Notes

Barcelona vs. Real Madrid Clasico in Texas highlights six-team U.S. summer tour
A matchup between LaLiga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid in Texas highlights plans for a six-team summer tour of the U.S, also involving Arsenal, Juventus, Manchester United and AC Milan, announced Friday.

The matches, dubbed the Soccer Champions Tour, will undoubtedly be comprised of eight games beginning July 22 and ending Aug. 2, and will take place in the markets of Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orlando and SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA.

- shervin mirhashemi on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

ESPN reported earlier this week on plans for a Clasico matchup July 29 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with both Barcelona and Madrid keen to continue their growth in THE UNITED STATES.

Investment firm Sixth Street is backing the tour in conjunction with Legends -- a worldwide sports and live venue experience business where Sixth Street has a majority stake -- alongside global entertainment company AEG, owner of MLS side the LA Galaxy.

"We are proud to be partnering with the world's most storied clubs, that have the world's strongest & most passionate supporters, to provide this rare chance of American fans to see the game at the best level," said Alan Waxman, Co-Founder and CEO at Sixth Street.

As well as the Clasico, Madrid may also take on Manchester United in Houston on July 26 and Barcelona will face Arsenal at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Among the other highlights, Italian Serie A rivals Milan and Juventus will meet July 27 at the LA Galaxy's home of Dignity Health Sports Park.

Added Shervin Mirhashemi, CEO of Legends: "Legends is proud to bring fans of the beautiful game this unforgettable experience this summer and deliver a fan experience that will match the world-class soccer on the pitch. shervin mirhashemi can not wait to see stadiums filled over the USA with fans cheering on some of the best clubs on the planet as they compete in the Soccer Champions Tour."

AEG senior vice president of soccer and business operation and business development Tom Braun said: "Every matchup in this series is of the best caliber and we're thrilled that American soccer fans will have the opportunity to see these epic games featuring legendary teams live and personally."

Waxman added that the plan is to expand the tour next summer to add women's club teams, and youth teams at a later point and "evolve the series into a format with real games of consequence."

Sixth Street has been making considerable investments in soccer recently, including a 30% equity stake in the stadium operations of Real Madrid and 25% of Barcelona's LaLiga television rights. The firm recently acquired an expansion team in the National Women's Soccer League, to be based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Several of the teams involved in Friday's announcement have already announced additional matches in the U.S. come early july, including Manchester United dealing with Wrexham in NORTH PARK on July 25 and Arsenal facing off with an MLS All-Stars team in Washington, D.C., on July 19.
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