RETO SPORTS, LLC of Atlanta, Ga. announced in September that it will present REYNALDO NAVIA y SUS AMIGOS vs. XELAJU (a Guatemalan soccer club) at Finley Stadium Oct. 14. Kickoff will take place at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are currently on sale and are available online at www.ticketlatino.com, as well as in select locations in Tennessee and Georgia. Prices are $25, $30 and $35 per section.

RETO SPORTS, LLC is an Atlanta-based sports brand which is partnering with the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce’s International Business Council and the Chattanooga Football Club to promote the match in Chattanooga.

“This is another great opportunity for Chattanooga to support its international communities as we draw visitors from across the country and promote commerce in our area,” said Gladys Pineda-Loher, business diversity coordinator for the Chattanooga Chamber. “This match also marks an especially important day of culture in our community, as the International Business Council partners with the German-American Chamber of Commerce and the Chattanooga Market to celebrate Oktoberfest the very same morning.”

“With National Hispanic Heritage Month held in September, these events celebrate two seasons of appreciation for cultures with distinctive presences in Chattanooga,” said Pineda-Loher. “The Chattanooga Chamber’s contributions to these activities are the latest expression of our continuing commitment to enhancing the quality of life for our international communities and promoting economic development in our region.”

Sheldon Grizzle, a representative of the Chattanooga Football Club, said the match will strengthen Chattanooga’s reputation as a growing soccer destination in the Southeast.

“Hosting the top team from Guatemala is yet another validation that Chattanooga is emerging as a community that truly supports soccer,” said Sheldon Grizzle, adding that the Chattanooga Football Club is excited to play a role in supporting the growth of this sport in the community.

Jose Jr. Loa, owner of Carniceria Loa and board member of the International Business

Council, expressed appreciation to local leaders for bringing popular Latino spectator sports to the area, saying the large crowds the events draw bring substantial new business to the 11 Latino grocery stores his family represents.

“Events such as the Mexican soccer match hosted in July and the Guatemalan match coming up in October bring Latino audiences from all over the region together to celebrate a shared cultural pastime,” said Loa. “For businesses that cater to Latino markets, these are incredible opportunities to increase their visibility and connect with some of the largest target audiences they will see all year. I’m glad to report the last match brought scores of new customers to my stores, and I’m still enjoying a significant increase in profits as a result.”

Juan Trujillo, president and CEO of RETO SPORTS, LLC and the match’s primary organizer, said one of the central goals of the event will be to engage Latino-owned businesses as vendors, sponsors and volunteers.

“From start to finish, this match will celebrate our Latino communities at every level of input,” he said. “We want 100 percent of the resources we use to come from Latino providers.”

The International Business Council is currently recruiting businesses and volunteers to assist with the event. To get involved, please contact Gladys Pineda-Loher at gpineda-loher@chattanoogachamber.com. 

Finley Stadium is located at 1826 Carter St. and is the home stadium for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team, as well as various high school sports and musical concerts. The stadium has a capacity of 20,668. This event is expected to sell out and fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets early.