The MCG is set to play host to Real Madrid in an international football cup scheduled for next year.
Rumours circulated Tuesday after ticket agency Ticketek confirmed a wait list for a major competition despite no mention of participating clubs or venues, however Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid will be among the clubs travelling to Australia according to News Ltd.
“The most significant football event Australia has ever seen is coming to Australia in 2015,” Ticketek said in a statement.
“The International Champions Cup (ICC), is a tournament featuring pre-eminent European football clubs playing in a round robin format over seven days in July 2015.
“The three international clubs to compete in the tournament will be announced over the coming months.”
The proposed three-team spectacle would take place at the MCG in July with the likes of Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United rumoured to also be involved. The tournament is also believed to feature stops Beijing with a concurrent event being played in the US at the same time.
“We’ve obviously been briefed because they need our sanctions,” a Football Federation Australia source told News Ltd.
Organisers face obvious challenges in ensuring the clubs bring near full-strength sides while scheduling dates to fit around the 100,000-seat stadium’s AFL commitment, however Channel 7 reporter Brendan Donohoe claims the MCG is booting the AFL from the stadium in order to accommodate the international dates.
“AFL offside with MCG. Aussie Rules booted by international soccer in July next year. AFL not happy,” Donohoe tweeted.
This year’s tournament, organised by Relevant Sports, featured Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United (winners), Milan, Internazionale, Romay, Olympiacos and Real Madrid; and drew 109,000 spectators to a match between United and Madrid in Michigan.
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