Charlotte to host high profile soccer match

CHARLOTTE — The Guinness International Champions Cup announced Tuesday morning that Charlotte will host a match for the 2014 preseason tournament.

Although the matchups have not been officially announced, multiple reports speculate Liverpool and Manchester City will play in the Queen City. However, Channel 9 has not been able to confirm this information.

Other cities hosting matchups include Phoenix, Denver, Washington D.C., Dallas, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Chicago and New York/New Jersey. Miami's Sun Life Stadium will host the finals.

The last international soccer match played in Charlotte was Mexico versus Iceland in 2010. Just over 65,000 fans attended at Bank of America Stadium.

Tournament organizers will be able to use the stadium rent-free as part of a deal between Charlotte City Council and the Carolina Panthers. In exchange for $87.5 million from the city for stadium renovations, the Panthers agreed to provide four rent-free dates a year for 10 years.

WSOC