Some fun before the real fun begins

Soccer might be the perfect appetizer the night of the London Olympics' opening ceremony.

Arsenal FC and Manchester City will deliver just that at the Bird's Nest hours before the Games' opening show begins in the early morning of July 28 (Beijing time).

"Certainly, having the opportunity to play a game at the Beijing Olympic stadium on the same day when the Games opens in London is quite unique," Arsenal CEO Ivan Gazidis said last week during his visit to Beijing to promote the club's Save the Children charity campaign.