ST PETERSBURG, FL – After an historic and record-breaking 2021 season, the Tampa Bay Rowdies are ready to top themselves in 2022.The path to achieving was laid out on Wednesday when the USL Championship revealed the full schedule for the new season. The Rowdies and 26 other teams across the league will play 34-games across eight months to determine which 14 teams will qualify for the USL Championship Playoffs.
After opening up the season at Birmingham Legion FC’s new home Protective Stadium on Sunday, March 13, the Rowdies return home to Al Lang Stadium for the first time in 2022 to face Indy Eleven on Saturday, March 19. That matchup against Indy is the first of 17 matches set to be played at Al Lang in the regular season. 14 of those home fixtures will take place on a Saturday night, with two others falling on a Friday.
Highlights of the Rowdies home schedule in April include a matchup with in-state rival Miami FC on Saturday, April 9 and a battle against Landon Donovan’s San Diego Loyal SC on Saturday, April 30. A date with perennial Eastern Conference contender Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC on Saturday May 21 is the lone game for the Rowdies at Al Lang that month.
On Saturday, June 4, the Rowdies will host Louisville City FC in a rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference Championship Final, in which the Rowdies came out on top after a dramatic comeback victory. The Rowdies will also have a second shot at Orange County SC on Saturday, August 27 as the Western Conference side returns to Al Lang for the first time since beating Tampa Bay in last year’s USL Championship Final.
In addition to San Diego, two other USL Championship teams will be making their first trips to Al Lang this season. The Rowdies welcome expansion side Detroit City FC to Downtown St Petersburg on Saturday, August 6. Meanwhile, one of the best teams the Western Conference has had to offer over the last few years, El Paso Locomotive FC, comes to town on Wednesday, September 28.
The Rowdies will also be traveling out west for several intriguing matchups this year. On Sunday, May 15, the Green and Gold face off against Western Conference powerhouse, Phoenix Rising FC. Then, on Saturday, August 20, the Rowdies take on last year’s USL Golden Ball and MVP winner Hadji Barry and the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at Weidner Field. Before they play two back-to-back home games to close out the regular season in October, the Rowdies will also travel to play USL Championship newcomer Monterey Bay FC.
The Rowdies are ramping up for another stellar season after finishing last year as regular season champions and claiming their second straight Eastern Conference title. Head Coach Neill Collins recently signed a multi-year extension to remain in charge. Nine players from last year’s squad have already been confirmed to return, with the confirmation of more to come soon.
Fans can lock in their seats to ensure they don’t miss a second of the excitement and joy of Rowdies soccer at Al Lang by becoming a season ticket holder today. Season ticket packages for the 17-game slate of home games start at $170. Click here to secure your season tickets today. Fans can also call 727-222-2000 or visit https://www.rowdiessoccer.com/tickets to learn more about the benefits that come with a season ticket package.
