MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. (WSVN) - It’s official: FC Barcelona and Real Madrid will play in El Clásico at Hard Rock Stadium this summer.
Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross made the big announcement at the Fontainebleau Hotel, Friday. “We are bringing to Miami the El Clásico, which will rank as one of the top events in the world of sport,” he said.
On July 29, the world-famous teams will face each other for the first time on U.S. soil.
The first Clásico of the 2017/18 season will be in Miami #ElClasicoMiami #2017ICC pic.twitter.com/DHskFWI1O9
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 10, 2017
“This the biggest rivalry in the world,” Ross said. “There’s nothing that really is even close to this.”
The iconic rivals haven’t played each other outside of Spain in 35 years.
Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez said the game will be a massive event, even comparing it to a famous football game. “They chose Miami, so that’s why it’s a big deal,” he said. “It’s almost like a Super Bowl.”
Flo Rida on Friday announced he will perform at one of the many concerts and parties leading up to the July match. “This is history,” he said. “Everybody I look forward to a phenomenal party. I’m going to bring the energy. Welcome to my house.”
Organizers expect fans to fly into South Florida from all over the world. “The rivalry between us, the huge community of fans that we have around the world makes that we need to play this match in a special way,” said Manel Arroyo, FC Barcelona’s vice president of marketing and media.
“We’ve felt the passion of our fans here. We enjoy it a lot, the experience, and we are very excited about this terrific opportunity,” said Real Madrid Vice President Emilio Butragueño.
An opportunity for not only the sport and the die-hard fans, but for Miami itself. “I think it’s great for Miami. I think it’s great for South Florida,” Ross said. “[For] the amount of business it will generate, and it creates an excitement in the city.”
Tickets will go on sale for the general public on March 20.
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