It seems like the Premier League has been looking to crack America for some time now. Broadcasting giant NBC has ploughed billions of dollars into securing TV rights for the greatest league on earth for well over a decade, and they seem intent on transferring top-flight action across the pond. While rumours of a 39th PL game being played Stateside seem to have been squashed for now, some of the league’s giants—West Ham United included—will be heading to the Land of the Free this summer.
Sports Looking to Crack the States
The Premier League isn’t the only league that is looking to cash in on Stateside interest. Back in July 2017, El Clasico took place in the US for the first time ever, with Lionel Messi’s Barcelona emerging as 3-2 victors against Real Madrid at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Since then, perhaps the greatest rivalry on earth has taken place in the States three more times, heading to Las Vegas, Dallas, and the Big Apple.
This summer, it isn’t just the Hammers and the Premier League Summer Series that will be taking place in the States. The expanded FIFA Club World Cup will also be getting underway, with world football’s governing body looking to turn the tournament into a money spinner much like its national team counterpart. Giants such as the aforementioned El Clasico rivals, as well as Manchester City, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and many more will battle it out in a bid to be crowned champions at MetLife Stadium.
The beautiful game isn’t the only sport looking to cash in. Formula One now has no fewer than three US-based races on its calendar, with Miami, Vegas, and Dallas all hosting riveting Grand Prix racing action. Cricket also tried its hand at providing some competition to the MLB when it hosted part of last year’s T20 World Cup in the Land of the Free. Indeed even Rugby League has had a crack at it.
Over the last two years, six games have been contested inside Sin City’s Allegiant stadium, with the Super League, NRL, and even the Women’s Ashes Series terminating from the stadium. Two of those games took place in 2024, with the number doubling this year. The NRL Season 2025 actually hosted their opening games of the campaign in Vegas, with the Canberra Raiders dispatching the New Zealand Warriors by 30 points to eight and the reigning champion Penrith Panthers beating the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 28-22 in front of over 45,000 fans.
This summer, however, it’s the Premier League that is looking to secure its piece of the pie. And West Ham will be involved. Here is everything you need to know about the Hammers’ involvement in the US this July.
Stateside Hammers
As part of their preparations for the 2025/26 Premier League season, West Ham – as well as compatriots Manchester United, Everton, and Bournemouth – will head to the States to contest the summer series. The Hammers will kick things off against Ruben Amorim’s Red Devils at MetLife Stadium, the site of next summer’s FIFA World Cup Final, on July 26th. Four days later, they will head over to Chicago’s iconic Soldier Field for a clash against Everton, before rounding out their American road trip against the Cherries in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 3rd.
If you’re someone that has dreamed of following the Irons over in America, then tickets are on sale now.
The Immediate Task At Hand
While the Summer Series is certainly exciting for American based Hammers, the actual ongoing Premier League campaign is the bread and butter, and West Ham still have plenty of work to do if they are to achieve their goals. A dismal start to the campaign under Julen Lopetegui left the club looking over their shoulders at the possibility of a disastrous relegation. However, the appointment of former Brighton and Chelsea boss Graham Potter has steadied the ship.
The recent 1-0 victory away at Arsenal was perhaps the high point of the season. Jared Bowen’s first half strike was enough to down the Gunners at the Emirates, leaving their title hopes in tatters and leaving any fears of relegation firmly in the rearview mirror. Now, attention turns to racking up as many points as possible to climb up the table. A return to European competition however is most definitely out of reach.
An unlikely scenario which involves Aston Villa winning the Champions League could result in the Premier League having 11 teams in European action next season. But even if the West Midlands outfit somehow pulls off that particular miracle, the Hammers would still be on the outside looking in. They are currently seven points 11th placed Brentford at present, and even catching them looks like a longshot.
Most likely it will be the top eight that plays in Europe next season, and the currently well positioned Fulham are some 11 points clear of the Irons. Instead then, manager Potter can focus his attention on further upsets. His side will face Liverpool, Spurs, and Manchester United before the season is out, and upsetting the big boys may well be the sole joy that West Ham fans can celebrate between now and the end of the season.
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