• Audi returns as major presenting partner of  the International Champion's Cup Australia in 2016
• International star clubs Tottenham Hotspur and Juventus FC named along with reigning A-League Champions Melbourne Victory
• Third international club to be named next year

Friday, December 18, 2015 – Audi Australia will help bring global football powerhouses, Tottenham Hotspur and Italy's Juventus Football Club to Melbourne next year as presenting partner of the second International Champions Cup Australia (ICC Australia).

Joining the lineup will also be defending A-League Champions, Melbourne Victory, with a third European team to be announced early next year.  

The event marks the second year Audi has presented the ICC Australia, enabling the local football fans the opportunity to witness some of the world's best athletes from European competitions.

"Globally Audi has established partnerships with some of Europe's most successful football teams. The opportunity to present such a high profile and prestigious event at the iconic MCG is the ideal way for our brand to bring our global partnership with the world game directly into the Australian market, in an innovative format," said Audi Australia's Managing Director, Andrew Doyle.

Following the overwhelming success of the tournament's debut in July, whereby 221,000 fans flocked to the MCG to see Real Madrid, Manchester City and AS Roma do battle.

As presenting partner, Audi is again preparing an innovative engagement plan, to wow local fans in true Audi style.

"Football is a sport that generates huge passion in Australia, particularly amongst a number of Audi's key target audiences. As an automotive innovator, it's important that Audi partners with the most innovative people and events, and this is a rare opportunity to play a leading role in bringing the world's finest football talent to Australians," Mr Doyle said.

Tournament organisers responded to fan feedback requesting a local team to feature alongside Europe's best.

Promoters TLA Worldwide and TEG, said the tournament would continue to add to Melbourne's impressive portfolio of major sporting events.

"In its first showing, the tournament proved itself to be a must-attend event for fans, and an attractive option for overseas teams to visit," TLA Chairman, Bart Campbell said.

"Backing from the government bolsters our ability to host a world-class sporting spectacle and we're again looking to set a new precedent in 2016."

Both Juventus and Tottenham Hotspur are amongst the Forbes Top 20 Most Valuable Soccer Teams for 2015 ranked in ninth and 13th position respectively with a combined wealth of over $1.4 billion.

In addition, Juventus boasts two of the International Business Times Top 50 Footballers in the World for The 2015-16 Season with Frenchman Paul Pogba at number eight, and Italian Gianluigi Buffon number 25.

Audi will also continue its association with the event for a second consecutive year after being named presenting partner of the tournament.

Match details for the 2016 International Champion Cup Australia, presented by Audi:

Match 1: Melbourne Victory FC vs Juventus Football Club
Saturday 23 July, 2016, 7:00pm
Melbourne Cricket Ground

Match 2: Tottenham Hotspur F.C. v Juventus Football Club
Tuesday 26 July, 2016, 8:00pm
Melbourne Cricket Ground

Match 3: TBC v Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Friday 29 July, 2016, 8:00pm
Melbourne Cricket Ground

Key statistics from the 2015 International Champions Cup Australia, presented by Audi:

• The three match series attracted over 221,000 sporting fans to the MCG with the climax being Match 3 of the tournament between Manchester City FC and Real Madrid CF attracting a record football crowd to the stadium of 99,382 people. This was the fourth largest crowd at a sporting event in MCG modern era

• Tournament organisers estimate an economic benefit to Victoria of $96.2 million. This is based on attendance of 200,000+ fans across the three matches

• Over 55% of ticket sales were generated from attendees that travelled to Melbourne from interstate or overseas

• The event generated 300 jobs locally

• Vision of Melbourne during the International Champions Cup was broadcast to over 200 countries globally

Global background of the International Champions Cup (ICC):

• The tournament is owned by RSE Ventures and developed globally by RSE subsidiaries Relevent Sports and Catalyst Media Group

• ICC consistently features the top football clubs in the World, with iconic Audi sponsored Real Madrid CF being the most prominently featured, playing 10 ICC matches to date

• In 2015, there were 23 ICC matches globally across seven countries, played in front of total of one million adoring fans at venues in cities such as Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, London, Shanghai and of course, Melbourne.

• 113 million viewers (average audience) tuned into ICC 2015 matches and the highest rating single match, Real Madrid CF v AC Milan drew over 15 million viewers

– End –

The Audi Group delivered approximately 1,741,100 cars of the Audi brand to customers in 2014. As one of the most successful models, the Audi A3 has been awarded the title of "World Car of the Year 2014" by an international jury of journalists (combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 8,3 – 3.2; combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 194 – 35). In 2013, the company reported revenue of €49.9 billion and an operating profit of €5.03 billion. The company operates globally in more than 100 markets and has production facilities in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm (Germany), Gyor (Hungary), Brussels (Belgium), Bratislava (Slovakia), Martorell (Spain), Kaluga (Russia), Aurangabad (India), Changchun (China) and Jakarta (Indonesia). Since the end of 2013, the brand with the Four Rings has also been producing cars in Foshan (China). As of mid-2015, Audi will operate a production facility in São José dos Pinhais (Brazil), followed by San José Chiapa (Mexico) in 2016. Wholly owned subsidiaries of AUDI AG include quattro GmbH (Neckarsulm), Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. (Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy) and Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. (Bologna, Italy), the sports motorcycle manufacturer. The company currently employs approximately 80,000 people worldwide, thereof approximately 55,800 in Germany. Total investment of around €24 billion is planned from 2015 to 2019 – primarily in new products and sustainable technologies. Audi is committed to its corporate responsibility and has anchored the principle of sustainability for its products and processes in its strategy. The long-term goal is CO2-neutral mobility.