Lambeau Field to host first-ever soccer game this summer

Lambeau Field will host its first-ever soccer game when two of the world’s most dominant clubs come to Green Bay for an exhibition match.

Manchester City and FC Bayern Munich will face off July 23 at Lambeau for what organizers are calling the USA Cup. The friendly game is part of pre-season tours by both teams.

The game was announced Monday at Lambeau. Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy said he’s thankful organizers are bringing the match to Green Bay even though the community has a smaller market than other cities.

“I’m a little biased, but Lambeau Field is, to me, the best football stadium in the world, and we couldn’t think of two better teams to play our first soccer game at Lambeau. It’s really going to be special,” he said.

This is the second time Manchester City, an English club, and Bayern Munich, a German club, will play in the United States. The last time was in 2018 in Miami.

Retired Manchester City player Shaun Wright-Phillips was at Lambeau for the announcement. He and retired striker Claudio Pizarro, who is now an ambassador for Bayern Munich, toured the stadium with former Packer LeRoy Butler.

Wright-Phillips said he’s happy to see the team touring again after travel to the U.S. was shut down during the pandemic.

“I think 2018 was the last time Man City got to come out to America and obviously showcase their talent and meet all their fan base in America,” Wright-Phillips said. “So to get it at a stadium such as this one is a very special occasion, and to be the actual first one makes it all that more important.”

For Green Bay, the return of events at the stadium outside the football season is also welcome.

“We’re expecting a sell out for the event,” Brad Toll, president of Discover Green Bay, said.

He said the game will draw a new audience to the city.

“We’re expecting tens of thousands of fans here and the economic impact will likely exceed $10 million,” Toll said.

Tickets for the game go on sale this week. Packers season ticket holders and registered supporters of the two soccer clubs can begin buying tickets Thursday. Tickets will be available to the public beginning Friday.