Orlando City To Host English Premier League Giants Arsenal This July

Orlando City Soccer Club have announced that the club will host a friendly match against English Premier League giants Arsenal on Wednesday, July 20 at Orlando's Exploria Stadium.

This match will be the first meeting between these two sides.

The match is part of the “FC Series,” which is a national expansion of the long-running Florida Cup.

Orlando City President of Business Operations Jarrod Dillon said in a club press release

“We’re excited to be able to provide our fans and the greater Orlando soccer community the opportunity to experience one of the world’s most iconic clubs, Arsenal FC, right here in the best soccer venue in America, Exploria Stadium,”

He went on to say “Not only will the friendly be a phenomenal experience for our fans, but we are excited to see our Lions take the field against a top international opponent. This is going to be a match that no one will want to miss

“This game is a unique opportunity for us to host one of Europe’s most recognized teams at Exploria Stadium,”

Orlando City Executive Vice President of Soccer Operations and General Manager Luiz Muzzi said in the club’s release. “This is a great way for our players to get high-level gameplay and for our fans to see us match up with a very exciting Premier League opponent. We’re looking forward to it.”

Arsenal are easily one of England’s most recognizable clubs, the have won an impressive 14 FA Cups, two League Cups, 16 Community Shields, a European Cup Winners’ Cup, and 13 combined EFL and EPL championships.

Following the match Arsenal will meet fellow English premier league club Chelsea in a stateside London Derby on July 23 at Camping World Stadium as part of the Florida Cup.

Match tickets go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, May 3, at 10 a.m. via OrlandoCitySC.com/tickets.