Real Madrid, Manchester United to face off in Michigan Stadium

Last year, Michigan Stadium set the record for the largest crowd to watch an NHL hockey game. Apparently, that is not enough.

Michigan will attempt to set the record for the largest crowd to ever watch a soccer game in the United States later this year.

The University of Michigan athletic department and Relevent Sports announced on Friday that soccer clubs Real Madrid and Manchester United will play each other in Michigan Stadium August 2.

The match in Ann Arbor is one of many being played across the country this summer in a tournament-style structure called The Guinness International Champions Cup. The tournament features arguably the most recognizable teams in Euro Soccer today. Real Madrid, Manchester City, Liverpool FC, AS Roma, Inter Milan, AC Milan and Olympiacos will compete in 12 round robin contests in stadiums across the United States.

Matches are being hosted in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Charlotte, Denver, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, Dallas and Ann Arbor. The tournament begins July 24 and a winner will be crowned August 4 in Miami's Sun Life Stadium.

"We are excited about the opportunity to host two of soccer's premier clubs at Michigan Stadium," said U-M Athletic Direct Dave Brandon in a press release today. "This is a rare chance for the Ann Arbor community and thousands of soccer fans in and around the southeast Michigan area to watch elite level professional soccer. This event will have a positive economic impact on the city of Ann Arbor and the state of Michigan and will continue to extend the Michigan brand internationally."

Tickets for the event will be available April 7 in an exclusive presale. The general public will be able to have access to tickets beginning April 10 at 8:30 a.m, with prices starting as low as $45.

According to Brandon, a portion of the proceeds from the event will go to central campus to expand on the scholarship program. Another portion will be dedicated to place a down payment on a new soccer facility for the University.

The match is tentatively set for a 4:00 p.m kickoff on Fox.

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