By Paul Nicholson
March 23 – Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris St Germain, Liverpool and Chelsea will all compete this summer in the US-organised International Champions Cup (ICC), but not all games will be played in the US.
The fourth edition of the ICC has been expanded to 10 teams – AC Milan, Inter Milan, Leicester City and Celtic complete the line-up.
The ICC has also expanded to include games on to other continents with standalone tournaments in Australia and China.
Charlie Stillitano, chairman of organiseres Relevent Sports, said: “The competition and clubs involved this year speaks to the continued growth and success the International Champions Cup has experienced in its four year history.
“This is the best roster of teams in ICC history and having them start their 2016-2017 campaign playing against each other will be a treat for both fans and the players. Matches like Bayern Munich and Real Madrid at MetLife Stadium and Chelsea vs. Liverpool FC at Rose Bowl Stadium demonstrates the elite competition the ICC stands for. We are continuing to set the gold standard for soccer in America and abroad and are excited for summer to start.”
The US tournament this year will not feature any US teams but will predominantly be played in stadia across the US, though there are still some venues to be confirmed.
“This year will be extra special for the International Champions Cup. We are opening multiple stadiums for soccer including U.S. Bank Stadium and Autzen Stadium, and bringing soccer back to Ohio Stadium for the first time in nearly two decades,” said David Tyler, CEO of Relevent Sports. “The ICC has truly excelled in hosting the best matches featuring elite competition in new and iconic venues, but 2016 will be the pinnacle.”
Though not all the games will be played in the US. For example. Celtic will play Leicester in Glasgow and will play Barcelona in Dublin a week later. Leicester will play Barcelona in Stockholm.
Liverpool, who last played in the ICC in 2014 when they took on Olympiacos, Manchester City, AC Milan and Manchester United, visiting Chicago, New York, Charlotte and Miami, will play two games in the US in California.
They face Chelsea at the Rose Bowl, Pasadena on July 27 and vs AC Milan at Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara on July 30 – with their third game being played back in Europe at a yet to be determined venue on August 6 against Barcelona.
Billy Hogan, chief commercial officer at Liverpool, said: “It will be great to compete in a tournament with some of the best teams in the world. We’re delighted to have been asked to take part and very excited to see as many of our American fans as possible while we’re in the country. Opportunities like this not only help the team prepare for the coming season, but give our fans the chance to watch the team play, no matter how far from Anfield they might be.”
In the other tournaments Manchester United and City will play in China with Borussia Dortmund, while Tottenham Hotspur, Juventus, Atletico Madrid and Melbourne Victory will play in Australia.
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