COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A soccer exhibition game between two European giants will come to Columbus in August.

In February, multiple reports indicated that English Premier League clubs Manchester City and Chelsea would play at Ohio Stadium. Now, it is official with the two teams squaring off on August 3. Tickets will be available starting on March 27 at 10 a.m. on Ticketmaster.

The game would be part of a two-week U.S. summer tour before the 2024-25 EPL season kicks off Aug. 17.

In a press conference held Tuesday to announce the matchup, former Man City midfielder Shaun Wright-Phillips and former Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo discussed the unique atmosphere Ohio Stadium will offer this summer.

“To imagine what it’s going to be like with the fans. The atmosphere. Two of possibly biggest clubs in England and at the minute one of the most talked about,” Wright-Phillips said. “And after the two games they’ve had in the Premier League this year, it’s setting up to be a fantastic atmosphere for a game.”

Di Matteo led Chelsea to a Champions League title in 2012 and recognized how Columbus is a growing market when it comes to soccer on a global stage, especially in a country that is set to host the FIFA World Cup in 2026.

“Columbus is obviously doing really well. [The Crew] won it last season. Starting the season again really well. I think the potential is there,” Di Matteo said. “The expectation for this game in August is to sell over 80,000 tickets and you’re going to have some of the world best soccer players on the field here.”

Manchester City is considered the team to beat in Europe after completing a historic treble of trophies in the 2022-23 season. The Citizens won their third straight EPL title last year, along with their first Champions League and English FA Cup. Man City is in contention to win all three trophies again this year.

In London, Chelsea has established itself as one of the biggest sports teams in the world. After winning the 2021 Champions League over Man City, the Blues have fallen on difficult times by not yielding good results despite spending more than $1 billion on players. They sit 11th in the EPL standings and are hoping to win one trophy this season.

Man City and Chelsea have been intertwined in some major games, including a 4-4 tie in November, and they’re scheduled to play again in April. The teams will face each other in an FA Cup semifinal at Wembley Stadium in London.

Ohio Stadium, home of the Crew from 1996 to ’99, was the site for the highest-attended soccer game in Ohio when more than 85,000 fans saw Real Madrid play Paris Saint-Germain in the 2016 International Champions Cup. After eight Ohio State football games in 2024, the Horseshoe will host its first outdoor hockey game when the Columbus Blue Jackets play the Detroit Red Wings on March 1.

Outgoing OSU athletics director Gene Smith expects this summer’s game will blow the Horseshoe’s old attendance record for a soccer match ‘out of the water’.

“You’re going to have people coming in from different parts of the world to see these programs compete,” Smith said. “But for the university and the city, the economic impact is going to be huge. All the restaurants, hotels, Uber and Lyft drivers and convenience stores will benefit from the activity of that particular day. And just to have a chance to continue to show off the iconic shoe in a different way.”

Columbus will have a busy summer of soccer with the Crew’s home, Lower.com Field, set to host MLS All-Star week. The Skills Challenge will take place on July 23, with the MLS All-Stars facing the Liga MX All-Stars of Mexico on July 24. Three days later, the Crew will play EPL club Aston Villa in an exhibition.