Midfielder Seth Stammler with the stadium countdown clock

The New York Red Bulls announced today that it will open Red Bull Arena on Saturday, March 27, 2010, when they host the Chicago Fire at 7:00 PM ET for the start their 2010 MLS Regular Season slate.

The game will be telecast nationally on ESPN2. The match is just 184 days away and will be the first MLS game in the new stadium.

“We are excited to be opening Red Bull Arena on the first weekend of MLS action,” said Red Bulls Managing Director Erik Stover. “Red Bull Arena will provide an unparalleled experience for our fans and players. The inaugural match will be a special evening and we look forward to showcasing our new stadium.”

Easily accessible by public transportation and located in a diverse soccer hotbed, Red Bull Arena, located in Harrison, NJ, is expected to be one of the premier venues of its kind in the United States. Vertical construction on the 25,000-seat venue started in August 2008. With seats as close as seven yards from the touchline and located underneath a dynamic 360-degree roof, Red Bull Arena will be the ultimate sporting experience for soccer and causal fans alike. Detailed information regarding Red Bull Arena can be found by logging onto www.redbullarena.us.

The Red Bulls’ opener will be the first match of a 30-game schedule, which will be released by the League in full prior to the kickoff of next season.

New York Red Bulls 2010 Full Season Ticket Plans go on sale to the general public on Thursday, October 15, at 10 AM ET. Fans who are interested in getting Preferred Access for seat selection prior to the general public on-sale date may place a $50 deposit by Oct. 9 at 5:00 PM by contacting the Red Bulls at 1.877.RBSOCCER.

The Red Bulls kick off a three-game road swing when travel to face Chivas USA on Saturday, Sept. 26 at The Home Depot Center at 10:30 PM ET (TV: FSC, FSE; Radio: WADO 1280 AM).