Heineken is making it easier than ever for U.S. fans to experience the passion of the UEFA Champions League (UCL), by offering a rare chance to get close with the ultimate prize through the UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour Presented by Heineken. The tour kicked off in New York City, continuing to Dallas on April 17 & 18, and ending in Los Angeles on April 21 & 22. Fans 21 and over have the opportunity to get up close and personal with one of the world’s most celebrated trophies, view an interactive UCL exhibit featuring legendary game-worn gear, and have a Heineken alongside some of the tournament’s biggest stars.

The UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour Presented by Heineken is a continuation of the momentum which kicked off in February, as part of Heineken’s launch of the #ChampionTheMatch campaign.
2005 UCL trophy winner Jerzy Dudek, along with Brazil’s Rivaldo, and former FC Barcelona player and current NYCFC captain David Villa attended a VIP reception in New York to welcome the trophy stateside. The players  also took part  in a #ChampionTheMatch live Twitter chat during a crucial Champions League match between FC Barcelona and Manchester City FC.

Nuno Teles, CMO at Heineken USA with Hans Erik Tuijt, Heineken Global Activation Director

“We’re massive fans of soccer in the U.S., and because of timing, we understand how tough it can be to experience the excitement of the UCL in real-time,” said Ralph Rijks, Vice President of Heineken USA. “Whether it’s through the UCL trophy tour, live Twitter chats with legends, or an additional surprise we’ll have along the way, the ‘Champion The Match’ campaign is finally offering U.S. fans unparalleled access to the sport they love, all tournament long.”

Rivaldo

NYCFC Captain David Villa

Jerzy Dudek

#CHAMPIONTHEMATCH ELEVATES MATCH DAY:
#ChampionTheMatch is a live Twitter engagement which gives fans the opportunity to interact with former soccer legends live during major Champions League games. Throughout the UCL season, UCL champions such as David Villa, Ruud Gullit, Patrick Kluivert and others will take over the @HeinekenSoccer Twitter handle and engage with fans using the hashtag #ChampionTheMatch.

HOMBRE Magazine’s Francisco Romeo attends New York’s Event

THE HARDWARE HITS THE ROAD:
The UCL Trophy Tour will cover three stops in U.S. cities before it returns to Europe for its final journey towards Berlin’s Olympia Stadium for the UEFA Champions League Final on June 6. Full campaign stops include:

Rivaldo, David Villa and Jerzy Dudek

New York City:
March 18 – 19  at Skylight Modern
With special guests David Villa, Jerzy Dudek and Rivaldo

Villa is a Spanish striker who won the UEFA Champions League in 2011 with Barcelona, and is a former World Cup winner with the Spanish national team. He currently plays for Major League Soccer’s NYCFC

Dudek is a former goalkeeper from Poland who won the 2005 UEFA Champions League with Liverpool and whose double save against AC Milan in the 2005 UCL Final is considered one of the greatest moments in soccer history.

Rivaldo Vítor Borba Ferreira, known as Rivaldo spent five years with FC Barcelona, and won the 1998 and 1999 Spanish La Liga championship and the 1998 Copa del Rey. He won the UEFA Champions trophy in 2003 with Milan. Rivaldo helped Brazil reach the final of the 1998 FIFA World Cup, and starred in the 2002 FIFA World Cup winning team. In 1999 he won the Ballon d’Or and was named FIFA World Player of the Year.

Dallas:
April 17–18 at Klyde Warren Park
With special guests Patrick Kluivert and Eric Abidal

Kluivert is a Dutch soccer star who played for numerous top-level teams during his career, including FC Barcelona,Milan, and Ajax. Kluivert famously scored an 85th minute goal for Ajax to win the 1995 UCL Final.

Abidal is a French defender who has won two UCL Champions League trophies with FC Barcelona in 2009 and 2011

Los Angeles:
April 21 – 22 at Siren Studios – The Cube

With special guests Fernando Morientes and Michel Salgado

Morientes is a Spanish striker and three-time UCL champion, winning the tournament with Real Madrid in 1998, 2000 and 2002.

Salgado is a Spanish left back who played a decade with Real Madrid and took home the UCL trophy twice, in 2000 and 2002.

Model and current Miss Honduras Sirey Moran discovers the UEFA Champions League traveling memorabilia

For the most up to date information on all things soccer, through the lens of Heineken, visit Heineken  USA’s  dedicated soccer website, www.heineken.com/Soccer, follow @HeinekenSoccer on Twitter, visit www.facebook.com/Heineken; or visit Heineken USA’s YouTube page at www.youtube.com/HeinekenUSA.

David Villa with Francisco Romeo

NYCFC President Tom Glick, CMO at Heineken USA Nuno Teles and MLS’s President of Soccer United Marketing Kathy Carter