April 25, 2022

Soccer

LONE STAR SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES MANCHESTER CITY AND CLUB AMÉRICA TO MEET AT NRG STADIUM ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 20

Tickets to go on sale on April 28 for inaugural Copa de Lone Star

Houston – Lone Star Sports & Entertainment announced today that reigning English Premier League champions Manchester City will meet Liga BBVA MX powerhouse Club América in the 2022 Copa de Lone Star at NRG Stadium on Wednesday, July 20, at 7:30 p.m. CT. Tickets for this international friendly will go on sale to the public beginning on April 28. Fans can find ticket and match information at www.lsse.net/copadelonestar. Television broadcast information will be announced at a later date.

 

The contest will mark Manchester City’s first international friendly in over two calendar years due to COVID-19 restrictions and the club’s return to NRG Stadium after taking on Manchester United on July 20, 2017, in the first overseas Manchester derby. Club América returns to NRG Stadium for the first time since meeting F.C. Barcelona on August 9, 2006. Manchester City will play a second U.S. preseason fixture to be announced in the near future.

 

“We are thrilled at the opportunity to welcome these two iconic teams and their passionate fans back to Houston for one of this summer’s most exciting events,” said Greg Grissom, President of Lone Star Sports & Entertainment. “Manchester City and Club América are truly global brands. On July 20, the stage will be set at NRG Stadium for another exciting chapter in each club’s storied legacy.”

 

“Houston is the nation’s most diverse and inclusive city. We love sports and welcome fans worldwide to come and enjoy the electrifying atmosphere of great competition and sportsmanship,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “We are honored to be the host city for the match between these two outstanding teams. The event is guaranteed to be huge for soccer fans and a big win for the City of Houston.”

 

“The game of soccer is as close as we get to having an international language,” said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. “As the third largest county in America, the most diverse in the nation and a destination for people and businesses from across the globe, we are delighted to welcome these two teams to Harris County. I’m confident these teams and their fans will not soon forget the wonderful hospitality, energy, and spirit of competition our region is known for.”

 

Manchester City was originally founded as St. Mark’s West Gorton in 1880, later assuming its current name in 1894. The Club has secured a European Cup Winners’ Cup, seven League Championship titles, including five Premier League titles in the last seven years (2012, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2021) and six FA Cups. Manchester City is one of 11 clubs comprising the City Football Group (CFG). Under manager Pep Guardiola, one of the most highly decorated managers in world soccer, the Club plays its domestic and UEFA Champions League home fixtures at the 55,000 seat Etihad Stadium that City has called home since 2003.

 

“We are excited to return to the United States for this summer’s preseason trip, our first since before COVID. Our players and coaches cannot wait to play once again in-person in front of our American fans, who have shown us such great support and passion,” said Omar Berrada, Chief Football Operations Officer at City Football Group. “Our first stop will be to Houston where we will take on Club América in our first preseason exhibition match. Houston is a city we are familiar with and have had the privilege to play at NRG Stadium before. Houston welcomed us with southern hospitality when we came for preseason in 2017 and we are really looking forward to returning to see our Texan fans.”

 

Founded in 1916, Club América plays its home matches at the famous Estadio Azteca in Mexico City and has won a record 13 league titles, six Copa MX titles and six Campeón de Campeones cups. Club América’s 10 FIFA recognized club trophies are the most of any club in the Concacaf region, with a record seven Concacaf Champions Cup/Champions League titles, two Copa Interamericana titles and one Cocacaf Giants Cup.

 

“Facing a rival like Manchester City is always an exciting opportunity and we’re very thankful for the invitation,” said Santiago Baños, President of Club América. “The upcoming match on July 20 is an incredible chance for fans in the United Kingdom, United States and abroad to better get to know Mexican football, and of course this represents an amazing opportunity for the Americanistas to watch their favorite team play against an elite international opponent.”

 

The home of the Houston Texans and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, NRG Stadium has also hosted numerous major sporting events, including two Super Bowls, two NCAA Men’s Final Fours, Copa America Centenario, Concacaf Gold Cup and various international soccer matches the United States Women’s and Men’s National Teams, the Mexican Men’s National Team and top soccer clubs from around the world.

 

About Lone Star Sports & Entertainment

Lone Star Sports & Entertainment is an event management company founded in 2003 that is closely affiliated with the NFL’s Houston Texans. Since its founding, LSSE has established itself as the leading sports event promoter in Houston. In addition to producing major annual college football events like the TaxAct Texas Bowl and other leading entertainment properties, LSSE has emerged as a premier promoter for international soccer matches, including Copa America Centenario, the 2010 MLS All-Star Game featuring Manchester United, the 2006 FC Barcelona U.S. tour, the International Champions Cup, the 2003 and 2008 matches between the United States and Mexico, and the 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2019 and 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cups.

 

About Manchester City Football Club

Manchester City FC is an English Premier League club initially founded in 1880 as St Mark’s West Gorton. It officially became Manchester City FC in 1894 and has since then gone onto win the European Cup Winners’ Cup, seven League Championship titles, including five Premier League titles (2012, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2021), and six FA Cups. Manchester City FC is one of 11 clubs comprising the City Football Group and counts New York City FC and Melbourne City FC among its sister clubs.

 

Under manager Pep Guardiola, one of the most highly decorated managers in world football, the Club plays its domestic and UEFA Champions League home fixtures at the Etihad Stadium, a spectacular 55,000 seat arena that City have called home since 2003. Today, the Stadium sits on the wider Etihad Campus, which also encompasses the City Football Academy, a state-of-the-art performance training and youth development facility located in the heart of East Manchester. Featuring a 7,000 capacity Academy Stadium, the City Football Academy is also where Manchester City Women’s Football Club and the Elite Development Squad train on a daily basis and play their competitive home games.

 

For more information, please visit www.mancity.com.

 

About Club América

Founded on October 12, 1916, Club América is the largest and winningest soccer team in both Mexico and North America. The Eagles have secured 13 Liga MX titles, six Copa MX titles and one Liga MX Femenil. At the international level, Club América has won two Inter-American Cups and a record seven Concacaf Champions Cup/Champions League tiles. Playing its home games at the historic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, Club América is also heavily involved in various social responsibility initiatives and activities.

 

For more information, please visit www.clubamerica.com.mx.