Arsenal and Manchester to play in Beijing

Arsenal and Manchester City will play a match in Beijing's 'Bird's Nest' Olympic Stadium on the day London welcomes the world for this year's summer Games.

The Premier League rivals said their first teams would play a one-off match for the inaugural 'China Cup' on July 27 with 8pm local kick-off time, six-and-a-half hours before the London opening ceremony begins.

"It is...fitting that two English clubs are playing each other on the opening day of the London 2012 Olympics, in the stadium which hosted the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games," Arsenal's chief executive Ivan Gazidis said in a statement. "We enjoy huge support in Asia and by playing a match in Beijing we will once again be bringing the club close to our loyal fans in China."

The stadium hosted the Italian Super Cup between AC Milan and city rival Inter in front of more than 70,000 local fans last August.

Wang Shuyan, president of promoters Beijing Winoly International Sports Culture Co, said the match was part of the company's strategic growth plan to bring top clubs and leagues to China.

"Our focus is on elite, authentic football. Arsenal vs Manchester City will undoubtedly be the highest quality EPL match ever in China," he said.