SANDY, Utah -- Real Salt Lake will open its new stadium Oct. 9 against the New York Red Bulls.

RSL hoped to open the venue before the end of this season, but the club wasn't sure if it would be ready in time.

Real owner Dave Checketts said Tuesday that the 20,000-seat stadium will be ready for the Thursday night game against the Red Bulls, which was already scheduled to be televised on ESPN2. It is the second-to-last home game of the regular season.

Construction on the stadium began April 2007 after several funding setbacks. Real will host the MLS All-Star game next summer.