When it was decided that the Raiders would move from Oakland to Las Vegas in time for the 2020 NFL season, Nevada’s adult-themed city had grand plans. It was not just about Vegas getting an NFL team and one of the most recognizable sports entities in the world, it was about more than that.
Allegiant Stadium, the soon-to-be new home of the Raiders, is being built mere minutes from the strip and is expected to host huge sports matchups, among other entertainment events.
That could soon come to fruition with European soccer powers Barcelona and Real Madrid opening up the stadium this coming summer. According to Vincent Bonsignore and Myles Simmons of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the two are nearing an agreement to face one another during the International Champions Cup at Allegiant.
“And if a deal can be finalized, a match between soccer giants Barcelona and Real Madrid could be the first sporting event at Allegiant Stadium in early August,” the report read.
This would be an absolutely huge draw and bring in fans from throughout the United States as well as across the pond. Imagine the optics. The world’s biggest sport and two of the best-known clubs facing off in a summer-time battle in Las Vegas to open up this venue.
Who wouldn’t be down for that?