Joan Gamper Trophy to be Aug. 7; Barcelona will play Chapecoense

Chapecoense's participation in the Copa Libertadores is over, but supporters of the Verdao can circle their calendars.

On Thursday, Barcelona confirmed that the 52nd edition of the Joan Gamper Trophy will be held at the Camp Nou on Aug. 7. Chapecoense, the Brazilian club involved in a tragic plane crash, is the invitee for the game, which serves as the Blaugrana's official unveiling of the team each season.

In a statement, Barcelona said: "Barca previously announced its invitation to Chapecoense for this year's Gamper to help pay tribute to the 71 people who died in the accident on November 28th, 2016, as well as their families. Barca hopes to help Chapecoense rebuild institutionally and recover the competitive level it had before the tragedy."

Among the 71 killed in the air disaster were 19 members of Chapecoense and 20 journalists joining the Verdao for the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final, in which the Brazilian club was supposed to play Atletico Nacional.

Chapecoense is the sixth Brazilian club to partake in the Joan Gamper Trophy, following SC Internacional, Vasco da Gama, Santos Futebol Clube, Flamengo, and Botafogo FR. Barcelona's last defeat in the game came in 2012, when UC Sampdoria beat the Catalan club 1-0.