PUNE: Blackburn Rovers fans will get the opportunity to watch their team in action on Indian soil when the English Premier League side arrive on July 21. They are slated to play an exhibition match in the city.

Pune-based Venky's, the owners of Blackburn Rovers, have finalised a match with city-based I-League team Pune FC at the Shiv Chhatrapati sports complex, Balewadi, on July 22. The 90-minute encounter will kick-off at 6.30 pm under floodlights. Blackburn will be the first EPL team to play in India.

Balaji Rao, whole time director at Venky's, told TOI, "The match will start with a brief introduction of the team players. We are glad that it's a Pune team that we could line up. There'll be plenty of excitement."

Rao said that around 1,000 complimentary tickets will be given away and another 4,000 free tickets will be distributed to schools. Around 10,000 tickets would be up for sale. The ticket rates are yet to be finalised.

Rao also said that the under-16 tournament, which is in its inaugural year and conducted across four cities before it culminates into the final at Pune, will be taken to 20 cities from next year.