Borussia Dortmund are taking part in the International Champions Cup − a tournament series that pits the best European clubs against each other during pre-season − for the third time. The matches are played in Asia and America, with BVB set to face Manchester City in their opening game in Chicago on Friday evening (20:05 local time).

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Billionaire Stephen M. Ross, who owns the NFL team Miami Dolphins, came up with the idea for the tournament series in 2013. Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, who are the Bundesliga's only representatives to date, first took part in 2016.

That year saw BVB record a 4-1 victory over Manchester United before losing 6-5 to Manchester City on penalties following a 1-1 draw. In 2017, meanwhile, the Black & Yellows beat AC Milan 3-1.

In the words of Hans-Joachim Watzke, the repeated invitations to the ICC are "an honour that we're absolutely delighted about. Becoming an increasingly regular fixture in this tournament series, which involves the most well-known and successful football clubs in the world, underscores the high regard in which Borussia Dortmund is held".

The format
Eighteen clubs take part. Each one plays three matches and based on the results a final table is formed. Each game lasts 2 x 45 minutes. The winner receives three points. If no winner emerges after 90 minutes, a penalty shootout will follow. In that case, the winner receives two points and the losing side one. Each coach may carry out a maximum of 12 substitutions per match, though they must be made in one of the three substitution periods.

The fixtures
21/07 (03:05 CET) Manchester City Vs. BVB (Chicago)
22/07 (22:05 CET) Liverpool Vs. BVB (Charlotte)
26/07 (02:05 CET) Benfica Vs. BVB (Pittsburgh)

Television
SPORT1 will be broadcasting delayed coverage of the Manchester City match at 13:30 CET on Saturday, while the game against Liverpool can be watched live from 22:00 CET on Sunday. (br)