For the second consecutive year, Chelsea are scheduled to play in the International Champions Cup – a pre-season tournament that now hosts games multiple countries, primarily the United States, as announced via their official website.
The Blues will face a familiar foe in their first game, squaring off against Premier League rivals Liverpool on Wednesday 27 July at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Los Angeles, California.
Three days later, on Sunday 30 July, Chelsea will play Real Madrid at a venue soon to be announced.
Chelsea will finish up with a game against AC Milan on Wednesday 3 August at the brand new US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
On the news of the announcement, Chelsea FC chairman Bruce Buck said:
It gives us great pleasure to know we will be testing ourselves at the highest level this summer and I am sure the squad will benefit from the excellent facilities available to us across the United States. We have always found the support shown to the club by our American fans to be passionate and positive and cannot wait to see them once more. Additionally, by taking Chelsea Foundation coaches and staff with us we will also look to make a positive and lasting impact in those communities we visit. This is a priority for us.
The Blues’ match-up against Liverpool will be Chelsea’s first match at the Rose Bowl since their 2-0 victory over Inter in a friendly in 2009. The Rose Bowl seats 92,542 and was the venue of the 1994 World Cup Final.
Chelsea last met Real Madrid in 2013 during the International Champions Cup Final in Miami, Florida. The Blues lost, 3-1.
US Bank Stadium, the location of Chelsea’s final International Champions Cup game, holds around 73,000 people and will be the home of the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings franchise. Chelsea also met AC Milan in the 2013 International Champions Cup, claiming a 2-0 victory in the semi-finals.
This year’s tournament features Chelsea, Liverpool, Leicester City, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Celtic.
In addition to games being played in the U.S., there will be games in Sweden (Barcelona vs. Leicester City), Scotland (Celtic vs. Leicester City) and other locations to be announced.
