March 23 – Beijing, China, is set to host the first Manchester derby with City’s new manager Pep Guardiola in charge and, if rumours are correct, Jose Mourinho having taken over as United’s new manager.
The match will be part of the International Champions Cup China (ICC China) being played in the country with the Bundesliga’s Borussia Dortmund being the third club in the competition.
United will open the competition in the Shanghai Stadium on Friday 22 July against Dortmund before heading to the Beijing National Stadium on Monday 25 July to play City.
ICC China will then conclude in Shenzen as Dortmund take on Manchester City on July 28.
Chinese partner LeSports revealed the planned line-up and match schedule today for what is the second edition of the International Champions Cup China (ICC China), and the first time the ‘Manchester Derby’ has been played outside the UK.
“After the first edition of International Champions Cup China set a high benchmark for fans, clubs and commercial partners, we needed to deliver something extra special for 2016.” said David Tyler, CEO of organisers Relevent Sports. “We believe staging the first ever Manchester Derby outside of the United Kingdom in Beijing is certainly special. And Borussia Dortmund, who played a Champions League final most recently in 2013, will be formidable and thrilling opponents for Manchester City and United.”
Last summer’s ICC China was won by Real Madrid with stadia being sold out in just hours after tickets going on-sale. Organisers are predicting similar demand.
In 2015, nearly one million fans attended ICC matches globally including Manchester United’s sell-out games in the US against Mexican side Club América, MLS outfit San Jose Earthquakes, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
The 2015 event was broadcast to over 165 territories globally and drew a cumulative audience of nearly 80 million in the Asia-Pacific region alone.
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