TCF Bank Stadium to host international soccer game

MINNEAPOLIS -- The home of Golden Gophers football team will host a different type of football game this summer.

The University of Minnesota announced Thursday that TCF Bank Stadium will be the site of a soccer game between Manchester City and Olympiacos on Aug. 2. The game will be part of the Guinness International Champions Cup, a tournament that features eight teams from around the world.

"The University of Minnesota and its athletic department are proud to be a part of such a prestigious series and to host two of the most famous clubs in the world," Minnesota athletic director Norwood Teague said in a statement. "TCF Bank Stadium has hosted some of the most exciting events in recent Twin Cities history and we look forward to welcoming  another memorable event."

TCF Bank Stadium opened in 2009 as the home of the Gophers football team. It has since hosted a major concert when U2 played there in 2011, and earlier this year hosted a pair of outdoor hockey games. This will be the first time a soccer game of this magnitude will take place in the 50,805-seat stadium on the University of Minnesota campus.

The game is set to kick off at 2 p.m. CT and will also be broadcast on Fox Sports 2. Tickets will go on sale to the general public this Saturday at www.internationalchampionscup.com.

Manchester City plays in the English Premier League and was founded in 1880. Olympiacos is the reigning champion of Superleague Greece.

"I love visiting the USA, and I know the players are all looking forward to playing in Minneapolis for the first time," said Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart. "TCF Bank Stadium looks an unbelievable venue, and it will be fantastic to show our skills for our fans out there."

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