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La Liga champion FC Barcelona and defending UEFA Champions League winner Real Madrid C.F. will meet on July 29, 2017 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami as part of the 2017 International Champions Cup.
The International Champions Cup was launched by Stephen Ross and Matt Higgins in 2013 with the creation of Relevent Sports, led by Charlie Stillitano and Jon Sheiman. El Clásico Miami will mark the first-ever match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid C.F. to take place in North America. Hailed as one of sport's all-time greatest rivalries, the current rosters for each club feature some of the best players in the world. Real Madrid C.F. is anchored by recently crowned FIFA Men’s Player of the Year and Ballon D’Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo, alongside Welsh superstar Gareth Bale, while perennial world-class Argentinean national, Lionel Messi, and famed Brazilian Neymar lead FC Barcelona.
“I am thrilled to bring the International Champions Cup back to the city of Miami,” said Stephen Ross, RSE Ventures chairman and co-founder and Miami Dolphins owner. “The opportunity to showcase two of the most storied clubs in the history of the sport is why we created this tournament. That it will take place at Hard Rock Stadium is a testament to the recent transformation of this venue into a global entertainment destination.”
Real Madrid C.F. and FC Barcelona both return to the ICC with the goal of adding another title to their already world-class resumes. Real Madrid C.F. will be making a record fifth appearance in the ICC, having played in every year of the tournament’s history. Real Madrid C.F. returns to Miami for a second time as part of the ICC after defeating Chelsea F.C. to win the inaugural tournament in 2013 in front of a crowd of 67,273 attendees, one of the largest for a soccer match in the venue’s history. They also were crowned champions of the first-ever ICC China and ICC Australia which took place in 2015.
El Clásico Miami will be held at the newly renovated Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., the first soccer event to take place since the stadium’s latest renovations. Hard Rock Stadium returns as a venue for the ICC after hosting the championship match in each of the first two years of the tournament. The renovations to Hard Rock Stadium have made it possible to host the highest caliber of soccer competition while serving as the home of the Miami Dolphins. The venue also serves as home to the University of Miami football team, Orange Bowl, Super Bowl LIV, the College Football Playoff Semifinals and a host of world class events. Hard Rock Stadium will host an additional match on Wednesday, July 26 as part of the 2017 International Champions Cup. Further details will be announced on March 21. (Stadiaworld,13.03.2017)
