The Spirit Welcomes Dogs to Audi Field for a Special Pitchside Pups Match, presented by PEDIGREE®
Partnering with PEDIGREE®, the Spirit will offer several dog-related activations as the team looks to continue its streak as the hottest team in town
Washington, D.C. (05/20/2024) – The Washington Spirit welcomes its fans and furriest friends to Audi Field on Friday night for a special “Pitchside Pups” match. After rising to the third spot on the NWSL table with last weekend’s 4-2 win, the Spirit continues to show that it’s the most exciting team to watch in the DMV with a cohort of talented rookies and world-class veterans. Star forward Trinity Rodman tallied two goals last weekend for her first brace of the season. The NWSL’s March/April Rookie of the Month, Croix Bethune, also added two assists on Saturday to tie Rodman’s 2021 campaign for the league rookie record for assists in a season at six.
The club is raising the bar off the pitch as well with a variety of dog-friendly experiences tailored to animal lovers. Fans who wish to attend the match with their dogs must claim their tickets and register their pups by Tuesday night.
Fans and dogs alike will enjoy enhanced entertainment options and amenities that will create an unforgettable atmosphere from the moment gates open until well after the final whistle blows.
The fun begins well before the gates at Audi Field open. The Spirit is set to host a “Yappy Hour” at Dacha Beer Garden in Navy Yard beginning at 4:00 p.m. ET. Here, fans and their dogs will have the chance to win special prizes before taking a group march at 6:30 p.m. ET to Gate B of Audi Field. The march is less than half a mile and will be led by a group of Spirit ambassadors.
Just outside of Audi Field, Sandlot Bar will open for fans. This converted shipping container bar and event space has been serving up drinks and energy in locations around the DMV since 2018, when it debuted as an activation idea for the 2018 MLB All-Star Game at Nationals Park.
The Spirit is teaming up with PEDIGREE® to deliver one-of-a-kind activations on the Spirit concourse during this Pitchside Pups match. Wolf Trap Animal Rescue (WTAR), supported by PEDIGREE®, will host an animal adoption event on the concourse prior to the match. WTAR focuses efforts on rescuing high-risk animals from euthanasia, neglect and abuse and runs one of the DMV’s most inclusive pet adoption programs.
There will also be a dog costume contest, so be sure your pup arrives to the match in style. If you forget, don’t fret: The first 12,000 fans will receive a co-branded Spirit x PEDIGREE® bandana for themselves or their pooch. Other dog-centric activations include a pet product sampling area, photo booth, leash and bag distribution and a local pet small business tabling area.
Spirit Stage will remain as fans’ destination for pre-match musical entertainment with a DJ turning up the vibes ahead of kickoff. And be sure to stay in your seat at halftime! Christian & Scooby, who made it all the way to the final on America’s Got Talent, will give fans an electrifying and acrobatic performance. The duo, with hundreds of thousands of social media followers, has entertained around the world, having held a Las Vegas residency, made countless stops at professional sports matches and even making appearances on ESPN.
Tickets Still Available
All fans who wish to bring their beloved pups must purchase a ticket in the dog-friendly sections here and register their dog ahead of Tuesday night’s deadline. All dog seating will be arranged in pod-style to allow for space between pups and to create an optimal viewing experience for their owners.
Additionally, $5 student tickets and four-match mini plans, and season memberships are all still available!
Guest Services
Introduced last season for the first time at Audi Field, the Washington Spirit, in partnership with D.C. United, installed a Mamava nursing pod for parents near Guest Services inside Gate A. The private, sanitary space provides comfortable seating and power outlets for pumping equipment. Keyless entry and vacancy alerts are available by downloading the Mamava app.
Fans can communicate with Audi Field officials via text with any questions, concerns or emergencies at the following number: 202-918-3838. All ticketed fans will also receive a post-match survey following each game to allow the club to offer continual improvements on the matchday experience.
Transportation
Fans are encouraged to use public transportation on matchday, disembarking at either the Navy Yard-Ballpark or Waterfront Metrorail Stations. The Navy Yard Station has more capacity and is located just one stop away on the Green Line from the Anacostia Metrorail Station where parking is also available. Fans can also use the ADA shuttle that runs from Navy Yard Metro to Audi Field starting pregame and running through postgame.
About The Washington Spirit
The Washington Spirit is the professional women’s soccer team based in Washington, D.C. and plays at Audi Field in Buzzard Point. The Spirit was founded on November 21, 2012 and are an inaugural member of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), the premier women’s soccer league in North America. For more information about the Spirit, visit WashingtonSpirit.com and follow the club on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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