Dubai: Emirates airline announced a partnership with the Guinness International Champions Cup on Wednesday.
The inaugural pre-season tournament sees eight clubs play across six US cities from July 27 until August 7 and will be broadcast live on Fox Sports.
AC Milan beat Valencia 2-1 on Saturday to kick off the tournament in Spain and Chelsea, Inter Milan, Juventus, Everton, Real Madrid and LA Galaxy are also competing.
All teams are guaranteed three matches each, with winners of the first round of eight progressing to a semi-final, final or third place play-off. Losers of the first round then must take part in playoffs to decide fifth and seventh places.
Charlie Stillitano, CEO of event organisers Relevent Sports, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Emirates as an inaugural partner for the first Guinness International Champions Cup. The teams and sponsors are world class, and we are excited to offer fans the opportunity to see a champion crowned.”
Boutros Boutros, Emirates divisional senior vice-president of corporate communications, marketing and brand, said: “Emirates proudly supports some of the world’s top soccer teams, including AC Milan, Hamburg, Arsenal, Olympiacos, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and the New York Cosmos.
“As with our sponsorship of the US Open tennis tournament, Emirates views our sponsorship of the Guinness International Champions Cup as a way of showing our gratitude to people across the US for making Emirates one of the world’s fastest growing airlines.
“Emirates is about connecting people from around the world, bringing them together for important moments, be it visiting family and friends, closing a deal, or, as we have done with the Guinness International Champions Cup, watching a soccer match with fellow fans.”
For information, visit www.internationalchampionscup.com.
