FC Bayern Munich has established a base camp in Orlando in preparation for the much-anticipated Club World Cup this summer. CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen made the announcement of this strategic choice, stressing that the site is perfect for the squad because they have three East Coast group matches planned. It’s uncertain if all players will join right away when the German football powerhouses fly to Florida on June 10—some may be busy with national team duties—but Dreesen acknowledged that this is still up in the air. On June 15, Bayern will play Auckland City in their first group match in Cincinnati to begin their campaign.

Despite the significant physical demands it sets on the players, Dreesen emphasized that the first World Club competition held in the USA is an exciting sports challenge. “The squad is eager; we don’t just want to participate, we aim to win and make it as far as possible,” said Dreesen. “This is not a pleasure trip, but a true challenge,” he continued. In their group stage games, Bayern will play Auckland as well as the Boca Juniors of Argentina and Benfica Lisbon, the best team in Portugal.

For Bayern, competing in the Club World Cup also has financial benefits. The club will earn $30 million (about €27.8 million) from the participation fee alone, according to Dreesen, plus an extra incentive for being a top European team. With the overall victor expected to get over $100 million, even more rewards could be in store if they succeed athletically. For the inaugural Club World Cup, FIFA has set aside an incredible $1 billion, in addition to €250 million for a solidarity fund for teams who will not be competing.

“This is mostly a sporting task for us. For FC Bayern, participation is also commercially enticing, and it becomes more so the deeper we progress in the tournament,” Dreesen said, adding, “If financial gain were the only motivation for competing, we wouldn’t engage.”