LANSING, Mich. – Lansing Ignite FC announced on Friday that the club will participate in an annual competition with Michigan State University called the Capital Cup.

The inaugural Capital Cup between the League One club and the Spartans is scheduled for April 16 at Cooley Law School Stadium with kickoff set for 7 p.m. ET.

“We are thrilled to be playing Michigan State for the next three years and potentially beyond at Cooley Law School Stadium,” said Lansing Vice President and General Manager Jeremy Sampson. “There is no better way to celebrate soccer in this community than a match between the only professional team in Michigan and one of the best collegiate programs in the country year in and year out.”

Michigan State’s men’s soccer team is led by Head Coach Damon Rensing and is coming off one of its best seasons in program history, finishing the year with a 14-5-4 overall record while reaching the 2018 College Cup. The Spartans have produced numerous talented players now playing professionally in the United States and around the world, including Fatai Alashe, Jay Chapman and Ken Krolicki.

“MSU soccer is really excited to start a great relationship with Lansing Ignite, and I can’t think of a better way than the Capital Cup at Cooley Law School Stadium,” Rensing said. “The greater Lansing area has a very strong soccer community and the combination of MSU soccer and the Ignite will serve that community almost year-round. I have seen the success of the Crosstown Showdown with our baseball team and the Lugnuts and hope that the Capital Cup will have a similar atmosphere. It should be a great game.”