International Sporting Events Coming to Toyota Park

By Todd McClamroch in News on Jul 12, 2007 2:34PM

Toyota Park will host two international sporting events this summer. The first on Sunday, July 22 when the Chicago Fire host Scottish Premier League side Celtic FC. Celtic FC had a remarkable season last year where they went unbeaten in 31 of 34 games, leading them to a repeat as champions in the Scottish Premier League. The club has won five of the last seven championships and has racked up 41 domestic titles in their history.

Cuauhtémoc Blanco is expected to make his Chicago Fire debut during the match against Celtic FC. Blanco has been with the Mexican national team competing in the Copa America tournament. The Mexican side lost last night to Argentina and will compete in a third place match this weekend after which Blanco will be coming to Chicago. Also making his Fire debut is Juan Carlos Osorio who will manage his first game as Fire Head Coach tonight when the Fire host Houston in the MLS game of the week on ESPN2 (8pm CST).

Also coming to Toyota Park this summer is the Setanta Challenge Rugby World Cup Send-Off Match between the U.S. Men's Rugby World Cup team and the 2006 Heineken (European Cup) Champions Munster. The U.S. team, The Eagles, will play this final match before heading to France for the 2007 Rugby World Cup. The United States will compete in Pool A with England, South Africa, Samoa and Tonga and kick of the action verses the Brits on September 8.This is a unique opportunity to catch top flight Rugby here in the Chicago area. Chicagoist is looking forward to checking out the event.

Tickets for the match on Sunday, August 26 can be purchased through ticketmaster for $25-$35. A package deal is also available for $135 that includes light food, drinks and the opportunity to meet the team.