AC Milan, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Club America will take part in a round-robin tournament to be played this summer across the United States. The World Football Challenge will take some of the world's best teams to six different American cities, providing a special treat for soccer fans in some markets where international matches haven't been played in recent memory.
Here is a rundown of the schedule:
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Sunday, July 19th- Club America vs. Inter Milan (Stanford Stadium, Palo Alto, California)
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Tuesday, July 21st- Chelsea FC vs. Inter Milan (Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California)
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Wednesday, July 22nd- AC Milan vs. Club America (Georgia Dome, Atlanta)
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Friday, July 24th- AC Milan vs. Chelsea (M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore)
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Sunday, July 26th- AC Milan vs. Inter Milan (Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.)
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Sunday, July 26th- Chelsea FC vs. Club America (Cowboy Stadium, Arlington, Texas)
All six matches will be shown live on the ESPN family of networks. Match tickets go on sale today at www.worldfootballchallenge.com (that was the address provided by organizers, but at last check, the link was not working).
What do you think of this tour? Will you be attending any of the matches? Which player or team are you most looking forward to seeing? Will you skip these matches and save your money for World Cup qualifiers/Gold Cup/Confederations Cup?
Share your thoughts on the World Football Challenge in the comments section below.
Nick how exactly has Club America bought it’s championships every year? America hasn’t won a Mexican league championship since 2005 and before that it was 2002, even before that it hadn’t won something since 1989. If they’re “buying” their championships every year, someone needs to tell them they’re being hoodwinked.
Rekro: $$ and $$. GA Dome is bigger, and Blank/Falcons can earn more money. And this is a test for Atlanta.
“I’m not really sure how these games create interest in MLS, or USL. I think it’s interesting that they are coming over here. Kudos for that, but what positive affect does this have on our domestic leagues??”
Do these teams care if they have a positive impact on MLS? I doubt it, they tour the US to expand their global fanbase, not the profile of MLS…
I’m dissapointed with the Baltimore match-up, I despise Chelsea and Milan…
M&T Bank Stadium, Georgia Dome??
*sigh* ……Why build SSS (ie: Rio Tinto Stadium) if your not gonna show them off.
Also I assume that all the people questioning Club America’s inclusion are joking, right? This is a barn-storming money making venture, and CA will generate ticket sales.
My reaction has gone from “meh” to “bleh”. I’ll be much more interested in MLS during this tour.
I’m very happy that one of the teams coming to Atlanta is America — they should be a huge draw.
Club America is likely one of the most popular teams in this hemisphere..They play at the Azteca…kind of a big deal to be honest… some say they are the richest club outside of Europe…not bad when you consider…Boca Juniors, River Plate and any number of the Brazilian teams…
the mighty mighty club america….LOL
there from mexico city though M haha
My reaction: meh.
At least the link is working now.
http://www.worldfootballchallenge.com/
http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/01004274C3E78987
Why, again, is Club America playing? Surely, if this event is for world-class teams, a team that buys it’s championship every year shouldn’t be involved.
Who cares? Better no knock out an MLS ESPN game. I don’t care who it is, if the game ain’t real, I ain’t watching. Much rather watch a real points MLS game than the so called “best in the world” teams in exhibitions.
I’ve never been to England and they are the better league I guess, but give me my club, my team, my supporters, and that’s my definition of a good soccer game.
Just one man’s opinion.
America has a huuuuuuuuge following.
I am with Tom. Lots of world cup qualifiers this summer, doubt any of the marquee players play.
Gillette is turf. Some reason not a fan of football on turf, wonder if they’ll risk injury during pre-season. Good idea all around though
Since when is Club America considered a world power? I don’t even know what city they are from.
AC Milan plays the Galaxy during that time frame also, no?
Has the Georgia Dome ever hosted soccer before? That’s really an unusual venue. At least it is temperature controlled. It could have been scheduled in the afternoon in Tampa or Orlando, which would be torture in midsummer.
Milan vs Inter > Gold Cup Finals
I’m an RBNY season ticket holder, USMNT supporter, and live 5 mins from Giants Stadium. I’ll be going to Foxborough that weekend.
This is a huge opportunity for Atlanta. I just wish the game weren’t on a Wednesday (and when the Braves are in town).
The game isn’t at Dodd because the Falcons & Blank are part of this. And in mid-July the players might enjoy being inside.
No Giants Stadium because the Gold Cup final is that day (US v. Mexico??). That’s where I will be
I was able to order 5 tix early for the derby match at Foxboro. Got the front row behind the goal. Should be a pretty great game. I hope that the key players show up and this sells out these venues.
