The Victorian government is believed to be on the cusp of confirming it has secured sole Australian hosting rights for the International Champions Cup for 2015.

The powerhouse English club, which is also owner of A-League team Melbourne City, is seen as an ideal team to play in the champions cup, which serves as both pre-season preparation and a major money-spinner for European clubs.

The event, held earlier this year in the US, attracted England's Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool, Spain's Real Madrid and Italy's AC Milan and Inter Milan.

Barcelona has been mooted as an additional target for next year's tournament.

Because of a clash with the EPL fixture, dates for next year's tournament have been brought forward a week from those suggested when Fairfax Media revealed plans in August for the clash of super clubs.

The MCG will host the cream of the world's teams on Saturday, July 18, Tuesday, July 21, and Friday, July 24.

The tournament means the ground will be unavailable to the AFL on those dates, as well as on Friday, July 17, but it is available to the AFL on Sunday, July 19, Saturday, July 25, and Sunday, July 26.

Last year's visit by Liverpool to the MCG, for a midweek match against A-League team Melbourne Victory, attracted 95,446 spectators.

The Victorian government is believed to have committed more than $10 million to have champions cup matches played exclusively in Melbourne.

Sydney is set to miss out due to the NSW government's reluctance to meet organisers' financial demands.

While Brisbane and Adelaide will not hold champions cup matches, they could still host a major European team next year.

It is believed the Queensland and South Australia governments have each made a multimillion-dollar offer to host an exhibition match, probably against their home A-League teams.

Liverpool is believed to rate high on the wish lists of both Queensland and SA.