Ten cities chosen to host matches at Copa America Centenario

10 cities have been chosen to host matches at next year's Copa America Centenario ©Copa America Centenario

Organisers of the Copa America Centenario have revealed 10 cities will play host to matches at next year’s tournament in the United States.

Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco and Seattle have been chosen as the venues for the competition following a “rigorous” selection process.

Each city will stage at least three matches and it has been reported that New York’s MetLife Stadium, home of NFL American football franchises the New York Giants and Jets, will be the venue for the final on June 24.

“These 10 cities and venues will provide a fantastic setting for fans across the world to attend Copa America Centenario and allow them to see the amazing passion for soccer in the United States,” US Soccer President Sunil Gulati said.

“The participating teams and fans will be treated to a first-class environment in each city and stadium, adding to the world-class talent that will be competing on the field.

“We are looking forward to working closely with all of the cities and venues in hosting this prestigious event and creating an extraordinary experience for fans.”

The announcement comes after the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) ended its relationship with Argentine company Datisa, with the governing body taking back its commercial rights for the tournament.

The news came as a boost to organisers as Datisa had been given broadcasting and sponsorship rights for the event but the sports marketing agency became a source of controversy with two of its key figures the subject of US Department of Justice indictments.

Main partners Mariano and Hugo Jinki have been accused of offering and paying bribes to secure marketing rights, as well as money laundering, with American investigators opting to freeze Datisa accounts as part of a Justice Department investigation into corruption.

US Soccer President Sunil Gulati says the 10 cities will provide a fantastic setting for the tournament ©Getty Images

The decision to end the partnership is believed to have removed an obstacle which would have prevented the United States hosting the competition as the scandal raised doubts as to whether the tournament would be held at all.

“For us, it’s truly a source of pride to be able to bring to the United States this unparalleled event - the Copa America Centenario, the oldest national team tournament in the world,” South American Football Confederation President Juan Angel Napout added.

“Without a doubt, this event will provide the luxury of stars on display whose talents shine in the most competitive leagues in the world.

“The party in the United States is a certainty.”

The event, which features 16 teams, is the first edition of its kind to be held outside of South America and will be staged to mark the 100-year anniversary of the Championships, which were first held in Argentina.

The Championships usually take place every four-years, with Chile triumphing on home soil earlier this year, but the Centenario will be held next year as a special one-off tournament.

The United States was chosen to host the competition last month after 24 candidates had submitted bids.