Premier League in the U.S.? FIFA weighs allowing overseas games

No thanks. As it is now, with home and away games, is just fine. No need for marketing types to find ever more irritating ways to "leverage the product."

Shove it up your backside, FIFA.

Absolutely NO. There is no way league games such as El Clásico should be played outside Barcelona or Madrid. FIFA should just supervise football, and stop getting involved with individual leagues. Specially club football.

Premier League in the U.S.? FIFA weighs allowing overseas games

Not even controversial.

There are players from overseas in the Premier League.

There are owners from overseas of Premier League teams.

When it comes to the USA, about 10 PL teams have US owners.

The Premier League has more connections with overseas countries than it does even with the UK.

Won't happen due to fan opposition, as there was with the Super League. Go ruin someone else's sport.

Curious. Wonder who the FIFA fans are.

La Liga has said it aims to play matches in North America as early as 2025.

Smart move, which the Premier League will surely follow. Why wouldn't the owner of a team made up of players from various countries want to play in the owner's home country, the USA?

FIFA has too much control of the PL. FIFA have vetoed any plans the PL and their clubs may have had to play games overseas for many years. Now they probably see $$$ to line their pockets, likely in the form of oil dollars to play a game or two in Saudi or Qatar.

If big clubs like Liverpool and Man City wish to play a one-off game in say NY - and it has the approval of the FA and other clubs - why not? It would help grow the fan base yet further. Other major sporting comps around the world play the occasional game overseas - the NBL, NBA, American Football, the Rugby codes - and the promotions seem to work well. Many fans travel for the game, and others already live there. Of course, season ticket holders should get a discount for losing one home game.

European fans who already pay high prices for European games and travel should not have to bear the additional burden of travel costs. The current number of games in a season is already impacting the players' health, especially considering they also participate in international games for their countries.

Can’t see English football fans allowing it - there will be huge opposition to it much like there was to the planned European super league - another stupid money making plan that was scuppered because fans hated the idea.

European fans who already pay high prices for European games and travel should not have to bear the additional burden of travel costs.

They don't gave to travel. They can stay home and watch on tv like other fans around the world. The Premier League only plays its games in Europe--but it's teams are primarily foreign owned.

The current number of games in a season is already impacting the players' health, especially considering they also participate in international games for their countries.

If their health is impacted then they should find another job.

Why wouldn't the owner of a team made up of players from various countries want to play in the owner's home country, the USA?

Yeah? I wonder if maybe FIFA is just trying to provoke though.

Yeah? I wonder if maybe FIFA is just trying to provoke though.

Provoke what other professional leagues already do with their teams?

It's the norm. Doesn't make sense anyone would protest against it.

zibala

European fans who already pay high prices for European games and travel should not have to bear the additional burden of travel costs.

They don't gave to travel. They can stay home and watch on tv like other fans around the world. The Premier League only plays its games in Europe--but it's teams are primarily foreign owned.

Spoken by a person without understanding the passion of the game and the fans. The clubs need the income from attending fans and shirt sales. You would know that. The owners do not have a total say over the club. The fans are a big part which is why the European Super League was refused "by the fans" not the owners.

The current number of games in a season is already impacting the players' health, especially considering they also participate in international games for their countries.

If their health is impacted then they should find another job.

Again someone with no understanding of the game.

American players play about 34 games per season. We play more than that in the Premier League (38) plus European games plus domestic trophies. Liverpool players have played 58 games this season.

No European sports league has regular games in the US regardless of the sport or league. The Premier League clubs could just withdraw from FIFA.

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/european-soccer-leagues-insist-no-150849673.html

The current number of games in a season is already impacting the players' health, especially considering they also participate in international games for their countries.

Very true. But instead of playing so many pointless friendlies post/pre-season, why not play the occasional competitive game in a foreign market? (Yes I know friendlies are not as taxing as a PL game)

Liverpool, for one, has a massive and growing following outside of England. FIFA has always denied clubs like Liverpool and Man U the chance to even examine this prospect. Fans outside England would embrace this rare opportunity.

