GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Professional Fútbol is coming to Lambeau Field, but it’s not the kind people in Green Bay might be used to seeing.
Lambeau Field will turn into a soccer pitch July 23rd for an exhibition USA Cup match between top European pro clubs Manchester City and FC Bayern Munich.
“I think this is probably one of the worst kept secrets…Start football season a little bit early for Packer fans with a little bit of soccer,” said Packers President Mark Murphy. “We know how much it means to the local community and our fans really appreciate different events here at Lambeau field and it draws visitors from all over the country and our area, now all over the world, I’m anticipating with this.”
It’s the first time ever that professional soccer will be played at Lambeau Field. Murphy says it’s extraordinarily special for that to include a pair of iconic, historic teams with devoted supporters, just like the Packers.
“We often talk about our history and how important our team is to our community, and how our stadium and franchise is historic in the world of American football. We’re pleased to welcome two historic, phenomenal, and iconic clubs here to Lambeau Field,” Murphy said. “We live here, so we see it every day. But Lambeau Field means so much, not only to football fans but to sports fans. The opportunity to be the first teams ever to play a soccer match here at Lambeau Field will be pretty special.”
Legendary players from both of the clubs were on-hand for the announcement in the Lambeau Field atrium. Both Bayern Munich legend Christiano Pizzaro aand Manchester City legend Shaun Wright-Phillips are excited.
“After the pandemic, it was very difficult to fly and come to the USA. This time, we are really excited and we’re really happy to be here and to play this game. I think it’s going to be something special to bring some fans from ‘football’ and NFL together in this historic stadium,” Pizzaro said. “I am a big NFL fan, so I know exactly what it means [to be at] Lambeau Field. I’d love to play that game, but I’m not playing anymore. So I’m here as an ambassador for Bayern, and as I said, we are delighted to be here and to play this game.”
“We’re really looking forward to this to this project, to be honest. I think 2018 was the last time Manchester City was able to come out to America and showcase their talent and meet their fanbase within America,” Wright-Phillips added. “To get in at a stadium such as this one is a very special occasion, and to be the actual first one makes it that much more important.”
With the sport also continuing to grow in popularity across the country, Pizzaro hopes the exhibition will fuel the passion for young players on this side of the pond.
“Soccer is getting bigger in the USA. You can see that when the players are coming to the Bundesliga, and when they’re doing very well. That’s something very important for the USA team as well,” Pizzaro said. “The development in ‘football’ – in soccer – is getting bigger here. So this is going to be huge for the youth people in America.”
Pizzaro and Wright-Phillips weren’t the only legendary athletes in the building, however. Soon-to-be NFL Hall of Famer, Leroy Butler, introduced the two to his invention – the Lambeau Leap.
“Hosting this game is amazing because arguably, soccer can be a world-global sport,” Butler said. “I don’t know if they’re necessarily let guys celebrate like we do – they might get a different card. But I think celebrations are great, especially the ‘Leap,’ because they have to do with the best fans in the world.”
A video of Wright-Phillips’ and Pizzaro’s attempts will be uploaded shortly.
Ticket prices range from $35 to $160. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. CT Friday online. A presale will be open to Packers season ticket holders at 10 a.m. CT Thursday. Season ticket holders will receive additional information over email from the Packers organization. A separate presale for Bayern Munich and Manchester City supporters will begin Tuesday at 10 a.m. in their local time zones.
