2019 INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONS CUP SINGAPORE PRESENTED BY AIA ATTRACTS MORE THAN 100,000 SPECTATORS

Singapore, 22 July 2019 – Record sales for the 2019 International Champions Cup in Singapore presented by AIA saw the National Stadium packed to the rafters with a total attendance of 103,340 over two nights. This year’s four participating teams, Manchester United, Inter, Juventus and Tottenham Hotspur, entertained the crowd with thrilling football action at the Singapore National Stadium. Cheers rang loud and clear as fans celebrated the opportunity to watch their heroes right here in Southeast Asia.

This is the third consecutive year where top European football clubs have included Singapore as part of their summer pre-season training tour, providing football fans from Singapore and the region the opportunity to get up close with their heroes. New milestones have been set with each edition of the International Champions Cup Singapore. In 2017, the match between Chelsea and Bayern drew a crowd of 48,522 – the largest ever at the National Stadium then, while the match between Arsenal and PSG drew a record crowd of 50,308 in 2018. Singapore has also had the fortune of witnessing the Clubs’ latest signings, be it player or manger – both Mattijs De Ligt and Maurizio Sarri made their debut for Juventus, and Tanguy Ndombele impressed from his first touch for Tottenham Hotspur yesterday in the National Stadium.

Singapore’s world-class facilities and reputation for efficiency and hospitality are key factors for Clubs choosing Singapore as part of their pre-season training tour. Other than enjoying the facilities Singapore has to offer, they also get the chance to give back to their fans who otherwise may not have the opportunity to watch top flight European football action.

On top of first-class sporting action on the field, the city was abuzz with various activities in the lead up to the matches. The introduction of the ICC Roving Truck saw members of the public hop aboard a specially-kited out ICC truck where they could test their football skills and win exclusive ICC premiums. As the teams arrived in Singapore, activities involving the clubs and their star players popped up around the city, truly setting Singapore alight with football fever.

As the International Champions Cup enters its seventh year of bringing world-class international football to countries around the world, organiser Relevent Sports Group has also started a new initiative, the ICC Legacy Project. The goal of the Legacy Project is to help the host cities beyond match day to give back to the community and truly leave behind a legacy.

Hours before kick-off on July 20, Club legends such as Bryan Robson and Denis Irwin from Manchester United; Julio Cesar from Inter; David Trezeguet from Juventus; and Ledley King from Tottenham Hotspur, dedicated some of their time to Special Olympics Singapore – the chosen beneficiary this year. Along with imparting football skills and techniques, the legends also presented the attending youths with advice, inspiring them to believe in themselves and their dreams.

In addition to the Legacy Project, presenting sponsor, AIA, also launched #AIASquadGoals in the lead up to the two matches. The week-long programme encouraged the community to embrace an active and healthier lifestyle by completing a series of activities in return for a chance to meet their favourite players. The #AIASquadGoals culminated with the selection of two aspiring football players who won the chance to win a one-week expense paid elite training programme with Tottenham Hotspur Global Development coaches.

“The International Champions Cup has revolutionised the summer touring experience for the world’s biggest and best football clubs and we couldn’t be more pleased from the support that continues to grow in Singapore,” said RSG Executive Chairman Charlie Stillitano. “It means even more to us to be able to give back to the community this year with the introduction of the ICC Legacy Project. Leveraging football and engaging with kids from the Special Olympics Singapore was very special and we hope that it had left a lasting impact on them as well.”

Singapore is the third country to host the tournament in Asia-Pacific and will be the only country in Southeast Asia to host a leg of the prestigious annual tournament until 2020.

The International Champions Cup is the world’s premier summer football tournament and brings the best in football to iconic venues across North America, Europe, Australia, China and Southeast Asia. It counts some of the world’s most valued football teams such as Manchester United, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain as champions in its previous editions of the annual tournament.

Information and Photo Source : International Champions Cup Singapore