Arsenal Football Club has announced the line-up for this summer’s pre-season curtain-raiser, the Emirates Cup 2011, to be held on Saturday 30th July and Sunday 31st July.
Joining the Gunners at Emirates Stadium for this summer’s pre-season tournament will be three high profile teams from around the world.
Emirates Cup 2011 will see Arsenal joined by MLS side New York Red Bulls, who currently boast Gunners’ legend Thierry Henry in their ranks, leading French club Paris Saint-Germain and Club Atletico Boca Juniors - the most successful Argentine and South American club of all time. As with previous Emirates Cup tournaments, fans will enjoy two matches on both Saturday and Sunday, with one ticket giving access to both matches on a particular day.
Click here for Emirates Cup ticket information
The kick-off times on both days are 2pm and 4.20pm, with tickets priced from only £25 for adults and £15 for concessions for each day.
Coinciding with the announcement of the line-up for this year’s tournament, Arsenal Football Club is also delighted to announce that a three year extension has been signed with Emirates Airline, as title sponsor of the Emirates Cup until 2013.
As well as the contract extension with Emirates Airline, Arsenal has also signed a five year agreement with MP & Silva to distribute the broadcast rights to the tournament. These two new arrangements reflect the rapid growth of the Emirates Cup which is now considered the world’s leading pre-season tournament.
Emirates Cup 2011 kicks-off at 2pm on Saturday 30th July with Thierry Henry’s New York Red Bulls taking on Paris Saint-Germain, followed at 4.20pm with the hosts Arsenal playing Boca Juniors.
Sunday’s fixtures also start at 2pm, when Paris Saint-Germain take on Boca Juniors. Arsenal and New York Red Bulls will bring the competition to an exciting climax, kicking off the final match at 4.20pm on Sunday afternoon.
Teams will be awarded three points for a win and one point for a draw. The competition also rewards attacking play, with teams being awarded one point for each goal they score. In addition, shots on target will be counted and will be used to decide the tournament winners if teams are level on points and goal difference.
The winning team will be presented with the Emirates Cup trophy after the second match on Sunday 31st July.
The Club is pleased to announce that, once again, Arsenal members will receive exclusive first rights on purchasing tickets for Emirates Cup 2011, which will offer many Gunners’ supporters the first opportunity to see Arsenal play ahead of the 2011/2012 season.
Arsenal Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis said: “We’re delighted and proud to once again be hosting the Emirates Cup this summer. Over the previous four years, the Emirates Cup has proved to be an overwhelming success and a thoroughly enjoyable weekend of football.
“Nearly half a million supporters have now come to Emirates Stadium to attend the Emirates Cup in the four years, and the tournament is now recognised around the world as a prestigious pre-season event.
“Emirates Airline has been the proud sponsor of the Emirates Cup since the inaugural tournament in 2007 and we’re obviously delighted that they have decided to continue with this successful partnership.
“New York Red Bulls, Boca Juniors and Paris Saint-Germain are three clubs with great players and huge followings, and they are sure to make Emirates Cup 2011 a hugely exciting weekend of football. Also, I’m sure all Arsenal fans will be looking forward to welcoming back Thierry Henry – a true Arsenal legend.”
Maurice Flanagan, Executive Vice Chairman, Emirates Airline & Group added: “The Emirates Cup is an integral part of our long-term partnership with Arsenal Football Club and a relationship of which we are extremely proud.
“Emirates Cup 2011 is sure to be an exciting pre-season event, which features two of our sponsored teams in Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain. Also the two other teams are based in key Emirates Airline destinations – Buenos Aires and New York.”
All further developments regarding the Emirates Cup 2011 will appear on Arsenal.com and in all official Arsenal publications.
Emirates Cup 2011 match schedule:
Saturday 30th July
New York Red Bulls v Paris Saint-Germain (2pm)
Arsenal v Boca Juniors (4.20pm)
Sunday 31st July
Boca Juniors v Paris Saint-Germain (2pm)
Arsenal v New York Red Bulls (4.20pm)
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/emirates-cup-2011-line-up-is-confirmed
