Opening match in Rapid’s new home vs. Chelsea FC
As had been previously confirmed in a press event at the rapidly developing Allianz Stadium building site, the official opening match in Rapid's new home will take place on the 16th of July. We are delighted to announce that the opponents on this momentous occasion will be none other than five-time English champions Chelsea FC! The provisional kick off time has been set for 18.00, with the day's festivities scheduled to begin two hours before the game gets underway.
The 'Blues' currently occupy 5th place in the overall UEFA club rankings, with only Spanish heavyweights FC Barcelona, Real and Atletico Madrid, as well Bayern Munich - whom Chelsea beat in the Allianz Arena to lift the Champions League trophy four years ago - ranked above the Blues. The club from the world famous Stamford Bridge stadium have a rich history of success: since being grounded in 1905 they are one of only a handful of clubs to have lifted three different European trophies (the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1971 & 1998 and the UEFA Europa League in 2013 in addition to the aforementioned Champions league triumph) – a feat matched only by Ajax, Juventus and Bayern Munich. In the past two decades the London side have collected an impressive 21 domestic and international titles (Champions League 2012, Europa League 2013, the Cup Winners’ Cup 1998, the UEFA Super Cup 1998, The English top division title 2005, 2006, 2010, 2015, the FA Cup 1997, 200, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2015, the English League Cup 1998, 2005, 2007, 2015 and the FA Community Shield (English Super Cup) in 2000 and 2005).
Since the arrival at the club of Russian Billionaire Roman Abramovich, the club has gone from strength to strength, boasting an eye watering array of talent assembled from across the globe. In the coming season current Italy and former Juventus coach Antonio Conte will take over the Stamford Bridge hot seat. Rapid and Chelsea are yet to cross swords in a competitive fixture, with the only meeting between the two clubs coming in a 1964 friendly match in the Prater stadium; a game that finished in a 2:1 victory for the Londoners.
Tickets for this watershed occasion go on pre-sale to season ticket holders on May 20th (until May 29th), with club members then enjoying an exclusive purchase period between May 30th and June 4th. Tickets go on general sale on June 6th for what we promise will be a very attractive price.