Chelsea FC and Wrexham AFC, two soccer clubs based in England and Wales, respectively, will play a friendly match in Kenan Stadium on Wednesday, July 19 as part of the 2023 FC Series. The FC Series is an international soccer exhibition founded by Orlando-based Florida Citrus Sports, and July’s match will be hosted by the company and Unified Events.

The match had been rumored to be happening since a February report from The Mirror first publicized the news, but Thursday morning’s announcement served as official confirmation from UNC.

According to a release from the school, the match will mark the first international soccer competition held at Kenan Stadium. Group and single-match presale information is available at FCSeries.com. Public tickets will go on sale on Thursday, April 27 and will benefit the Pediatric Hematology Oncology Clinic at UNC Children’s Hospital. Broadcast information and kickoff time have yet to be announced.

“We are excited to bring Chelsea and Wrexham to Chapel Hill for this fun and historic event,” said UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham. “We look forward to welcoming fans from all over the world, filling Kenan Stadium and creating a fantastic atmosphere for international competition.”

Chelsea FC is one of the most historic clubs in English soccer, having won two UEFA Champions League titles and five Premier League — the top league in English soccer — titles. “The Blues” are one of the only English clubs to have never been relegated from top-flight competition. Chelsea are based in London and play at Stamford Bridge, which was built in 1877 — 50 years prior to Kenan Stadium.

“We are delighted to return to North Carolina as part of our U.S. tour this summer, and play in what I’m sure will be a fantastic atmosphere at Kenan Stadium,” said Chelsea president of business Tom Glick. “Our strong U.S. fanbase support us incredibly all year round and we are looking forward to meeting them in Chapel Hill.”

Wrexham AFC, based in northeastern Wales, are one of the oldest soccer clubs in the world, having been founded in 1864. The “Red Dragons” compete in the National League, which is the fifth-highest league in the British soccer tier system, though Wrexham is currently leading the league standings and well-positioned for promotion to League Two, the fourth-highest league. Wrexham is owned by actors Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds and is the subject of a popular docuseries on FX and Hulu, “Welcome to Wrexham.”

“Our tour of the United States will be an exciting part of the summer’s build-up to the new season,” said Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson. “To have the opportunity to play a team of Chelsea’s caliber at the Kenan Stadium will be a terrific test for our players.”

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