The top two club soccer teams in the world will begin their road to a FIFA Club World Cup title in The Palm Beaches. Real Madrid and Manchester City—ranked first and second respectively in UEFA’s men’s club standings—are set to train in The Palm Beaches this summer before match play begins for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in North America. Real Madrid will utilize Gardens North County District Park in Palm Beach Gardens while Manchester City will train at Lynn University in Boca Raton. These FIFA Club World Cup Team Base Camps will bring the FIFA Club World Cup directly to The Palm Beaches. The team practices will not be open to the public.
The FIFA Club World Cup is an international tournament that brings together the top clubs from each of the six continental confederations, plus the host nation’s champion, to compete for the title of the world’s best soccer club. Real Madrid has won the competition a record five times, while Manchester City claimed the most recent championship in 2023. A Team Base Camp acts as a home away from home for teams participating in the World Cup. A Team Base Camp is a training site and accommodation pairing that will serve as the primary base for teams during the group stage, where they will train, rest and prepare for their matches.
“This is an exciting time for North America as it prepares to host two of the world’s biggest soccer events—the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” said George Linley, Executive Director of the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. “As global attention turns to the United States, Florida and The Palm Beaches will proudly serve as an unrivaled sports destination, and we’re thrilled to partner with FIFA and two of the game’s most iconic clubs, Real Madrid and Manchester City.”
The Palm Beach County Sports Commission, City of Palm Beach Gardens, and Lynn University collaborated in securing the rights to host both clubs at premier facilities in The Palm Beaches – The Gardens North County District Park and Lynn University. The North County Gardens District Park in Palm Beach Gardens has become a premier soccer destination in Palm Beach County. The 82-acre complex features 10 lighted Latitude 36 Bermuda Grass multipurpose fields built to FIFA regulations, with state-of-the-art LED lighting for optimal play. The Gardens North County District Park was a training site for numerous international teams participating in the CONCACAF Gold Cup and the CONMEBOL Copa América over the last two years in addition to five Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs in 2025. Moreover, The Gardens North County District Park served as the venue to the nation’s premier soccer tournaments and showcases.
“We’re incredibly excited and honored to welcome Manchester City to Lynn University as they prepare for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup,” said Kathy Kroupa, athletics director for Lynn University. “Hosting one of the world’s top football clubs is a tremendous opportunity for our university—not only as a premier training location but also as a chance to build meaningful relationships with world-class teams. This opportunity comes as we celebrate our men’s soccer team’s victory in the 2024 Division II NCAA National Championship, highlighting our commitment to excellence in athletics. We hope this experience serves Manchester City well and lays the foundation for future collaborations that benefit both our athletic programs and the broader Lynn community.”
Lynn University’s sports facilities include Bobby Campbell Stadium – an intimate, lighted venue designed for an exceptional spectator and athlete experience, with covered stands and seating for up to 500 fans. The stadium elevated Lynn University’s championship athletics program and paved the way for the addition of lacrosse.
Training sessions by Real Madrid and Manchester City mark a continuation of the Palm Beach County Sports Commission’s growing role in global sports tourism. In recent years, The Palm Beaches have hosted training camps for teams in both Major League Soccer (MLS) and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), as well as premier youth and amateur organizations such as U.S. Soccer, the Development Player League, and 3v3 Live.
