Manchester United will be the star attraction of a glamour international club game against Sampdoria on to be stage at the Aviva Stadium on Wednesday, August 2.
United featured in the opening game of the redeveloped stadium in August 2010, when the Premier League giants took on an SSE Airtricity League XI in front of a sold-out crowd. They will be returning this summer for the first time in seven years with tickets likely to be snapped up quickly when they go on sale this Friday morning at 11am.
The game will come off the back of the International Champions Cup which this year takes place exclusively in the United States and will include United alongside Man City, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Stars
It will take place only ten days before the start of the Premier League season and as such is likely to feature many of United’s biggest stars as well as any additions to the squad over the summer.
It will also be in between game weeks 24 and 25 in the SSE Airtricity League and it is expected there will be promotion of the domestic League as it draws to a climax at that time.
Sampdoria and Man United Ambassadors Liam Brady and Gary Pallister were in Dublin yesterday for the launch of the game which promises to generate substantial interest and revenue for the stadium during what would otherwise be a quiet sporting month at that level.
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The FAI are on board with the event in terms of sanctioning and assistance in the areas of promotion and marketing though the TV rights and sponsorship will remain with tournament organisers Relevant Sports who were also behind last year’s sell out game between Celtic and Barcelona in Dublin and the visit of Inter Milan to Thomond Park.
“It was great coming to Dublin last year and to be able to do so again with Manchester United,” said Ben Spencer, Communications Director with the New York based promoter speaking to Sport for Business yesterday.
“The International Champions Cup is our main focus and will have 12 games featuring eight great teams in the US this summer.”
“This is presently our only game outside that, though there may be more that come to pass.”
It was borne of a desire for the manager and the team to play the right quality of games in the right places and we have had a long relationship with the FAI and Ireland.”
“It was always on the cards to bring Manchester United back to Dublin, they have such a strong fan base here and it’s great to make that happen this summer.”
Variety
“The team has a good variety of games over the summer, playing in great stadiums and allowing a large number of our global family of fans to see live games across the world,” added Ed Woodward, Manchester United Executive Vice Chairman.
“The pre-season programme has been put together to ensure the manager and his squad have a great platform to prepare for next season with games against top class opposition.”
Tickets will go on sale via Ticketmaster.ie on Friday, May 26 from 11am
There is an exclusive pre-sale period for FAI season ticket holders with details being distributed to them via email later today.
