Chelsea will take on Celtic at Notre Dame Stadium in Indiana this summer – and Blues legend Roberto Di Matteo does not expect either club to approach the fixture as a pre-season friendly.
The fixture will take place on Saturday 27 July and the third to be confirmed as part of our summer tour of the USA, for which more information can be found here.
Di Matteo, who lifted six trophies as a player at Chelsea and guided the Blues to Champions League and FA Cup glory as head coach, was on hand in Indiana this afternoon for the announcement of the game.
And the Italian does not expect the encounter at Notre Dame Stadium to resemble a pre-season friendly.
He said: ‘The word friendly… these games aren’t friendly anymore! They are now really competitive because when two big clubs play against each other, there is a lot of prestige and nobody wants to lose.
'So it will be very competitive and intense, and that is something that has changed over the years.
‘But the stronger the opposition, the more realistic the game can be because when you play in the Premier League every game is very tough and the opposition is very strong.
'Celtic are a top European club and have a strong team, so it will be a very challenging encounter. I think the atmosphere will be amazing, I saw the stadium today and it looks brilliant.
‘It’s a good opportunity for the Chelsea fans in the USA to go and watch their team. Not everybody has the opportunity to London to watch the team live so this is a chance to watch them live and see their favourite players.'
Confirmed dates for Chelsea’s USA Tour 2024
Chelsea vs Wrexham - Wednesday 24 July at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California – click for tickets (Use code CFCSUPto unlock sections 101-105 - Chelsea supporter section) or Club Chelsea hospitality packages
Chelsea vs Celtic - Saturday 27 July at Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, Indiana – Sign up for exclusive pre-sale access beginning Monday 25 March or buy Club Chelsea hospitality packages now
Chelsea vs Club America - Wednesday 31 July at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia – click for tickets or Club Chelsea hospitality packages
The Notre Dame Stadium is one of the most iconic stadiums for college football in the USA and Club Chelsea hospitality packages, offering a VIP matchday experience and unparalleled access to the Blues players, are already on sale for this game and the other two so far announced.
General admission tickets for Chelsea vs Celtic will go on sale on Wednesday 27 March but Chelsea fans will be able to take advantage of a pre-sale from next Monday, 25 March at 2pm GMT.
If you register your interest, you will be one of the first fans to discover information on pre-sale access to tickets, and on further opponents, game locations and dates when more matches are added. There will also be news on official Club Chelsea hospitality packages, and exciting events on the ground across the country this summer!
All fans signed up to the mailing list will be entered into a prize draw* to win:
A jersey signed by the squad
2 x Club Chelsea hospitality packages for the 2024 USA tour game of your choice
A VIP player meet & greet during the tour