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The El Classico may be played in Miami this year

By Nathan Reynolds

Aug 3, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo (7) chases down the ball during the Guiness International Champions Cup semifinals at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 3, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo (7) chases down the ball during the Guiness International Champions Cup semifinals at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /
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With both Barcelona & Real Madrid signed up to participate in the International Cup of Champions this summer, there is a chance to two could meet in Miami.

Each summer a host of European giants visit the U.S. as part of their pre-season tour and to take part in the International Champions Cup (ICC). With both Barcelona and Real Madrid taking part in the Cup each summer, there is a chance fans could see the El Classico in Miami in 2017.

Let’s not forget that outside of pre-season fitness, the ICC primarily serves as a marketing tool for these massive clubs looking to secure more of the American fan base and advertising revenue. Either way though it gives the soccer community in the U.S. a chance to see some of the world’s biggest stars.

The 2017 edition will be the fifth in the U.S., while the tournament has expanded to Australia and Chin as well in recent years. PSG have been the champions for the past two cycles in this unofficial cup of the elite.

Spanish outlet Marca is reporting that there have been talks of creating a marquee match during the tournament at the newly renovated stadium in Miami. The Hard Rock Stadium, and association with the dining and music organization, would be an ideal spot to host these two giants.

Dec 11, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; A general view of Hard Rock Stadium before a game between Arizona Cardinals and the Miami Dolphins. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; A general view of Hard Rock Stadium before a game between Arizona Cardinals and the Miami Dolphins. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

In the past the tournament has kept the two clubs away from each other, per their requests. They are unlikely to agree to playing in a standard ICC match.

Two options that may work are, first, the opening match in Miami and enough financial benefits for the two, as the city is a target market for most big clubs (and one that sits without an MLS team yet). Or reformat the tournament to have a championship match in Miami and simply hope the two clubs make it that far.

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If the organizers of the ICC are able to make the impossible happen this summer and get Madrid and Barcelona to face off in an extra El Classico, the tickets will be gone instantly. A weekend of pre-match concerts, fan events and practices would flood Miami with fans of the two clubs and soccer in general.

It would be a huge win for the ICC, Miami, and even the MLS, but first the clubs have to see it as a win for themselves.

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