United States.
The Premiership champions will play AC Milan twice in what is being billed in
the USA as the "World Series of Football."
In between those two fixtures against the UEFA Champions League finalists,
Chelsea will take on the champions of Major League Soccer, DC United, from
Washington. Milan will play Chicago Fire in the four team series.
The 2005 World Series of Football kicks off with the first game against A.C.
Milan on Sunday, July 24, at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, near Boston
(ko tbc). This is the home stadium of American Football's Superbowl Champions, the New England Patriots.
Chelsea will then play DC United on July 29, at Washington D.C.'s FedEx Field at 1am UK time (28 July, 8pm EST.)
The last game of the series will see Chelsea take on Milan again, this time at
Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, near New York
on July 31 (ko tbc).
All three games will be live on Chelsea TV.
Chelsea Chief Executive Peter Kenyon said: "We are delighted to be going back to the US for pre-season. It is a perfect environment for us to begin the
preparations for next season and the defence of our Premiership title.
"I know José Mourinho and our players enjoyed themselves hugely last summer. The training facilities and stadiums are fantastic and the people are very welcoming and knowledgeable about the game. With all our matches being on the East Coast this time I am certain there will be no shortage of support for Chelsea, both from local football fans, ex-pats and those coming over from England.
"Naturally we are looking to grow our fan base in North America so this should be a great opportunity for us.
"The matches will also be a great test. I think a lot of people would have liked
to have seen us play Milan in the Champions League final, unfortunately that did not happen, but now we can see what might have happened. And our game against DC United should be fascinating as the champions of both countries come from the two capital cities, that should give the game an extra edge."