Several of Europe's top soccer teams are set to grace the fields of the New York metropolitan area this summer as part of the highly anticipated 2024 Soccer Champions Tour. The tournament, which spans from July 27 to August 6, will feature marquee matchups between powerhouse clubs including Real Madrid, AC Milan, FC Barcelona, Manchester City, and Chelsea.

MetLife Stadium and Yankee Stadium have been selected as the venues for two of the six matches in the New York area. On July 27, Yankee Stadium will witness a showdown between Manchester City and AC Milan, while on August 3, the colossal clash between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona will take place at MetLife Stadium.

Joe Carr, Commissioner of Soccer Champions Tour, expressed his excitement about bringing these renowned clubs to the United States, stating, "Soccer Champions Tour is thrilled to return this summer with enticing matchups featuring some of the world's most storied clubs for fans in the U.S. to witness the beautiful game at the highest level." He further added, "With all five clubs possessing passionate supporters that span the globe, we're pleased to unveil an exciting range of matches throughout the U.S., a market experiencing exponential growth in the sport's popularity."

In addition to New York, matches will also be held in Orlando (Barcelona vs. Manchester City), Chicago (AC Milan vs. Real Madrid), Baltimore (Barcelona vs. AC Milan), and Charlotte (Real Madrid vs. Chelsea) as part of the Soccer Champions Tour. This tour holds particular significance for New York, as the metropolitan area gears up to host the World Cup final in 2026. FIFA recently selected MetLife Stadium as the venue for this prestigious game, beating other potential sites, including AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The growing profile of soccer in North America, with the impending World Cup arrival in 2026, has sparked increased interest in the sport. As a result, friendlies featuring top teams like AC Milan, Manchester City, Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, and Chelsea are anticipated to generate even more enthusiasm among soccer enthusiasts.

AC Milan, which counts US men's national team star Christian Pulisic among its ranks, will undoubtedly attract a keen American fanbase. Pulisic has been in outstanding form in his debut season with AC Milan, netting an impressive 12 goals and notching scoring streaks in four recent consecutive games.

It is fitting that both AC Milan and Manchester City will grace Yankee Stadium, as both clubs boast ties to the New York Yankees. The Yankees own a minority stake in AC Milan, while they partnered with City Football Group, the owners of Manchester City, in establishing the MLS' New York City Football Club, which plays some of its home games at Yankee Stadium. The Bronx Bombers have already witnessed a clash between Manchester City and Chelsea at Yankee Stadium in 2013, shortly after MLS announced NYCFC's inclusion as its 20th franchise.

Real Madrid, already showcasing talented midfielder Jude Bellingham, are believed to be adding superstar forward Kylian Mbappé to their ranks in a blockbuster move this summer. The upcoming match at MetLife Stadium will mark Real Madrid's third appearance at the venue, while FC Barcelona will be making their second appearance at the home of the Jets and Giants. Barcelona last played in the New York area in 2022, engaging in a friendly match against the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena.

Pre-sale tickets for all matches will be available on March 25, with general ticket sales commencing on March 27 via the official Soccer Champions Tour website. Soccer fans in the New York metropolitan area and across the United States can look forward to witnessing some of the world's finest talent compete in a series of enthralling matches, adding to the growing anticipation for the sport's ultimate spectacle, the 2026 World Cup.