First Ever Soccer Match at Comerica Park Set For July 19
Kickoff set for 8:00PM ET on ESPN2
First Ever Professional Soccer Match Held at Comerica Park, Home of the Detroit Tigers in The District Detroit
Relevent Sports, a division of RSE Ventures, today announced that Italian powerhouse AS Roma and current French Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain F.C. will face off in the first ever professional soccer match at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan on Wednesday, July 19 as part of the 2017 International Champions Cup presented by Heineken. The match is set to kick off at 8:00PM ET on ESPN2. Comerica Park is home to the Detroit Tigers and located in The District Detroit, one of the largest sports and entertainment developments underway in the United States.
The match will mark the start of the International Champions Cup’s fifth season. Both AS Roma and Paris Saint-Germain F.C. currently rank among the leaders in their respective domestic leagues. Paris Saint-Germain F.C. returns as two-time reigning champion of the International Champions Cup, featuring a dynamic mix of young talent and veteran leadership lead by Ligue 1’s current leading goal scorer and Uruguayan national Edinson Cavani. AS Roma returns to the United States as part of the International Champions Cup for the third time, having previously competed in 2014 and 2015 editions of the tournament. ‘I Giallorossi’ boasts a roster overflowing with talent including Italian legend Daniele De Rossi and Bosnian scorer Edin Dzeko.
Comerica Park, which has served as the home to the Detroit Tigers since 2000, will host its first ever soccer match when AS Roma and Paris Saint-Germain F.C. meet as part of the 2017 International Champions Cup presented by Heineken. Comerica Park previously hosted the World Series in 2006 and 2012, the 76th MLB All-Star Game in 2005 as well as a number of recording acts in concert such as Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Dave Matthews Band, Eminem, Kid Rock, and Jay Z. Comerica Park is in the center of The District Detroit – a 50-block, mixed-use development led by the Ilitch organization and built around six world-class theaters, five neighborhoods and three professional sports venues. Home to the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Pistons and Detroit Lions - The District Detroit represents the greatest density of professional sports teams in one downtown core in the United States.
Tickets for the AS Roma v. Paris Saint-Germain F.C. matchup at Comerica Park will start as low as $25 and go on sale to the general public beginning May 16. Fans can find all venue-specific and other ticket information at www.internationalchampionscup.com and tigers.com/soccer. For suite information, call 313-471-2222.
“We are thrilled to bring the first ever global soccer match to The District Detroit and Comerica Park by hosting the kickoff match of the highly competitive International Champions Cup,” said Christopher Ilitch, President & CEO of Ilitch Holdings, Inc. “We are equally excited to showcase AS Roma and Paris Saint-Germain, two premier football clubs before a worldwide television audience. Having Paris and Roma in Detroit puts our community on a worldwide stage and provides just a taste of the incredible variety of world-class sports and entertainment in The District Detroit."
“We are excited to bring two of the best in international soccer to Comerica Park and The District Detroit as part of the ICC,” said Charlie Stillitano, Chairman of Relevent Sports. “Both Roma and PSG have achieved continued success in Italian and French football respectively and will be looking to add to their trophy case this summer. Showcasing the best that international soccer has to offer in a city so rich in sports history is a dream come true for our organization. We look forward to hosting these clubs at Comerica Park to kick off the 2017 tournament and providing an atmosphere that the people of Detroit will absolutely want to be a part of.”
The 2017 International Champions Cup presented by Heineken will run from July 19 – 30 and feature 12 matches played across 11 cities throughout the United States. In total, eight teams from around the globe, including England (Manchester United F.C., Manchester City F.C., Tottenham Hotspur F.C.), Italy (Juventus F.C., AS Roma), France (Paris Saint-Germain F.C.) and Spain (FC Barcelona, Real Madrid C.F.) will compete in this year’s tournament. Each team will play three contests and the club with the most points at the end of the tournament will be crowned champion. Each win in regulation will result in three points and a tie will go straight to a shootout; the winning team in a shootout will receive two points and the losing team will receive one.
AS Roma, founded in 1927, has won the Serie A three times, with the last coming in the 2000-01 season. The Rome-based club also lays claim to nine Coppa Italia titles and two Supercoppa Italiana titles. Also known as “I Giallorossi,” the club features captain, all-time leading goal scorer and the most capped player in the club’s long history, Francesco Totti. This year’s roster also features vice-captain and Italian national Daniele De Rossi as well as the clubs current leading goal-scorer, Bosnian striker Edin Džeko. The club recently reached the Round of 16 in the 2016 Europa League while chasing fellow International Champions Cup participant and domestic rival Juventus F.C. in Serie A. The club plays its home matches in Stadio Olimpico, which also acts as the host stadium for fellow Serie A club Lazio and the Coppa Italia final. For more information on AS Roma, please visit www.asroma.com.
