Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Four of the world’s most storied clubs will play at Hard Rock Stadium in late July.
For the second consecutive summer, Miami will have a moment in the international soccer spotlight.
Coming off the buzz of last year’s El Clasico Miami, four of the world’s most storied clubs will play at Hard Rock Stadium with Bayern Munich taking on Manchester City on July 28 and Manchester United facing Real Madrid on July 31 as part of the sixth-annual International Champions Cup, it was announced on Tuesday.
The four are part of an 18-team field. Each team will play three matches between July 20 and Aug. 12, and the club with the most points at the end of the tournament will be crowned champion to kick off the international soccer season. Only one club will be recognized as overall champ, as opposed to past tournaments where a champion was named from each participating continent.
Miami is one of 11 cities to host U.S.-based matches while eight European cities and Singapore also will have game.
“Interest and fandom for European soccer in the United States and Asia is at an all-time high. Record numbers of new kids from every region and community are finding a passion for the game, the mythical teams and compelling personalities,” said Daniel Sillman, CEO of ICC and Relevent, the multi-national media, sports and entertainment group that owns and operates the International Champions Cup.
Relevant also announced the launch of the Women’s International Champions Cup.
Three of Europe’s top women’s teams and National Women’s Soccer League powerhouse North Carolina Courage will play semifinal matches on July 27 at Hard Rock Stadium with the third-place match and final scheduled to follow on July 29.
“We are committed to finding new and innovative ways [to] bring the teams, players and fans together,” Sillman said. “The first-ever women’s tournament was met with overwhelming response, underscoring the passion for European soccer and our mission.”
Exclusive presale tickets will be available starting Tuesday while general ticket access will open on May 1. Fans can sign up at internationalchampionscup.com for access to the presale.
Last year, at Hard Rock Stadium on July 29, Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 3-2 in front of 66,014 fans in the first installment of El Clasico off Spanish soil in 35 years.
Bayern Munich will face Manchester City, and Manchester United will play Real Madrid.