Cary, N.C. (June 19, 2018) – The North Carolina Courage has been invited to represent the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the first ever International Champions Cup Women’s Tournament which will take place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami July 26-29. The Courage join three of the top teams in the world, including five-time UEFA Champions League winner Olympique Lyonnais, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.
“Truly honored and humbled to have our club represented at such a prestigious event,” said NC Courage head coach Paul Riley. “The opportunity to play these top European teams is a fantastic chance to show the world the strength, passion and ability that the NWSL possesses. As you can imagine there is a fabulous buzz in our locker room regarding this opportunity, and we will grab it with both hands, put our best foot forward and hopefully give the fans attending a tremendous women’s soccer event.”
Tickets for the event go on sale to the general public Wednesday, June 20. North Carolina Football Club Season Ticket Members (NC Courage or North Carolina FC) will receive up to two complimentary tickets to each of the NC Courage matches. Season ticket members will receive an email directly from the club on Wednesday, June 20 that includes the opt-in ticket link. Season ticket members can claim up to 2 complimentary tickets for the Courage ICC matches in Miami, FL.
Fans will bear witness to some of the greatest women’s soccer in the world, as the inaugural Women’s Tournament will host the best of the best in 2017 NWSL Shield-Winner NC Courage, boasting several national team players representing the United States, Brazil, New Zealand, Ireland, Canada and Japan, and helmed by reigning NWSL Coach of the Year Paul Riley, along with five-time UEFA Women’s Champions League Winner and French Ligue 1 Winners Olympique Lyonnais and Runners Up, Paris Saint-Germain, as well as UEFA Women’s Champions League semi-finalist Manchester City, who have won four domestic trophies in four years.
The Women’s ICC Tournament will kick off a week-long celebration of soccer in Miami that allows fans to connect with the game at all levels. Top tier men’s matches will include Bayern Munich v Manchester City on July 28 and Manchester United v Real Madrid on July 31, along with opportunities for fans to catch these powerhouses in open training sessions on July 27 and July 30.
“The success of the International Champions Cup over these past six years has shown the popularity and enthusiasm for soccer in this country,” said Charlie Stillitano, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Relevent. “It is a natural direction to expand to include the women’s game. We think this will benefit everyone and help promote equality in sports.”
Interest and fandom for European soccer in the United States and Asia is at an all-time high and record numbers of new kids from every region and community are finding a passion for the game. The ICC brings the teams, players and fans together in new and innovative ways. General tickets go on sale Wednesday, June 20th for the ICC Women’s Tournament. All ticket information for women’s and men’s matches as well as open training opportunities is available at International Champions Cup.
Manchester City, Olympique Lyonnais, Paris Saint-Germain, and NC Courage will compete in Miami, with semi-finals to be played on Thursday, July 26th and third place game and final July 29th at Hard Rock Stadium. These teams will be in Miami alongside some of the world’s top men’s clubs who are participating in the Men’s ICC, including F.C. Bayern Munich v Manchester City F.C. on Saturday, July 28th and Manchester United F.C. v Real Madrid C.F. on Tuesday, July 31st.
The event serves as a springboard for expansion for the 2019 Women’s International Champions Cup, in which multiple teams from the world’s strongest women’s leagues around the globe will compete.
“With three of Europe’s top teams, alongside the top NWSL team, this inaugural year will build, just as International Champions Cup has grown over the years, to become a major player in the world,” said Daniel Sillman, CEO of Relevent. “Through this, and other upcoming initiatives, we are making a significant commitment to provide new and innovative global experiences for fans as well as athletes.”
The 2018 Inaugural Women’s ICC and Miami Week schedule:
July 26
ICC Women’s Semifinals:
NC Courage vs PSG 6:15pm at Hard Rock Stadium
Olympique Lyonnais vs Manchester City 9pm at Hard Rock Stadium
July 27
House of Soccer:
4-9pm location TBA
Open Training: Bayern Munich and Manchester City
Hard Rock Stadium
July 28
ICC Men:
Bayern Munich vs Manchester City 7pm at Hard Rock Stadium
July 29
Youth Coaching Clinic
ICC Women’s 3rd place: 6:15 pm at Hard Rock Stadium
ICC Women’s Final: 9pm at Hard Rock Stadium
July 30
Open Training: Real Madrid
Hard Rock Stadium
July 31
ICC Men:
Manchester United vs Real Madrid 8pm at Hard Rock Stadium
About Relevent
Relevent, is a multi-national media, sports and entertainment group that owns and operates the International Champions Cup. RELEVENT provides an innovative approach to property development, event productions, content and media production, brand management and activations for soccer, other sports and entertainment entities. â
About North Carolina Courage
The North Carolina Courage is a Division I professional women’s soccer team that plays in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). The NC Courage, the reigning NWSL Shield Winner, plays its home games at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. For more information, please visit www.www.nccourage.com or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