Can’t see English football fans allowing it - there will be huge opposition to it much like there was to the planned European super league - another stupid money making plan that was scuppered because fans hated the idea

Yes, English football is primarily about English supporters - their hometown clubs. The Premier League businesspeople often need reminding of that fact.

Man U v Liverpool is played at Old Trafford or Anfield in the Premier League. The atmosphere and the rivalry in the stadiums is part of it - this is tribalism. Same for Real Madrid V Barcelona.

Playing it abroad in front of a crowd of bandwagon jumpers would cheapen it. This isn’t some empty franchise nonsense.

Supporters from other countries can watch the finest sport in the world from the finest leagues in the world on TV. If they want to pay a fortune to come to England or Spain to watch a game - knock yourself out.

Problem solved.

Traditionally Premier League games were 3 pm on Saturdays. Recent seasons have massively changed by the demands of the TV companies owning the viewing rights with the game time set according to the TV schedule. Klopp has been an outspoken opponent of that. Games in the US would have time differences of 6-9 hours.

Fans outside England would embrace this rare opportunity.

To be blunt, who cares what they would like?

To be blunt, who cares what they would like?

I'm fairly sure the clubs do! Which is why the massive ones have been examining this for a couple of decades (and been thwarted by FIFA)

A La Liga game in the States in '25 could be a blueprint, if done well.

American players play about 34 games per season. We play more than that in the Premier League (38) plus European games plus domestic trophies. Liverpool players have played 58 games this season.

NBA and NHL players have a 82 game season. In sports with much higher physical and mental intensity than soccer.

58 games is about half the season of a champion NHL or NBA team.

Yes, English football is primarily about English supporters - their hometown clubs.

The revenue mainly comes from England, not other countries?

And the teams only play in the English supporters' hometowns--the players are not from there. The teams are owned mainly by Americans.

To be blunt, who cares what they would like?

I'm fairly sure the clubs do!

You are looking at this from the wrong perspective.

The ‘clubs’, or rather the owners, have screwed over the supporters and faced a backlash. From attempting to bugger off and form a super league to jacking up ticket prices. The club you jumped on the bandwagon of saw supporters getting together and pressuring the club on ticket prices.

It’s long overdue that the supporters are listened to more.

It’s long overdue that the supporters are listened to more.

FIFA is listening to the supporters overseas.

And the teams only play in the English supporters' hometowns--the players are not from there

Honesty, sincerity and knowledge are required to have any kind of reasonable discussion on this topic.

50/1 on getting it here.

Honesty, sincerity and knowledge are required to have any kind of reasonable discussion on this topic.

Hysterical! I bet you're on the brink of tears.

150/1 you aren't red with rage.

And face the facts--you're being told by an American that the Premier League I¥will hold matches in the US, and there is not a thing you can do about it!

Hysterical! I bet you're on the brink of tears. 

150/1 you aren't red with rage.

And face the facts--you're being told by an American that the Premier League I¥will hold matches in the US, and there is not a thing you can do about it!

No American has told me this.

I’d be interested to read what Americans think of this.

zibala

And face the facts--you're being told by an American that the Premier League I¥will hold matches in the US, and there is not a thing you can do about it!

You know nothing about English football. The fans have the real power. FIFA is not the English FA.

It is not just the Premier League, the proposal is for all European football.

zibala

It’s long overdue that the supporters are listened to more.

> FIFA is listening to the supporters overseas.

FIFA is listening to no one just looking for ways to increase its coffers.

Watching games played in America would be 13-16 hours behind Japan and SE Asia. These are the largest group of European football supporters.

Ice Hockey 82 games x 60 minutes. 4,920 minutes. 6 players.

Basketball 82 games x 48 minutes. 3,936 minutes. 5 players.

Liverpool players had 58 games this season x a minimum of 90 minutes. 5,220 minutes. 11 players.