God, those are some craptacular venues…
John from Denver,
Chelsea is coming to Seattle to play the Sounders while they’re here.
I just got my tickets to AC Milan vs. Chelsea in Baltimore. FYI, if you have season tickets to the Ravens, you get first priority to the good seats. It is a bit strange that MLS is not involved. They should receive some royalties since they are the US’top league.
what are the odds any MLS teams will get a friendly with one of these teams? it might be nice to see a game in a city that has an MLS team. i’m sure LA will get one as part of the Beckham deal. i’ll be glad to see him gone next season.
Just purchased 4 tix in Mezzanine for ATL GA Dome game. Time to represent soccer fans in the area. Agree this match seems strange, but this seems to have Arthur Blank’s fingerprints on it and will surely be a gauge of top level soccer interest.
“Thats not how one should look at it Tom. I look at it as this might be the only time I ever get to see Kaka and Ronaldinho in person. I will be at the Georgia Dome, fo’ sho’.” -Sonic Death Monkey
You shoulda been to the Brazil-U.S. friendly in Chicago- heck of a game.
“Georgia is the only state in the nation that exempts adults in pickups from wearing seat belts. The stance has cost the state millions of dollars in federal highway funds.”
Not quite as stubborn as NH: “New Hampshire has enacted neither a primary nor a secondary seat belt law for adults, although the state does have a primary child passenger safety law that covers children under 18.”
I’m not really sure how these games create interest in MLS, or USL. I think it’s interesting that they are coming over here. Kudos for that, but what positive affect does this have on our domestic leagues?
too bad it wasnt in chicago. then i could go.
Soccer in the Georgia Dome is a deplorable idea… I can just see the Miland and America players running around over the football lined turf with MLS type KC Wizards goals that allow a ball to fly in and out in the flash of an eye…
I am sorry but to not have this game outside is just retarded…Georgia Tech should let them use Bobby Dodd like they did for the WUSA back in the day…55,000 people is enough for the event and a deccent stadium to see the match in …
There is nothing bad about this tour, of course. The Milan Darby in Foxborough will certainly be an interesting match. I do wonder how many starters will play, particularly of those playing in the Confederations Cup that will have run the month before (it seems half of Brazil plays in Milan).
AC Milan plays the 22nd, 24th and 26th, with travel days in between?
Fans hoping to see their stars for more than five minutes per game may be seriously disappointed.
espn family of networks? so that means only espn dportes and espn classic right?
Thats not how one should look at it Tom. I look at it as this might be the only time I ever get to see Kaka and Ronaldinho in person. I will be at the Georgia Dome, fo’ sho’.
“Wednesday, July 22nd- AC Milan vs. Club America (Georgia Dome, Atlanta)”
You better not just be teasing me. Soccer in the Georgia Dome, are you sure Georgia will allow it? We ain’t like the rest of you all down here.
“Georgia is the only state in the nation that exempts adults in pickups from wearing seat belts. The stance has cost the state millions of dollars in federal highway funds.”
I went to a Chelsea – AC Milan preseason game at Giants Stadium a few years back. What a bore.
I was going say “why no Giants Stadium”? But, really, do I want to shell out big bucks for a preseason game? No. So what do I care if they don’t play at Giants Stadium.
Umm…they are going head to head with the Gold Cup final??
nope, 2 teams I hate are playing down the street from my place at the rose bowl. I can wait till Barcelona vs. Galaxy in August..
Possibly going to the Baltimore match. Waiting on friends response.
This is something that would be very fun to see in person, but it’s not something I will seek out on TV.
Seattle has hosted several exhibition matches in recent years: Manchester United v. Celtic, Chelsea v. Celtic, Real Madrid v. DC United, Brazil v. Canada … they were all a lot of fun and drew big crowds. If you live in any of the cities in which these games will be played, I’m sure it’ll be a good time and a rare chance to see some great players in person.
Exactly Tom
You would think with the article on ESPN for the announcement, that the link would actually work, no?
I’ll wait to see if they are bringing their first team or reserve team. The first year of the Champions World Series of Football was amazing. The following years were a rip off.
These are exhibition games. That’s what I think of it.
Perfekt. I’ll be home in April after 16months living in Sweden. Arlington isn’t too far from Baton Rouge, so i might be heading to the Chelsea-Club America game.
Is SUM behind this? How else would ESPN get involved?
first?
Any info on ticket sales??
Sure it would be nice to see these teams but I have to save money and time off work for USA and Metro. Sorry got no time for or money for this.