2014-12-09
ICC AUSTRALIA 2015 MATCH DETAILS CONFIRMED
SATURDAY 18 JULY
Real Madrid CF v AS Roma
TUESDAY 21 JULY
AS Roma v Manchester City FC
FRIDAY 24 JULY
Manchester City FC v Real Madrid CF
Three-time Serie A champions AS Roma have been confirmed as the final team to compete in the inaugural International Champions Cup Australia, presented by Audi, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in July next year, with the three-match schedule and ticket on-sale dates now locked in.
Nine Live, TLA Worldwide and RSE Ventures, with the support of the Victorian Government, have confirmed the tournament will open with Real Madrid CF versus AS Roma at the family-friendly kick-off time of 7.00pm Saturday, 18 July. AS Roma will face Manchester City FC on Tuesday, 21 July, before the tournament concludes on Friday, 24 July, with a thrilling clash between Real Madrid CF and Manchester City FC, both games starting at 7.45pm.
It will be the first and perhaps the only time that football fans have the opportunity to see this inimitable group of European league champions competing in Australia.
The competition will be fierce, with all three participating clubs presently alive in the UEFA Champions League and vying for their respective national titles. Currently, AS Roma are second in Serie A, Real Madrid CF lead La Liga and Manchester City FC are second in the EPL.
Telstra customers will have priority access to the highly sought-after tickets to all three matches, with an exclusive 48-hour pre-sale opportunity via the Telstra Thanks loyalty program from 9.00am Wednesday, 17 December, before tickets go on sale to the public from 10.00am Monday, 22 December, on Ticketek.
Further information on ticketing and hospitality, including waitlist registration, can be found here.
Italo Zanzi, CEO of AS Roma, said: “We had an excellent experience in last year’s ICC in the United States and are confident this tournament will also be a great success with top-notch competition. We very much look forward to playing in Melbourne and interacting with fans in the city, Australia and the region.”
John Eren, Victorian Minister for Tourism, Major Events and Sport, said: “For seven days in July next year, Melbourne will be the centre of the football world when Real Madrid, Manchester City and AS Roma arrive for this competition. I am proud that Victoria will be the exclusive host for this exciting tournament, a major event which will deliver strong returns for tourism, for major events and for sport.
“Major events drive economic benefits, create jobs and deliver positive momentum for Victoria – and the ICC next July is estimated to deliver approximately $50 million in economic impact, and broadcast images of the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground to 150 countries worldwide.
“What a terrific opportunity for Victorians to get up close with three of the world’s best football clubs. I thank Nine Live, TLA Worldwide, Relevent and most importantly the participating football clubs for putting their faith in Melbourne.”
Ferran Soriano, Chief Executive of Manchester City FC, said: “We are looking forward once again to being a part of the tournament. We are particularly excited to be visiting Melbourne, which is home to our sister Club, Melbourne City FC. We know that it will also be a home away from home for Manchester City and we can’t wait to play in front of our Australian fans.”
Carlo Ancelotti, Coach of Real Madrid CF, current champions of the UEFA Champions League and the only 10-time winners of the competition, said: “Taking part in this tournament in Australia is an honour for the entire team. We are aware of the large number of Real Madrid CF fans in Australia and it will be a pleasure to be close to them and give them the best that the club has to offer.”
Andrew Doyle, Managing Director of Audi Australia, said: “Audi is thrilled to present an event that has secured the quality of the teams now confirmed to play next year at the MCG. This event is an absolute first for this country and perfectly reflects the sporting credentials of our brand.
“Australian customers can be in no doubt that Audi is serious about its plan to be the number one premium brand in this country with initiatives such as the International Champions Cup Australia.”