Hawaiian Islands Invitational Secures Teams for New ESPN Soccer Event in 2012

ESPN Regional Television (ERT), a subsidiary of ESPN, in cooperation with the Hawai’i Tourism Authority (HTA) and Major League Soccer (MLS), has secured four teams to participate in the Hawaiian Islands Invitational (HII) scheduled for Feb. 23 and 25, 2012, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawai’i.

Yokohama FC (Japan), Incheon United FC (Korea), Melbourne Heart FC (Australia), and the Colorado Rapids (MLS) will compete in the international soccer event.

“We are pleased to announce the four teams participating in the Hawaiian Islands Invitational,” Clint Overby, ESPN Senior Director of Events. “The event will be carried on ESPN3.com and a number of ESPN International networks. This is a great beginning to help get this event off the ground, and our efforts to cultivate it into an annual soccer tournament where people from around the world can share and enjoy.”

Aloha Stadium, the largest outdoor arena in the state of Hawai’i, will feature a new synthetic playing surface and is home to the University of Hawai’i’s Warrior football team and hosts several other events, including the Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl and the NFL Pro Bowl.