Kickoff will be held at M&T Bank Stadium a little earlier than expected this summer.
The Baltimore Ravens announced Tuesday that famous European soccer clubs FC Barcelona and AC Milan will play an exhibition battle on Tuesday, August 6th as part of the 2024 Soccer Champions Tour.
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Stops at NFL stadiums in Chicago, East Rutherford and Charlotte are also on the tour's list.
“We are excited to bring two of the world's most iconic soccer franchises, FC Barcelona and AC Milan, to Baltimore,” Ravens President Sashi Brown said in a statement. “Hosting international soccer games at M&T Bank Stadium demonstrates the Mid-Atlantic region's growing demand for and passion for the beautiful game and the Ravens' commitment to bringing world-class sports and entertainment events to the greater Baltimore area. ing.”
Both clubs will bring great prestige to the exhibition match. Barça have won La Liga (Spain's top men's soccer division) for the 27th time, while AC Milan have won 19 times in Serie A, Italy's equivalent. This game will take place one year and five days after the previous battle at Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders. Ansu Fanti's goal in the 55th minute gave Barca a 1-0 victory.
AC Milan played in their first football match, held at M&T Bank Stadium in July 2009 as part of the World Football Challenge, losing 2–1 to Chelsea in the English Premier League. This summer's game was the seventh on Ravens' turf, the last being an exhibition between English clubs Arsenal and Everton, which ended in a 2-1 victory for the Gunners.
The Ravens are coming off a winning season on the soccer field, defeating new friend Derrick Henry and the Tennessee Titans 24-16 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London last October.
