Int'l Champions Cup Draws Big Crowds In Charlotte, Santa Clara

The city of Charlotte once again "proved it can host world-class soccer events with aplomb," as a crowd of 61,224 was on hand for yesterday's Int'l Champions Cup match between EPL club Chelsea and Ligue 1 club Paris St. Germain. It was the second soccer event at the stadium this month, following the July 15 CONCACAF Gold Cup doubleheader. Yesterday's match "drew far more actual fans in actual seats than your run-of-the-mill" Panthers preseason game (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 7/26).

Meanwhile, Levi's Stadium drew a crowd of 68,416 for an ICC match between EPL club Manchester United and La Liga side FC Barcelona. The stands were "a healthy mix" of United and Barcelona supporters, "along with thousands of fans sporting Earthquakes or U.S. national team jerseys" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 7/26).