Soccer: Nelsen, Blackburn Rovers headed down under

All Whites captain Ryan Nelsen. Photo / Doug Sherring

All Whites captain Ryan Nelsen and his Blackburn Rovers side will make a rare appearance down under next month.

Sydney FC will host European soccer clubs Blackburn, Rangers and AEK Athens in a four-team tournament in July, the A-League club announced today.

Dubbed the "Sydney Festival of Football", the reigning champions plan to make the competition an annual pre-season event with the hope of attracting different overseas clubs each year.

This year's tournament will involve six matches played as three double headers, with Sydney FC to face Greek side Athens in the opener at the Sydney Football Stadium on July 25.

Matches will also be played on July 28 and 31.

The tournament's points structure will differ from the norm, with teams awarded a competition point for each goal scored, as well as three for a win and one for a draw.

Football Federation Australia chief executive Ben Buckley said the tournament would be useful in boosting Australia's bid for the 2018 or 2022 World Cup with several Fifa delegates due to be in the country during the tournament.

English Premier League side Blackburn is home of Socceroos stars Vince Grella and Brett Emerton and New Zealand captain Ryan Nelsen, while Rangers are the reigning Scottish Premier League champions.

Sydney will also face Premier League side Everton in a friendly on July 10 as part of a strong pre-season program.

- AAP