Red Bulls to host Autism Acceptance Match this weekend at Red Bull Arena

The New York Red Bulls will be hosting the annual Autism Acceptance Match this Saturday.

News 12 Staff

Apr 8, 2022, 12:18 PM

Updated 993 days ago

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The New York Red Bulls will be hosting the annual Autism Acceptance Match this Saturday.
The match will be presented by Hackensack Meridian Health at 4 p.m. when the Red Bulls host CF Montreal at Red Bull Arena.
For every ticket purchased HERE, the club will donate $3 to Autism CAN.
Autism CAN is an initiative supporting Hackensack Meridian Children's Health mission to provide access to the highest quality care, navigate trusted resources and create specialized environments sensitive to the unique needs of children on the autism spectrum and their families.
Among the amenities to make the match more inviting, music and PA volume will be lower than usual. There will also be a Quiet Zone on the Plaza level, as well as a sensory room. The team's general, Marc de Grandpre, says the match is about making sure everyone gets the chance to take in a sporting event.
"It's just going to be a great environment for everyone to experience the match,” says de Grandpre. “We hope that it drives more families who are reluctant to come out because they have a loved one on the spectrum to come and enjoy the game and realize we can provide them with a safe environment, and hopefully they will come to more games down the road. But ultimately, it's about driving acceptance and inclusivity and making sure everyone has an opportunity to enjoy a sporting event."
Sensory sacks will be available. They include noise-canceling headphones, poppers and stress balls.
In 2017, Red Bull Arena became the first MLS venue to have a permanent sensory room. The room is available for all families impacted by autism for no additional charge during all home matches.
The de Grandpre Family Grant For Autism Programs was formed by the club and awards $5,000 to an organization that works to impact families of loved ones on the autism spectrum.