EL PASO, Texas – El Paso Locomotive FC announced on Tuesday it will host Liga MX side and cross-border rival FC Juárez in an international exhibition at Southwest University Park on Wednesday, March 20. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. MT.

The contest will mark the first visit of FC Juarez to Southwest University Park during Locomotive FC’s regular season campaign in the USL Championship. Previously, the two sides had squared off in closed-door preseason contests, with this meeting another step toward growing the competitive rivalry and strengthening the partnership between the two sister clubs.

“We are ecstatic that these two teams will play each other in Southwest University Park,” said Locomotive FC General Manager Andrew Forrest. “These are the two premier professional soccer teams in the Southwest region, and this will be the first time in history that we play a match in front of both fanbases. We look forward to the inaugural game on March 20th and for this event to become an annual tradition.”

"This collaborative effort with El Paso Locomotive significantly contributes to FC Juárez 's continued growth in El Paso,” added FC Juárez President Luis Rodriguez. “This exciting friendly not only showcases the talent of both teams but also reinforces the enduring partnership between our clubs and cities as we look to continue to develop talent, on and off the field, in the region. El Paso is also a home market for FC Juárez and is a strategic pillar in our long-term growth plan."

Founded in 2015, FC Juárez currently competes in Liga MX – the top division in Mexico and the most competitive league in the Concacaf region. Led by Head Coach Diego Mejía, the side is set to kick off the 2024 Liga MX Clausura this Sunday afternoon as it visits Pumas UNAM in Mexico City.