Football players play twice as many minutes as an ice hockey team in a season. Three times as many minutes as a basketball team in a season.

Football 57,420 minutes. Ice Hockey 29,520 minutes. Basketball 19,680 minutes.

I love stats and keep a playbook for my team going back decades.

NBA and NHL players have a 82 game season. In sports with much higher physical and mental intensity than soccer.

Today  11:09 am JST

Can’t see English football fans allowing it - there will be huge opposition to it much like there was to the planned European super league - another stupid money making plan that was scuppered because fans hated the idea

“ Yes, English football is primarily about English supporters - their hometown clubs. The Premier League businesspeople often need reminding of that fact. 

Man U v Liverpool is played at Old Trafford or Anfield in the Premier League. The atmosphere and the rivalry in the stadiums is part of it - this is tribalism. Same for Real Madrid V Barcelona.

Playing it abroad in front of a crowd of bandwagon jumpers would cheapen it. This isn’t some empty franchise nonsense. 

Supporters from other countries can watch the finest sport in the world from the finest leagues in the world on TV. If they want to pay a fortune to come to England or Spain to watch a game - knock yourself out. Problem solved.

..

Fans outside England would embrace this rare opportunity.

To be blunt, who cares what they would like?

..

To be blunt, who cares what they would like?

I'm fairly sure the clubs do!

You are looking at this from the wrong perspective. 

The ‘clubs’, or rather the owners, have screwed over the supporters and faced a backlash. From attempting to bugger off and form a super league to jacking up ticket prices. The club you jumped on the bandwagon of saw supporters getting together and pressuring the club on ticket prices. 

It’s long overdue that the supporters are listened to more. “

Well said, Jimizo, well said.

…

Today  01:31 pm JST

“ Ice Hockey 82 games x 60 minutes. 4,920 minutes. 6 players.

Basketball 82 games x 48 minutes. 3,936 minutes. 5 players.

Liverpool players had 58 games this season x a minimum of 90 minutes. 5,220 minutes. 11 players.

Football players play twice as many minutes as an ice hockey team in a season. Three times as many minutes as a basketball team in a season.

Football 57,420 minutes. Ice Hockey 29,520 minutes. Basketball 19,680 minutes.

… “

Heheh, you tell ‘em, Wallace.

Provoke what other professional leagues already do with their teams?

It's the norm. Doesn't make sense anyone would protest against it.

Yeah, maybe I didn't really mean FIFA are doing the provoking.

Yes, English football is primarily about English supporters - their hometown clubs. The Premier League businesspeople often need reminding of that fact.

No such thing as English football when Premier League teams are made of a majority of non-English players.

As for Premier League businesspeople, most of the owners of the teams are not English, and at least 10 of those teams are owned by Americans.

So, it is perfectly logical for an internationally diverse, US-owned team to play in the United States. There are more international supporters for a team like Liverpool compared to English supporters, and the international fans are much more affluent, so makes sense from a fan and business standpoint.

zibala

Yes, English football is primarily about English supporters - their hometown clubs. The Premier League businesspeople often need reminding of that fact.

On 17 April 1888 at the Royal Hotel, Manchester, the Football League was formally created and named. 126 years ago.

No such thing as English football when Premier League teams are made of a majority of non-English players.

When the UK was a member of the EU the law required UK football clubs to have European players. Foreign players also play for clubs in Europe. There are many foreign players in American clubs. Where players go to make their pensions.

As for Premier League businesspeople, most of the owners of the teams are not English, and at least 10 of those teams are owned by Americans.

The ownership of the clubs and the nationality of the players are irrelevant because they have always been English and will remain so. Americans are involved in the ownership of 8 clubs.

So, it is perfectly logical for an internationally diverse, US-owned team to play in the United States. There are more international supporters for a team like Liverpool compared to English supporters, and the international fans are much more affluent, so makes sense from a fan and business standpoint.

The Premier League and all the other European leagues will remain in their respective countries.

