FC Barcelona return to the United States for preseason tour with games against Real Madrid, Arsenal, Juventus & AC Milan scheduled
FC Barcelona is set to embark on their pre-season tour in the United States once again this year, marking their return to American soil. The tour holds great significance for the club as they aim to tap into the North American market and strengthen their global presence. This upcoming tour will be their 14th visit to the country for pre-season preparations. The schedule boasts an exciting lineup of matches, including the highly anticipated clash with their arch-rivals, Real Madrid, making it the third El Clasico to be held on American soil.
The tour kicks off on July 22 in California, where Barcelona will face Italian giants Juventus at the Levis Stadium in Santa Clara, San Francisco Bay Area. This venue has previously hosted Barcelona matches against Manchester United in 2015 and AC Milan in 2018. It offers a capacity of 68,000 and promises an intense encounter between the two European powerhouses. Last season, the friendly between Barcelona and Juventus on tour resulted in a thrilling 2-2 draw, adding to the anticipation surrounding this upcoming match.
The second match in California will see Barcelona go head-to-head with Mikel Arteta's Arsenal on July 26. The SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Los Angeles will be the stage for this clash. With a capacity of 70,000, this relatively new venue serves as the home ground for both the Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams of the NFL. This fixture marks the first meeting between Barcelona and Arsenal in seven seasons, with their last encounter occurring in the UEFA Champions League round of sixteen in 2016. The game also represents the first-ever face-off between the two clubs on American soil.
Undoubtedly, one of the tour's highlights will be the rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid, as they meet at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on July 29. This venue, home to the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, can accommodate 80,000 spectators. Barcelona has previously visited this stadium in 2011 for a match against Manchester United and in 2018 against AS Roma. In their two previous meetings with Real Madrid in the USA, Barcelona emerged victorious, winning 3-2 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami in 2017 and securing a 1-0 triumph at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas in 2022.
The tour's grand finale takes place in Las Vegas, where Barcelona squares off against AC Milan at the Allegiant Stadium. With a seating capacity of 65,000, this venue has witnessed Barcelona's triumph over AC Milan in 2003 in Washington, D.C., and AC Milan's narrow victory in 2018 in Santa Clara. It promises to be an exciting showdown as the two teams battle it out on American soil once again.
Barcelona's decision to focus their activities on the West Coast of the United States this year represents a shift from their previous emphasis on the East Coast during the 2022 tour. The club aims to engage with fans and conduct various institutional and social events in cities like Santa Clara, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas.
As Barcelona embarks on their US pre-season tour, they strive not only to fine-tune their squad but also to strengthen their global brand and foster connections with fans in the United States. With an enticing lineup of matches against formidable opponents like Real Madrid, Arsenal, Juventus, and AC Milan, football enthusiasts across the nation can look forward to witnessing top-class football and thrilling encounters throughout this highly anticipated tour.
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