The Greatest Rivalry in Sports: Centerplate Hosts the First-Ever El Clásico Played on U.S. Soil

STAMFORD, Conn., July 26, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Centerplate today announced the start of its hospitality efforts that will last the next four days in Miami and culminate with the first time that El Clásico, between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, is played in the United States. The game, taking place Saturday July 29^th at Hard Rock Stadium, is a milestone event and the focal point of a weeklong celebration of world-class soccer. It is the first soccer game to take place at the stadium since its latest renovations, and is expected to be played in front of a sellout crowd.

Just last year, per the MLS, the league broke an attendance record, luring 7.4 million people and an average of 21,692 attendees per game, which is up 40% from 10 years ago. Adept at hosting soccer matches, Centerplate serves the Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS, and is also preparing to open the new home of Atlético Madrid – Wanda Metropolitano – this September.

"As U.S. consumers continue to embrace soccer, this is the latest marquee event for domestic fans of the sport. The momentum and appetite for soccer on the global scale is stronger than ever though too, and we continually embed ourselves in the sport to enhance the quality of the fan experience that we offer," stated Chris Verros, CEO, Centerplate.

In Miami, beginning with a marquee clash today between Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus – two of Europe's top soccer clubs – the rest of the week will be filled with parties, concerts and events set against the beautiful backdrop of the city.  

El Clásico will take place on July 29, 2017 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., as part of the 2017 International Champions Cup (ICC) presented by Heineken and broadcast on ESPN and ESPN Deportes at 7:30PM ET.

About Centerplate
Centerplate is a global leader in live event hospitality, "Making It Better To Be There®" for more than 116 million guests each year at more than 300 prominent entertainment, sports and convention venues across North America, Europe and the United Kingdom. Centerplate has provided event hospitality services to more than 30 official U.S. Presidential Inaugural Balls, 14 Super Bowls and 22 World Series. Visit the company online at Centerplate.com, connect via Twitter @centerplate, Instagram @Centerplate_ or Facebook.com/centerplate.

About the International Champions Cup Presented by Heineken
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, Visit 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. The first came when 109,318 fans saw Real Madrid and Manchester United play in Michigan Stadium at the University of Michigan. Real Madrid returned to the "Big House" to take on Chelsea 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, Manchester United, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain have all won installments of the tournament.

SOURCE Centerplate

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