Shortly after the SoFi Stadium first opened in the summer of 2020, Real Madrid were set to take on Barcelona in a soccer match to help christen the $5 billion venue. But that match was canceled even before it was announced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Two years later, MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX step in to bring football to SoFi for the first time, with the Galaxy meeting Chivas de Guadalajara and LAFC taking on Club América in August. The leagues were to officially announce the games jointly for New York and Mexico City on Thursday morning.
“There is a great history of great football games being played in the United States and Los Angeles, dating back to the 1994 World Cup, the 1999 Women’s World Cup and all the big games the Galaxy have played in “Galaxy President Chris Klein said in a statement. “So to have the opportunity to play against a legendary franchise in Liga MX is an honor that we look forward to.”
LAFC co-chairman Larry Freedman, who is working with Klein to bring the 2026 World Cup games to Los Angeles, echoed those sentiments.
“Los Angeles is once again showing why it is one of the best sports cities in the world, and it is an honor for our club to have the opportunity to compete in this showcase,” he said. he declares.
The clubs are four of the most popular in North America and the August 3 doubleheader is billed as a prelude to the Leagues Cup, an annual tournament featuring all 47 MLS and Liga MX teams. This competition will begin in the summer of 2023.
Although the Galaxy shared a stadium with Chivas USA, the MLS cousin of the Liga MX club, the Galaxy have not played against the Guadalajara side for 15 years. Previous encounters were in the 1997 CONCACAF Champions Cup in Chicago, a 1999 friendly at the Rose Bowl and the 2007 Superliga at the LA Coliseum. The Galaxy won the first two meetings, Chivas the last.
Chivas, Mexico’s second most popular team, is also the club that debuted Galaxy captain Javier “Chicharito” Hernández. Hernández’s grandfather also played for the team while his father was both a player and a coach for Chivas.
LAFC’s only game with Club América – Mexico’s most popular team – was in the 2020 CONCACAF Champions League semi-finals, in an empty stadium in Orlando. LAFC won that game 3-1 behind two goals from Carlos Vela. Club América, with 13 titles, in the most successful team in the history of Liga MX.
Galaxy and LAFC season ticket holders will have the opportunity to purchase tickets via presale. The public sale will begin April 21 at 10 a.m. PT via Ticketmaster.
“I am very happy that Chivas is playing in this magnificent stadium. In Los Angeles, you feel at home; it’s a rojiblanca city, and the team can meet their fans in the home of the NFL champions,” said Chivas President Amaury Vergara. “It’s a big stadium, with a big rival and the best fans. What more could you ask for? I’m sure it will be a party.