The ownership of the clubs and the nationality of the players are irrelevant because they have always been English and will remain so.

Just because a non-English player plays in England doesn't mean he's English. Landing an American Airlines plane at Heathrow doesn't make it British Airways.

Americans are involved in the ownership of 8 clubs.

9.

Soon to be 10.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/04/magazine/english-soccer-american-owners.html

zibala

The ownership of the clubs and the nationality of the players are irrelevant because they have always been English and will remain so.

> Just because a non-English player plays in England doesn't mean he's English. Landing an American Airlines plane at Heathrow doesn't make it British Airways.

I never said that. I said regardless of the club ownership and the nationality of the players, the Premier League clubs will always be English just like they have been since 1888.

Premier League clubs that have Americans as owners

Arsenal – Stan Kroenke.

Liverpool – Fenway Sports Group.

Aston Villa – V Sports. ...

Manchester United – Glazer Family.

West Ham – J. ...

Chelsea – Todd Boehly.

Fulham – Shahid Khan.

Bournemouth – Bill Foley.

wallace

I never said that. I said regardless of the club ownership and the nationality of the players, the Premier League clubs will always be English 

Makes no sense. Those teams are so far removed from being English these days it's not even a question.

And nine American Premier League teams:

Everton

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/sep/15/everton-owner-farhad-moshiri-agrees-to-sell-shares-to-777-partners

zibala

wallace

I never said that. I said regardless of the club ownership and the nationality of the players, the Premier League clubs will always be English 

Makes no sense. Those teams are so far removed from being English these days it's not even a question.

You have no idea about the passion of English football or the fans. Why would you, you are an American so this does not concern you? Just like you frequently post yourself.

Which English club team will you watch tomorrow on the final day of the season? Going for any 500/1 bets?

And nine American Premier League teams:

> Everton

> https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/sep/15/everton-owner-farhad-moshiri-agrees-to-sell-shares-to-777-partners

The Everton contract still needs approval. Also approval from the FA. Not a done deal until it is announced.

What happens in the Premier League is decided by the clubs and the FA, not FIFA.

Are there any Americans with a view on this?

I’d be interested to read their views.

Looking forward to Premier League teams playing in Australia again. They are not getting the fan support at home so this is a smart business move.

Are there any Americans here with an opinion on this?

Are there any Americans here with an opinion on this?

They'd love the idea. It would be a great move to get those teams playing in front of huge crowds over the world. I assume the Brits would be supportive of that. It would be silly to try and argue otherwise, as you would agree.

gcFd1

Premier League clubs are already making plans for the 2024/25 season by arranging pre-season friendlies across the globe. Arsenal, Manchester United, and Liverpool will renew rivalries in the USA this summer, while Newcastle and Tottenham meet in Australia just days after the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

The Australian market is too small.

The council -- FIFA's regular decision-making body -- said the group would consider 10 aspects of hosting overseas games.

Good plan; good for the fans.

Premier League clubs are already making plans for the 2024/25 season by arranging pre-season friendlies across the globe. Arsenal, Manchester United, and Liverpool will renew rivalries in the USA this summer, while Newcastle and Tottenham meet in Australia just days after the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

Excellent. Great to see Premier League teams playing games in the USA--especially since half the league is American-owned.

Some Premier League clubs play friendlies in the US. Nothing new about that. It goes back decades. They are not competition games. The Premier League isn't controlled by FIFA.

Some Premier League clubs play friendlies in the US. Nothing new about that. It goes back decades. They are not competition games. The Premier League isn't controlled by FIFA.

Great--those Premier League teams will be well-prepared to play competitive matches in the US--especially those US-owned teams.

Jolly good for fans all over.

zibala

Some Premier League clubs play friendlies in the US. Nothing new about that. It goes back decades. They are not competition games. The Premier League isn't controlled by FIFA.

Great--those Premier League teams will be well-prepared to play competitive matches in the US--especially those US-owned teams.

