A soccer game between Chelsea FC and Wrexham AFC will be played in Chapel Hill next week, and an influx of 50,000 visitors has local businesses preparing for a level of tourism that is rare in the month of July.
The soccer clubs will play at UNC鈥檚 Kenan Stadium as part of the 2023 FC Series, an international soccer exhibition. It will also be the venue鈥檚 first international soccer competition.
鈥淲hile the surge in vehicle traffic will certainly cause some delays, the substantial foot traffic presents a remarkable opportunity for our local businesses to showcase local products and services to a diverse audience,鈥� said the president and CEO Aaron Nelson, in an email to members.
Laurie Paolicelli, executive director of the , said the event is also expected to bring $1.1 million into Orange County. This is an estimate of money spent on lodging, airfare, parking, transportation, tickets, and dining.
鈥淭ickets sold out quickly, and hotels sold out quickly,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd there'll definitely be an economic infusion in Chapel Hill and Carrboro that we have not seen before in July.鈥�
Paolicelli said visitors are expected to travel from all 50 states and internationally to watch the teams compete.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 think we鈥檝e ever had an audience this large in Kenan (Stadium) in July, especially. And it鈥檚 not a Tar Heel event,鈥� Paolicelli said.
Chelsea and Wrexham will face off on Wednesday, July 19 at 7:30 p.m.
