(Zlatan Ibrahimovic of PSG in the ICC last summer at Red Bull Arena – Photo by Mike Lawrence / Sportsday Wire)
The International Champions Cup will be returning to the United States this summer, featuring top European teams, including Real Madrid taking on Bayern Munich at MetLife Stadium on August 3.
In addition to Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, other European powers including Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Liverpool, Barcelona, Inter Milan, A.C. Milan, Celtic, and, for the first time, Leicester City, the current leaders of the English Premier League.
These teams have won a total of 190 domestic titles, 246 domestic cups, and 36 UEFA Champions League titles. This tournament features the last seven Champions League winners, Barcelona (2009, 2011, 2015), Inter Milan (2010), Chelsea (2012), Bayern Munich (2013), and Real Madrid (2014).
The International Champions Cup will open the first major event at the Minnesota Vikings new stadium, U.S. Bank Stadium.
The ICC will be on ESPN and it runs from July 23 to August 13, and the schedule is as follows:
Saturday July 23: Celtic vs. Leicester City – Celtic Park – Glasgow, Scotland, 12:30 pm EST.
Sunday, July 24: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Inter Milan – Autzen Stadium – Eugene, Oregon, 5:00 pm EST
Wednesday, July 27: Real Madrid vs. Paris Saint-Germain – Ohio Stadium – Columbus, Ohio – 7:30 pm EST; Bayern Munich vs. A.C. Milan – Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois – 9:00 pm EST; Liverpool vs. Chelsea – Rose Bowl – Pasadena, California, 11:00 pm EST
Saturday July 30: F.C. Barcelona vs. Celtic F.C. – Aviva Stadium – Dublin, Ireland – 1:00 pm EST; Chelsea vs. Real Madrid – TBA, game will be in the United States; Bayern Munich vs. Inter – Bank of America Stadium – Charlotte, North Carolina – 5:00 pm EST; Liverpool vs. A.C. Milan – Levi’s Stadium – Santa Clara, California – 10:00 pm EST; Paris Saint-Germain vs. Leicester City – Los Angeles, California – TBA Venue and time
Wednesday, August 3: Barcelona vs. Leicester City – Friends Arena – Stockholm, Sweden, 2:00 pm EST; Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid – MetLife Stadium – New Jersey – 7:30 p.m. EST; Chelsea vs. A.C. Milan – U.S. Bank Stadium – Minneapolis, Minnesota – 9:00 p.m. EST
Saturday, August 6: Liverpool vs. Barcelona – TBA European venue and time
Saturday, August 13: Celtic vs. Inter – TBA European venue and time
Relevant Sports CEO David Tyler said, “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. The ICC has truly excelled in hosting the best matches featuring elite competition in new and iconic venues, but 2016 will be the pinnacle.”
Relevant Sports Chairman Charlie Stillitano 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 2016-17 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 at Rose Bowl Stadium demonstrated 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.”