Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, Man City and AC Milan to Play in U.S.
Soccer Champions Tour releases six-match schedule for late July and early August
Posted On: March 19, 2024 By :Five of the biggest names in international club soccer will play in the United States in a series of preseason matches throughout late July and early August.
The Soccer Champions Tour will involve Spain’s Real Madrid and Barcelona, Italy’s AC Milan and England’s Manchester City and Chelsea. The schedule of matches begins July 27 with Manchester City against AC Milan at Yankee Stadium, followed by Barcelona against Manchester City at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, on July 30. AC Milan and Real Madrid face off at Soldier Field in Chicago on July 31, then Real Madrid will play Barcelona in a preseason El Clasico on August 3 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, host site for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup Final.
“Soccer Champions Tour is thrilled to return this summer with enticing matchups featuring some of the world’s most storied clubs for fans in the U.S. to witness the beautiful game at the highest level,” said Joe Carr, commissioner of the Soccer Champions Tour. “With all five clubs possessing passionate supporters that span the globe, we’re pleased to unveil an exciting range of matches throughout the U.S., a market experiencing exponential growth in the sport’s popularity.”
The final two matches will be on August 6 with Barcelona facing AC Milan at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore while Real Madrid will play Chelsea at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“We are excited to bring to Baltimore two of the most iconic soccer franchises in the world, FC Barcelona and AC Milan,” Ravens president Sashi Brown said. “Hosting international soccer matches at M&T Bank Stadium shows the Mid-Atlantic’s growing demand and passion for the beautiful game and the Ravens’ commitment to bringing world-class sports and entertainment events to the greater Baltimore region.”
Since 2015, the Florida Cup and FC Series have featured clubs from all over the world. Last summer, the FC Series hosted the Soccer Champions Tour’s Orlando stop, which featured Real Madrid defeating Juventus in the highest-grossing soccer match of Camping World Stadium’s history.
“We are proud to once again bring a top international match to Orlando this summer,” said Florida Citrus Sports Chief Executive Officer Steve Hogan. “We look forward to welcoming fans from around the globe to fill up Camping World Stadium and see two of the biggest clubs in action.”
The match between Real Madrid and Chelsea will follow Copa América 2024 as marquee international soccer events at Bank of America Stadium this summer. MetLife Stadium will also host matches in both the Copa América and Soccer Champions Tour.
“Since Tepper Sports & Entertainment’s investment to bring Major League Soccer to Charlotte, the city’s international footprint in the world’s game has exploded,” said Charlotte FC President Joe LaBue. “We couldn’t be more excited to welcome the Soccer Champions Tour to Uptown Charlotte this summer. One of our core objectives will always be about growing the game and Charlotte’s reputation as a soccer city.”
This marks the second time both Spanish soccer clubs and AC Milan have participated in the U.S. series, while Manchester City and Chelsea will make their Soccer Champions Tour debuts. For AC Milan, two of the matches will have strategic initiatives with a longstanding relationship between Yankee Global Enterprises and RedBird Capital Partners, the controlling shareholder of AC Milan, plus the Baltimore match will be near its AC Milan Academy Virginia.
Separate from the tour, Manchester City announced a preseason game against reigning Scottish Premier League champions Celtic on July 23 at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Manchester City and Chelsea will also play a preseason game on August 3 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.
“We are pleased to announce the details of our 2024/25 preseason tour today as we prepare to return to America with an exciting four-match series,” said Peter Lundy, senior vice president of partnerships at City Football Group. “We can’t wait to play more matches, deliver more unique experiences and opportunities for our fans across the country to enjoy with Manchester City when we return later this year.”
The game against Manchester City for Chelsea is the last of four games the club has scheduled in the U.S. It will also play against Wrexham on July 24 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, before heading to Notre Dame Stadium in Indiana to play against Celtic. Chelsea will also play Liga MX’s Club America on July 31 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
“Ohio Stadium is renowned for its history and we know it is going to be an incredible occasion in front of our devoted U.S. fan base this summer when we play a fellow Premier League side in Manchester City,” said Chelsea Chief Executive Officer Chris Jurasek. “Bank of America Stadium presents Chelsea with a fantastic setting to conclude our 2024 U.S. summer tour when we face Real Madrid. The club had the pleasure of playing in Charlotte two years ago and we cannot wait to see our brilliant supporters once again on August 6.’
Posted in: Latest News, Sites & Venues, Soccer