The District will host Major League Soccer’s All-Star Game next year, officials announced Thursday.

The game – one of the league’s marquee contests – will take place on July 19, 2023 at Audi Field in Southwest. MLS Commissioner Don Garber said the league landed on D.C. because of its dedicated soccer fan base and Audi Field, which opened in 2018 and is home to D.C. United.

“There was very little question that we were going to bring an All-Star game to Audi Field,” Garber said during a press conference at the stadium. “We committed to them very early on – build a stadium, we’ll deliver you one of our premiere events.”

Officials did not announce specifics about the game, including the MLS team’s opponents in the match. Several other events, including concerts and parties, will take place in the week leading up to the contest.

The last time the District hosted an MLS All-Star game was in 2004, at the now-defunct RFK Stadium. The contest recognizes the soccer league’s top players. The MLS team roster is determined by league officials, and through a combination of votes from fans, media, and players.

This year’s All-Star game is scheduled to take place on August 10 at Allianz Field in Minnesota.

During the news conference, Mayor Muriel Bowser said the All-Star game will provide a boon to businesses near Audi Field in Navy Yard and along the Capitol Riverfront.

“There’s an economic benefit to it but there’s also just a happiness and pride benefit to it,” she said.

Danita Johnson, the president of business operations for D.C. United, touted the 20,000-seat Audi Field as a year-round destination for entertainment.

“Our club’s mission is to grow the game of soccer on and off the field, focused on enriching our community and making the sport accessible to all,” she said. “The 2023 All-Star game accomplishes all of the above.”

Thursday’s announcement arrived a week after the District was snubbed for another major soccer event. The nation’s capital was passed over as a host city for the 2026 World Cup, edged out by 16 other cities in the U.S., Mexico and Canada.