The International Champions Cup.
Every summer teams from across Europe meet in the competition in locations around the world.
Fans at home know it’s a waste of time but, increasingly, European clubs are taking it more and more seriously as the format gains popularity and helps build foreign fan bases.
You may not see players taking it too seriously just yet – it’s still a warm-up for the season after all – but it’s a good place to see new players and managers for the first time in months.
What is it?
The competition was created in 2013 by American billionaire Stephen Ross as a way to grow the game Stateside. The competition has expanded and now has ‘sites’ in North America, Europe, China and Australia.
Who is playing?
All the big boys… and Melbourne Victory.
From England, all the usual suspects bar Arsenal are taking part.
Premier League champions Leicester City, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City are all involved, though they are mostly playing in different regions.
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, Internazionale and AC Milan are all also involved – as are Celtic.
Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola will continue their rivalry at their new clubs, Chelsea fans will get to see new manager Antonio Conte up close and several new faces will travel with the squads, giving fans plenty of opportunity to see what next season holds.
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When is it?
It depends on the region, but it kicks off overnight when Jose Mourinho’s United face Dortmund.
In China it takes place from 22 July to 28 July, in Australia 23 July to 29 July and in North America and Europe from 23 July to 13 August.
Fixtures (all times BST)
USA/EUROPE
23 July: Celtic vs Leicester City (Celtic Park, Glasgow, 5.30pm kick-off, Sky Sports 1)
24 July: Inter Milan vs Paris Saint-Germain (Autzen Stadium, Oregon, 10pm, Sky Sports 1)
28 July: Real Madrid vs PSG (Ohio Stadium, Ohio, July 28, 12.30am, Sky Sports 1)
28 July: Bayern Munich vs AC Milan (Soldier Field, Chicago, 2am, Sky Sports 1)
28 July: Chelsea vs Liverpool (Rose Bowl, California, 4am, Chelsea TV/LFCTV)
30 July: Barcelona vs Celtic (Aviva Stadium, Dublin, 1.30pm, Sky Sports 1)
30 July: Real Madrid vs Chelsea (Michigan Stadium, Michigan, 8pm, Chelsea TV)
30 July: Inter Milan vs Bayern Munich (Bank of America Stadium, North Carolina, 10pm, Sky Sports 3)
31 July: Liverpool vs AC Milan (Levi’s Stadium, California, 3am, Sky Sports 1/LFC TV)
31 July: PSG vs Leicester City (StubHub Center, California, 4.30am, Sky Sports 1)
3 August: Barcelona vs Leicester City (Friends Arena, Stockholm, 7pm, Sky Sports 1)
4 August: Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid (MetLife Stadium, New York, 12.30am, Sky Sports 1)
4 August: AC Milan vs Chelsea (US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, 2am, Chelsea TV)
6 August: Liverpool vs Barcelona (Wembley Stadium, London, 5.15pm, Sky Sports 1/LFC TV)
13 August: Inter Milan vs Celtic (Thomond Park Stadium, Limerick, 2.30pm, Sky Sports 2)
AUSTRALIA
23 July: Melbourne Victory vs Juventus (Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, 10am, Sky Sports 1)
26 July: Juventus vs Tottenham (Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, 11am, Sky Sports 1)
29 July: Tottenham vs Atletico Madrid (Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, 11am, Sky Sports 1)
CHINA
22 July: Manchester United vs Borussia Dortmund (Shanghai Stadium, Shanghai, July 22, 1pm, MUTV)
25 July: Manchester City vs Manchester United (National Stadium, Beijing, 12.30pm, MUTV)
28 July: Borussia Dortmund vs Man City (Shenzhen Universiade Center, Shenzhen, 1pm, Sky Sports 1)
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