On the heels of this morning’s announcement of the 2013 Guinness International Champions Cup, Indy Pro Soccer President Peter Wilt has issued the following statement:

“Indy Pro Soccer is working with national promoter Relevent Sports in an attempt to bring a major international exhibition match to Indianapolis. This event would be part of the eight-team Guinness International Champions Cup, a unique tournament taking place in multiple cities across the U.S. this summer.

While plans are not yet finalized, if the right match can be secured it will mark the biggest soccer event to be hosted in the city of Indianapolis. As Indiana’s new North American Soccer League team, we are excited to help deliver such a high-profile event to soccer fans from across the state.”

Indy Pro Soccer launched Jan. 16 as the 12th member of the North American Soccer League. The NASL is a professional soccer league established in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. The NASL member teams are: Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina RailHawks, FC Edmonton, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, New York Cosmos, Minnesota Stars FC, Puerto Rico Islanders, San Antonio Scorpions FC and the 2012 champion Tampa Bay Rowdies. Indy Pro Soccer, Ottawa Fury and Virginia Cavalry will begin play in 2014.

Relevent Sports, a division of RSE Ventures, and FOX Sports Media Group, today unveiled plans for the 2013 Guinness International Champions Cup, a brand new eight team bracketed soccer tournament taking place this summer in the United States. The announcement of the multi-year agreement was made by Relevent Sports CEO Charlie Stillitano, Matt Higgins, President and CEO of RSE Ventures, David Nathanson, Executive Vice President and General Manager, FOX Soccer and Doug Campbell, Guinness Brand Manager.

Eight teams are participating in the one-of-a-kind tournament including club teams from Spain, Italy and the United States. Following is a list of four participating teams; four additional marquee international clubs will be announced in May 7.

“The United States has never seen a club soccer tournament of this scope and caliber,” said Charlie Stillitano, Relevent Sports CEO. “The Guinness International Champions Cup will bring a new level of excitement and enthusiasm to the burgeoning sport of soccer across America. The teams are world-class, the fans are passionate and we could not be happier to facilitate such a landmark event. I want to personally thank Stephen Ross for the vision and support in turning this tournament into reality.”

The tournament will open in Europe on Saturday, July 27, in a city to be determined and be contested over seven days at six marquee venues across the United States, with semi-finals in New York and Los Angeles on Aug. 3-4. United States Host cities are Phoenix, San Francisco, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, New York and Miami.

The tournament will be seen in 151 countries across the world and culminate on Aug. 6-7 as all eight teams descend upon Miami’s Sun Life Stadium for a pair of exciting doubleheaders including the championship match on Wednesday, Aug. 7. FOX Soccer will televise 11 of the prestigious tournament’s 12 matches live, including the championship at 9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7. FOX Sports will also add to the coverage and broadcast a live match at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug., 3. In future years the tournament will be televised by FOX Sports 1, FSMG’s newly minted national multi-sport cable channel launching in August.

“FOX Soccer is excited to work with Relevent Sports and Guinness to be the primary television home for the Guinness International Champions Cup this summer,” said David Nathanson, Executive Vice President and General Manager, FOX Soccer. “The tournament brings great teams from around the world together in the U.S. and gives American soccer fans a chance to see the sport and at its highest level of play.”

Each participating team has a long-standing soccer tradition not only in their respective leagues, but on an international scale. Every team in the tournament has won their home country’s league title in multiple seasons, countless European championships and have over 100 combined domestic league championships. The United States has not seen a tournament of this caliber since they hosted the 1994 World Cup and the fast growing soccer market continues to express the desire for additional games. The inclusion of these international championship clubs into one tournament in the U.S. will be unforgettable for both host cities and fans alike.

“This tournament will set the gold standard for club soccer in the United States,” said Matt Higgins, CEO of RSE Ventures, the sports, entertainment and technology company co-founded by Dolphins owner Stephen Ross.

“A year ago, Stephen Ross had the vision to create a meaningful preseason tournament that would bring the world’s best teams and top talent to venues all across the United States, culminating in an unprecedented celebration of the sport at Sun Life Stadium. The Guinness International Champions Cup is more than a soccer tournament; it will make it possible for Americans across the country to experience competitive international soccer first hand.”

Miami’s Sun Life Stadium will host all eight teams for the championship and consolation rounds on August 6 and 7. The four games over two days will not only highlight the world-class level of the sport, the continued growth and passion for soccer in the United States but also Miami’s thriving food, arts and music scene with a two-day fan festival. Tickets for the doubleheader matches at Sun Life will be available at www.internationalchampionscup.com.

“Guinness & Co. is a well-known supporter and champion for sports around the world and we are very excited to be involved with such a groundbreaking international soccer event here in the United States,” said Doug Campbell, GUINNESS Brand Director. “To so many, soccer is more than a game and we have always celebrated Guinness beer as being more than a beer. We are excited to bring the brand’s refreshing tasting Guinness Black Lager to thousands of passionate adult sports fans to enjoy, responsibly, this summer during the Guinness International Champions Cup.”

All teams will play at least three matches in the bracketed tournament, including one match at Sun Life. Fans can look forward to learning more about the four additional teams, venues and tournament bracket on May 7. Further details about the Guinness International Champions Cup can be found at www.internationalchampionscup.com. Teams required to qualify for 2013-14 international competition based on 2012-13 domestic league finishing position may be subject to change.

Source: Relevent Sports, Inside INdiana Business, Indy Pro Soccer