> Jolly good for fans all over.

The Premier League season is from August until May. There are European games for those clubs involved. There is the Euro Final every four years. The World Cup is every four years.

When will players have the time and health to make new competitive games in the US?

Some Premier League clubs play friendlies in the US. Nothing new about that. It goes back decades. They are not competition games. The Premier League isn't controlled by FIFA.

Then why are you complaining?

This is a sound business move. And Australia would be a great market for Premier League teams to play. If there is concern about the players' health, then it sounds like they are not in the physical condition to be playing in the league in the first place.

Besides, if there really was concern about their health, they already passed the test by eating local food in the cities in which they play.

There are less than 2 million soccer supporters in Australia.

Soccer A-league attendance 1,115,048 (2022–23)

Then why are you complaining?

Because it could compromise the integrity of the league. Teams may lose the home advantage by playing a game not at their home stadium.

Personally I'm in favour of rinsing fat American sport fans for all they are worth. It's about time they watched some proper sport without burger commercials every 2 minutes.

Watching athletic Brits may help them address their obesity and educational issues.

Because it could compromise the integrity of the league. Teams may lose the home advantage by playing a game not at their home stadium.

"integrity". In the Premier League? Where do we start. The racist fans?

hahaha!

Welcome to Australia where proper manners are the norm at sport events.

gcFd1

There are less than 2 million soccer supporters in Australia.

About 4 times the population of Liverpool. Perfect, right willy?

You compare a city with a country. The Premier League attendance at games is 15 million.

https://www.statista.com/statistics/686981/football-aggregate-attendance-by-league-united-kingdom/

These include the impact on fans, how it would affect the balance of the competition, whether the games would be one-offs or a regular feature, and the impact on football.

Excellent idea. Welcome to America.

The overseas players on the foreign-owned PL teams will greatly benefit from getting out of the confines of the old, worn our stadiums in England.

American businesspeople and companies have purchased English football clubs due to the potential for greater profit compared to owning an American club.

American businesspeople and companies have purchased English football clubs due to the potential for greater profit compared to owning an American club.

So English business owners either cannot afford the teams or they do not recognize the ability to make profit?

Either way, those are US teams, with a majority of players not from England, playing in stadiums with a lethargic fanbase.

Time to make the move to the United States.

zibala

I will allow you to explain why the Premier League is the most lucrative of them all.

Key Statistic:

From 2025, the Premier League's UK broadcast rights deal will be worth £6.7bn. This makes it the most lucrative football league in the world. Following the 2022-2023 campaign, clubs received a minimum total of £88.6 million.

You seem to fail to accept English, Spanish, French, Italian, Dutch, German, and Belgium are all staying in their respective countries and none are moving to the US. The European football market is massive and the US does not come anywhere near it.

In England and the rest of the UK, football is the number one sport but in the US it's only fourth or fifth.

From 2025, the Premier League's UK broadcast rights deal will be worth £6.7bn. This makes it the most lucrative football league in the world. Following the 2022-2023 campaign, clubs received a minimum total of £88.6 million.

The owners want to take their teams abroad.

Half of the Premier League is owned by Americans. It is a US league, not English.

How come no English want to own these teams?

Anyway. to the league and to the players--Welcome to the USA!

The media companies with significant contracts with the Premier League will never agree to reschedule games outside of their broadcasting schedules. Sky holds the majority of the rights to the Premier League in the UK, with 128 live games per season.

The media companies with significant contracts with the Premier League will never agree to reschedule games outside of their broadcasting schedules. Sky holds the majority of the rights to the Premier League in the UK, with 128 live games per season.

Go back about 20 years and recall your feeling when the first foreign entity was set to buy a Premier League team and up to then you were saying, It will never happen. Or remember the time a day before the Foreign Legion took the field and you were saying, That will never happen.

Premier League teams will play regular season matches overseas, and especially in the US. The country that owns half of the Premier League teams.

It will happen.