For some time, the notion of staging domestic league fixtures in the United States has circulated within European football. While the proposal has consistently faced opposition, it continues to be discussed, and there remains a realistic possibility that it could eventually materialise.
La Liga has already taken steps in this direction, with a match scheduled to be played in the United States. That fixture, however, faces potential disruption due to legal challenges. The idea remains highly controversial, particularly as many believe domestic football should primarily serve its local supporters, who invest both financially and emotionally to follow their teams each week.
Financial Motives Behind Overseas Matches
In most footballing nations, clubs make considerable efforts to ensure that their top division remains accessible to fans at home. Supporters regularly commit their resources to season tickets and travel, ensuring they can experience matches at their local stadiums. Yet with the increasing involvement of foreign ownership, particularly investors from outside Europe, there is growing concern that the pursuit of additional revenue streams could drive domestic fixtures beyond national borders.
Overseas ownership has already altered the commercial strategies of several leading clubs, placing a sharper emphasis on expanding global audiences. While this brings financial benefits, it risks alienating the core fanbase that provides the cultural backbone of the sport. The debate therefore reflects a broader tension between tradition and globalisation within football.
The Premier League Perspective
Analyst Dan Plumley has addressed the possibility of a Premier League fixture being staged in the United States, suggesting that ownership structures could be influential in shaping the outcome. As quoted by Football Insider, he explained, “Any one of those teams in the top six with American owners. And wider than that, you know, mostly all of them would be [interested in playing Premier League games overseas].”
He added, “It’s the same scenario you’ve seen play out with the Super League debacle; you’re seeing that now, it’s no coincidence that Barcelona were involved in that first game.”
The notion of taking competitive matches outside England is certain to spark fierce opposition from supporters. Any such decision would need to be carefully considered, as alienating the domestic fanbase risks undermining the very foundations on which the Premier League has built its success. For now, the debate continues, balancing financial ambition with the traditions of the game.
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I really don’t see the point. The revenue for that game for a team like Arsenal, surely can not be bettered. If it can’t, i see no reason why. If it could, then, that in the future could spell the end of home games as we see it now. More and more games would be played “home away” and thats not football as we all want it.
Very measured Reggie but I hope I’m long gone before anything like having prem games played abroad is acceptable
I’m far from being the only Arsenal supporter that has a family steeped in its history. It’s my heritage and my sons (late 30s/early 40s feel the same)
Same here.
No, never ever let them have there friendly’s, it would take the mickey out of fans if they did that
In short, no.
League matches should be made as equal and as fair as possible, even if a team does want to give up their home game. It would make far, far more sense to have single leg cup ties be the advert for british football sent abroad… but even then that takes away affordable matches that non-season ticket holders can attend.
Maybe there should be some kind of contest where clubs from around the world can compete against each other in needlessly strained matches… oh wait, thats just happened… isn’t that enough?
We are getting there slowly but surely, where money completely ruin football as we know it.
If its played in America its not the English league then is it? No international supporter will dedicate their lives attending games like a local supporter let alone Americans who doesn’t even care for the game. Why take some games away from locals when I heard its hard getting a ticket as it is now?
Hope local fans will boycott games if this happens for the greater good but I doubt they will.
HH,
I’m afraid money has already ruined football. That ship sailed a long time ago.
For me it’s a daft idea to play however many games abroad. If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.
But I’m afraid with all these money hungry people at the top of the game, it seems just a matter of time before it will happen. I hope I’m wrong.
This is another stupid idea from the powers above, who want to make money at every conceivable opportunity.
Let’s just look at one of the problems here… who’s home game would it be, unless both teams forfeit said home match.
They would then have to play in the same stadium to ensure no advantage is given.
Who would referee the games PGMOL wouldn’t want to relinquish their hold on PL matches and we Al know Mr Oliver would insist on first class travel arrangements!!
Finally though, what about the fans?
I certainly wouldn’t want to travel to the USA at this moment in time.
I’ve been very vocal about Mr Trump in other “political” sites and would expect to be arrested as soon as they checked my phone!!
This idea will end up in the same way the Super league did.
ken1945 – No politics zone, lol.
Spot on. As an American I don’t want any EPL games played here. I rather pay plane ticket and watch the matches in its natural environment. If this continues, eventually we will start seeing some of American sport system creeping into EPL such as no relegation/promotion, tax payers asked to fork for the cost of new stadium, team moving from state to state because they couldn’t get new stadium from the tax payers, interviewing players/coaches at half time and so forth.
No no no and no again. Why?
Everyone targeting US and sponsors / TV … have to say it’s a joke if it’s played there. Would create imbalance re home and away and we want to keep it as the EPL !
Clubs paying astronomical fees to agents and players is what’s driving the cost of everything up. ! Fans always last to be considered.
So a big fat NO from me …same to any EUropean Super League
It seems that the USA cough and we catch a cold.🤦♂️🤷♂️
I’d support my team if it was us but I don’t support the concept.
NO,
Unless it was being played in Charlotte. North Carolina
Then I could go and watch it.