Soccer fans in the United States are in for a treat this summer as the Soccer Champions Tour 2024 brings some of the world's most prestigious clubs to stadiums across the country. The tour, which runs from July 27 to Aug. 6, will feature European heavyweights Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Manchester City, AC Milan, and Chelsea in a series of highly anticipated matches.
New York City will be at the center of the action, with two marquee matchups taking place in the Big Apple. On July 27, Yankee Stadium will host a clash between Manchester City and AC Milan, while MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, will be the venue for a thrilling encounter between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona on Aug. 3.
"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 Soccer Champions Tour, in a statement. "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 tour carries extra significance for New York, as the metropolitan area gears up to host the World Cup final in 2026. MetLife Stadium was recently selected by FIFA to host the coveted game, beating out other potential sites such as AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. With the World Cup coming to North America in just two years, friendlies featuring some of the biggest teams in soccer are expected to generate even more interest in the sport.
AC Milan, which boasts US men's national team star Christian Pulisic on its roster, will participate in three matches during the tour. Pulisic has been in excellent form during his debut season with the Serie A club, scoring 12 goals, including goals in four consecutive games recently. AC Milan's ties to the New York Yankees add an extra layer of intrigue to their matchup against Manchester City at Yankee Stadium, as the Bronx Bombers own a minority stake in the Italian club.
Real Madrid, who are expected to make a marquee move for superstar forward Kylian Mbappé this summer, will be making their third appearance at MetLife Stadium. The Spanish giants will face off against their fierce rivals, FC Barcelona, in what promises to be an electrifying match. Barcelona last played in the area in 2022 when they faced the New York Red Bulls in a friendly at Red Bull Arena.
In addition to the matches in New York, the Soccer Champions Tour will also make stops in Orlando (Barcelona vs. Manchester City), Chicago (AC Milan vs. Real Madrid), Baltimore (Barcelona vs. AC Milan), and Charlotte (Real Madrid vs. Chelsea). Pre-sale tickets for all matches will be available on March 25, with general tickets going on sale on March 27 via the Soccer Champions Tour website.
The Soccer Champions Tour 2024 fixtures are as follows:
Sat, Jul 27 | Yankee Stadium, New York | Man City vs. AC Milan
Tue, Jul 30 | Camping World Stadium, Orlando | Barcelona vs. Man City
Wed, Jul 31 | Soldier Field, Chicago | AC Milan vs. Real Madrid
Sat, Aug 3 | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford | Real Madrid vs. Barcelona
Tue, Aug 6 | M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore | Barcelona vs. AC Milan
Tue,Aug 6 | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte | Real Madrid vs. Chelsea
As the profile of soccer continues to grow in the United States, the Soccer Champions Tour 2024 offers fans a unique opportunity to witness some of the world's best players and most iconic clubs in action. With the added excitement of the upcoming World Cup and the star power of players like Christian Pulisic and potentially Kylian Mbappé, these summer friendlies are sure to be unforgettable events for soccer enthusiasts across the country.
