Manchester United back in the USA in 2004.

[François]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MANCHESTER UNITED RETURNS TO USA NEXT SUMMER FOR THREE MATCHES; CHAMPIONSWORLD SERIES 2004 WILL SHOWCASE RED DEVILS IN CHICAGO & GIANTS STADIUM

NEW YORK - ChampionsWorld, the soccer event management company, and Manchester United, the world’s most famous soccer club, jointly announced today that the English Premier League champions will return to the United States for three games next summer. The Red Devils, under coach Sir Alex Ferguson, electrified fans coast to coast last July and August, when they played to sold out stadiums and emerged undefeated from a four-game schedule.

Ferguson and ChampionsWorld Chairman Charles Stillitano made the announcement here during a news session held at Niketown.

The 2004 ChampionsWorld Series will take Manchester United to Chicago for the first time, where they will play at Soldier Field, the newly renovated and sparkling showcase facility beside Lake Michigan.

Ferguson will also lead his team back into the New York area for a match at Giants Stadium. Last summer, the Manchester United-Juventus game drew 79,005 fans, the largest soccer crowd in the long and storied history of the game at Giants Stadium.

Dates and opponents for Manchester United’s three-game tour of the United States in 2004 will be announced shortly.

“We are thrilled to be returning to the United States for such significant matches next year,” said Manchester United Chairman David Gill. “The passion for soccer and the enthusiasm for Manchester United that greeted us last summer during our visit to the USA was simply overwhelming, and we are already getting eager to experience the American warmth and sports atmosphere once again. And, the chance to play world-class teams to again prepare for our Premiership season just adds spice to the adventure.”

Stillitano, whose ChampionsWorld company staged eight major matches in the USA this year, noted that “the dynamism and fame of teams such as Manchester United ignite the soccer fans of America. Soccer is a major part of American society nowadays, and big events such as the Manchester United matches provide the fans with lifetime memories and a chance to see the exploits of so many world-famous athletes in person.”

Further matches in the 2004 ChampionsWorld Series will be announced in the coming weeks.


Rich Schneider
Director, Communications
ChampionsWorld
p) 201-229-0175 x 115
f) 201-229-0176