International Champions Cup: Melbourne tie up three year hosting right

Melbourne will continue to play host to the Australian edition of the International Champions Cup (ICC) pre-season football tournament after landing a new three-year contract extension.

The deal, to be announced by Victoria’s Labor government on Sunday, is expected to pour more than A$150 million into the Victorian economy and bring more of Europe’s best soccer teams to town.

It comes after 99,832 spectators watched Real Madrid beat Manchester 4-1 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the finale of the inaugural event on Friday.

AS Roma, Real Madrid and Manchester City featured in the first ICC games in the Australian city this month.