By Andy Marston, Sports Pundit
The Premier League is bringing its pre-season tournament back to the U.S. for the second edition of the Summer Series, featuring four clubs competing in a high-intensity round-robin tournament across three major cities.
Manchester United, Bournemouth, Everton, and West Ham will take part, with matches held in New Jersey (MetLife Stadium), Chicago (Soldier Field), and Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) from July 26 to August 3.
Each matchday features double-headers, giving fans the chance to watch two matches with a single ticket purchase - nearly a quarter of all tickets are priced under $100 (£77).
The inaugural edition in 2023 attracted 265,000+ fans across five locations, with 40% of attendees not supporting any of the clubs involved - highlighting the growing appeal of Premier League football itself, beyond individual teams.
Why It Matters:
The Summer Series goes head-to-head with FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup, featuring Premier League winners Man City and Chelsea, alongside Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and other global giants. Yet the Premier League is doubling down on its U.S. expansion, confident in its ability to sell "Premier League football" as a premium experience, not just as a vehicle for club brands.
By focusing on double-header matchdays, accessible pricing, and high-intensity football, the Summer Series aims to offer a more immersive and fan-friendly alternative to FIFA’s tournament, where not every match will carry the same marquee appeal.
The shift to double-headers reinforces what Premier League data already shows - many American fans attend not to follow a specific team, but to experience the Premier League as a whole. This tournament goes beyond club allegiances, positioning the Premier League itself as a must-watch, must-attend global property.
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