sure to be eclipsed this year.

“We’re so very pleased to see our colleagues at Illinois and Mizzou achieve so much success over the past year,” said Sports Commission President Frank Viverito.  “And we’re especially happy for their fan bases and for St. Louis sports fans who will be treated to one of the biggest games on this year’s college football calendar.”

ARCH RIVALRY PEP RALLY:

In addition to putting tickets on sale for the game, the CVC and Sports Commission, along with media partners KMOX and KFNS, will host an Arch Rivalry pep rally from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. tomorrow in Kiener Plaza in Downtown St. Louis.  The pep rally is free to the public and will feature Illinois and Mizzou player and spirit squad appearances, autograph opportunities, live music and ticket giveaways to the most spirited fans.

For more information on the State Farm Arch Rivalry and surrounding fan activities, visit www.statefarmarchrivalry.com.

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.

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