Auditions for the eighth season of American Idol begin Thursday, July 17, at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, CA, and will continue in seven other cities. Once again, auditioners will have an extraordinary opportunity to perform before millions of TV viewers and become household names, with one winning the coveted American Idol title and a major recording contract.

Auditions will be held as follows:

San Francisco, CA - Thursday, July 17 - Cow Palace
Louisville, KY - Monday, July 21 - Freedom Hall
Phoenix, AZ - Friday, July 25 - Jobing.com Arena
Salt Lake City, UT - Tuesday, July 29 - EnergySolutions Arena
San Juan, Puerto Rico - Saturday, Aug. 2 - Coliseo de Puerto Rico
Kansas City, MO - Friday, Aug. 8 - Sprint Center
Jacksonville, FL - Wednesday, Aug. 13 - Veterans Memorial Arena
East Rutherford, NJ - Tuesday, Aug. 19 - IZOD Center at the Meadowlands
Sports Complex

Specific information for the San Francisco auditions is below. More details for the additional audition cities will be announced shortly.

San Francisco American Idol Auditions

WHO: Men and women 16-28 years old as of July 15, 2008, who are
eligible to work in the U.S. Some restrictions apply - please visit americanidol.com for specific information.

WHERE: The Cow Palace
2600 Geneva Ave.
Daly City, CA 94014

WHEN: Thursday, July 17

HOW: Wristbands will be distributed from 7:00 AM on Tuesday, July 15 until 8:00 AM on Thursday, July 17. Auditioners will not be permitted to camp out; therefore, once they obtain their wristbands, they will be asked to return to the Cow Palace on Thursday, July 17.

Audition information, including forms and requirements, is available online at AmericanIdol.com.

American Idol is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; Nigel Lythgoe, President, 19 Television; and Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.