Since being purchased by Qatar Sports Investment in 2011, Paris Saint-Germain F.C. has established its position as one of the top teams in the world. Founded in 1970, the club is one of the most successful in French history, having won ten French Cups and Ligue 1 six times, including each of the previous four seasons. The club claimed three more soccer cups in the 2015-16 campaign: Coupe de France, Coupe de la Ligue & Trophée des Champions. With key addition such as Julian Draxler joining veterans Angel di Maria and Edinson Cavani, Paris Saint-Germain F.C. continues to put its stamp on the global soccer landscape. For more information on Paris Saint-Germain F.C., please visit www.psg.fr.
For the second consecutive year, Heineken is the presenting sponsor of the 2017 International Champions Cup. In addition to Heineken, the 2017 tournament features a leading line-up of sponsors, including Ally, Nike, Orlando, Chevrolet, AON, Groupon, VividSeats, Gatorade and Xyience. Additional partners will be announced in the coming months. All matches for the International Champions Cup will be carried on ESPN networks including ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and streaming network ESPN3, accessible through WatchESPN and the ESPN App.
Fans can follow the ICC on social media at @intchampionscup for exclusive content and announcements, and join the conversation using #2017ICC. Fans can sign up for up news, updates and ticket information at www.internationalchampionscup.com.
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About Relevent Sports
Relevent Sports provides an innovative approach to building a soccer presence in the United States and around the globe. Relevent Sports showcases the best match-ups and tournaments in soccer featuring the top clubs, international teams and players. Since 2013, Relevent Sports has organized the International Champions Cup; the premier preseason tournament featuring the top European clubs with matches in North America, Europe and Asia. Utilizing brand development, grassroots planning, corporate sponsors, and international touring, Relevent Sports promotes and grows the love of soccer worldwide.
About the International Champions Cup
The International Champions Cup is the world’s premier summer soccer tournament organized by Relevent Sports, featuring the best clubs from around the world. A staple property of Relevent Sports and RSE Ventures, the International Champions Cup works with leading sponsors such as Heineken, Nike, Orlando, and Ally, among others, to bring the best in soccer to iconic sports venues across North America, Europe and China.
The International Champions Cup has hosted some of the most iconic matchups in the world, including the two most attended soccer matches in U.S. history. First came when Real Madrid C.F. and Manchester United F.C. drew 109,318 fans to Michigan Stadium at the University of Michigan. Real Madrid C.F. returned to the “Big House” to take on Chelsea F.C. in front of 105,826 fans, second all-time, as part of the 2016 tournament. The International Champions Cup also has hosted the most attended soccer matches in Minnesota (64,101 at U.S. Bank Stadium) and Ohio (86,641 at Ohio Stadium) state history. In its four-year history, Real Madrid C.F., Manchester United F.C., Juventus F.C. and Paris Saint-Germain F.C. have all won installments of the tournament.
About The District Detroit
The District Detroit is one of the largest sports and entertainment developments in the United States. Located in the heart of Detroit, this 50-block, mixed-use development led by the Ilitch organization unites six world-class theaters, five neighborhoods and three professional sports venues in one vibrant, walkable destination for people who want to live, work and play in an exciting urban environment. Home to the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Pistons and Detroit Lions - The District Detroit represents the greatest density of professional sports teams in one downtown core in the United States. Learn more at www.DistrictDetroit.com or follow The District Detroit on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
About RSE Ventures
Founded in 2012 by Stephen M. Ross and Matt Higgins, RSE Ventures is a multi-national sports and entertainment venture firm with a focus on new technologies. RSE builds, owns and operates companies in sports, media, entertainment and technology, including Catalyst Media Group, VaynerMedia, Vayner/RSE, Relevent Sports, Ascendent Sports Group and the International Champions Cup.
About HEINEKEN USA
HEINEKEN USA Inc., the nation's leading upscale beer importer, is a subsidiary of HEINEKEN International NV, the world's most international brewer. European brands imported into the U.S. include Heineken®, the world's most international beer brand, Strongbow Hard Apple Ciders, Amstel Light, and Newcastle Brown Ale. HEINEKEN USA also imports the Dos Equis Franchise, Tecate Franchise, Sol, Indio, Carta Blanca and Bohemia brands from Mexico. For the latest information on our company and brands, follow us on Twitter @HeinekenUSACorp, or visit HEINEKENUSA.com.