Major League Soccer (MLS) announced Friday that FCBarcelona and its heralded roster of international stars will play games this summer in Chicago and the New York area as part of their 2008 summer tour organized by MLS' marketing arm, Soccer United Marketing (SUM). The tour kicks off a five-year partnership between FCB and MLS.
The Spanish giant, whose honors include 18 La Liga trophies, a record-setting 24 Copa del Rey championships and two UEFA Champions League titles, will play two matches during the 2008 trip:
• Sunday, Aug. 3 versus legendary CD Guadalajara of Mexico at Chicago's Soldier Field (7:00 p.m. ET). The game will be presented by the Chicago Fire;
• Wednesday, Aug. 6 versus New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer at Giants Stadium (7:00 p.m. ET).
Chivas de Guadalajara, first place season finisher in the Clausura 2008 - the Mexican League's winter season - will count on Mexico national team stars Ramon Morales, Johnny Magallon, Luis Ernesto Michel and Alberto Medina. Lining up for the New York Red Bulls, undefeated in five of its last six matches in the current MLS season, are Colombian national Juan Pablo Angel and U.S. rising star Jozy Altidore.
For the August 3 match in Chicago, special pre-sale packages will be offered by the Chicago Fire for their season ticket holders starting Monday, June 2. Tickets to the general public will be available starting Sunday, June 8. The New York Red Bulls will begin their pre-sale offers for the August 6 match to season ticket holders Monday, June 2nd. Special FC Barcelona packages for the New York match will go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, June 3rd at 5:00 pm ET. Further details of ticket offerings will be announced by the respective MLS club and the club web sites.
Additionally, exclusive Ultimate Fan Packages will also be made available for the 2008 Tour. Starting at $595, the package will include: an on-the field or lower level midfield seat to the match; pre-game tailgate party at the stadium featuring an open bar and all-you-can-eat buffet; a Chalk Talk previewing the match by a special presenter; an official team jersey; a VIP parking pass to the game; and an exclusive ticket to a private team practice session. Travel packages including hotel accommodations also are available. Fans interested in taking advantage of this unique offer should call 1-800-603-9344.
In 2006, the FCBarcelona USA Tour, managed by SUM, registered the highest average attendance for any club tour in U.S. history, averaging 80,734 in three matches, and is the only one among club soccer tours in the U.S. featuring three or more games to sell out every stadium. Barcelona played in front of three sold-out crowds: at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (vs. CD Guadalajara, 1-1 on Aug. 6 in front of 92,650), at Houston's Reliant Stadium (vs. Club America, 3-3 on Aug. 9, with a crowd of 70,550), and at Giants Stadium in E. Rutherford, NJ (vs. NY Red Bulls, 4-1 on Aug. 12, in front of 79,002).
On May 22, 2008, MLS and FCBarcelona announced a five-year partnership - the first-ever European club to establish a long-term agreement with MLS in the United States - which includes the organization of a minimum of six international matches throughout the term. In addition, all commercial and sponsorship sales on behalf of the club, as well as marketing and public relations in the U.S., will be managed by Major League Soccer's marketing arm, Soccer United Marketing (SUM).
Following the matches this August, FCB will return to Europe to continue its preparation ahead of the kickoff to the 2008-09 La Liga season.
FCBarcelona On Tour '08 Schedule
Date |
Opponent |
City |
Stadium |
Time |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sun., August 3 |
CD Guadalajara |
Chicago, IL |
Soldier Field |
7:00 p.m. ET |
||
Wed., August 6 |
NY Red Bulls |
E. Rutherford, NJ |
Giants Stadium |
7:00 p.m. ET |
