The Lega Calcio, the governing body of Italian professional football leagues, signed a deal with Beijing Football Association on Feb.16 to have the 2009 Italian Super Cup played at China’s National Stadium, or Bird’s Nest, in Beijing on August 8. 

The Italian Super Cup, or Supercoppa Italiana, is a season-opening match between the winners of the Serie A and the Coppa Italia in the previous season. The Cup match has been played three times outside of the country: Washington in 1993, Tripoli in 2002 and New York in 2003.

The CITIC Group consortium, the company that was granted 30-year chartered management right to the National stadium, told media last month that they will develop the Bird’s Nest into an entertainment and shopping center in three to five years and, in the mean time, seek out opportunities to hold more sports games.

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