2009 Monster Energy® AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, Schedule Announced – Four New Stadiums and Three New Cities Added to Schedule

AURORA, Ill. (June 23, 2008) – Live Nation Motor Sports, Inc., announced today the 2009 Monster Energy® AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, schedule, which includes three new markets and four new stadiums. The 2009 Monster Energy® Supercross season begins January 3 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., and concludes at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas May 2. 

The traditional stop in Indianapolis will give racers and fans alike a new look as the race will move from the RCA Dome to the beautiful new Lucas Oil Stadium February 28. With a retractable roof, Lucas Oil Stadium can seat an additional 5,000 fans compared to the RCA Dome. Lucas Oil Stadium is the new home of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts. 

Since hosting its last supercross in 2002, New Orleans’ Superdome has undergone dramatic changes due to the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina. As part of the city’s rebuilding process, Monster Energy® Supercross will return to the Superdome March 14. After reopening on September 25, 2006, the Superdome’s increasingly busy schedule is synonymous with its rich heritage in the French Quarter. In February this year Monster Jam® set an attendance record by selling out the Superdome with 60,217 fans attending the first motorsports event at the venue since 2005. Adding Monster Energy® Supercross to the list of the Superdome’s premier events is part of the developing economic growth taking place in New Orleans as the city returns to business as one of the country’s most popular destination cities. 

On April 4, the inaugural Monster Energy® Supercross race will take place at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. Located on the St. Johns River in downtown Jacksonville, the stadium plays host to some of the country’s premier entertainment events including Super Bowl XXXIX and Monster Jam, which recorded a record 70,611 fans earlier this year. Jacksonville Municipal Stadium is home to the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars. 

Monster Energy® Supercross returns to Salt Lake City’s Rice-Eccles Stadium April 25 for the first time since 2004. The first supercross race held at Rice-Eccles Stadium took place in 2001 where 42,135 packed the home of the 2002 Olympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies to watch Ricky Carmichael race to victory. 

“The resilience that the city of New Orleans has shown over the past few years is amazing, and we are elated to bring Monster Energy® Supercross back to the Superdome,” said Charlie Mancuso, president, Live Nation Motor Sports, Inc. “The state of Florida is home to many of the top stars of supercross and has a rich heritage for supercross racing, so bringing Monster Energy® Supercross to Jacksonville Municipal Stadium is a perfect fit as it adds another great racing stop to the Southeast. In addition, bringing supercross back to Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City after a five-year break will give fans from the Intermountain region a new look at today’s supercross icons. The move to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis is equally exciting and has been anticipated for the past few years. While playing at RCA Dome, we’ve been able to monitor the construction of the massive Lucas Oil Stadium, and in 2009 the move next door will be worth the wait.” 

"Monster Energy® AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, is the preeminent supercross championship on the planet," said Rob Dingman, AMA president and CEO. "For 2009, the AMA is very proud to, once again, partner with Live Nation Motor Sports to showcase the international stars, teams and stadiums that make this championship the most exciting, best-attended and widely viewed competition of its kind anywhere in the world." 

“The joint efforts of Live Nation Motor Sports, the AMA and the FIM have again set the riders' and teams' stage for an exciting 2009 Monster Energy® AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship season,” said FIM President Vito Ippolito.  “For many riders and teams, Anaheim will once again be the start of their quest for the supercross grail. For the many supercross fans all over the world, it will be the beginning of another thrilling season. In the end, only one rider will be standing and he will be crowned the 2009 World Champion. With the consolidation of the AMA/FIM Series this past season into one unified World Championship, supercross has reached world status.  The next challenge will be to export Monster Energy® AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, events worldwide." 

The astounding attendance numbers posted at Atlanta’s Georgia Dome signify the popularity of Monster Energy® Supercross in the Southeast. Over the past few years, attendance numbers have soared past 70,000 at the Georgia Dome, so adding Jacksonville to this region of the country helps balance the schedule. 

“Year in and year out, the Georgia Dome has been one of the schedule’s premier races, and we expect the addition of Jacksonville to follow suit,” added Mancuso. “Our Monster Jam show at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium last year attracted a sell-out of 70,611 fans, so we are excited to showcase Monster Energy® Supercross in the market.”

2009 Monster Energy® AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship, Schedule

January 3, 2009                         Anaheim, Calif.                          Angel Stadium

January 10, 2009                       Phoenix                                    Chase Field

February 21, 2009                      Atlanta                                      Georgia Dome

February 28, 2009                      Indianapolis                              Lucas Oil Stadium

March 6, 2009                           Daytona Beach, Fla.                  Daytona Motor Speedway

March 14, 2009                          New Orleans                              Superdome

March 28, 2009                          Toronto, Canada                       Rogers Centre