Premier League chief executive Richard Masters recently addressed the possibility of taking league games to the United States. While there are currently no concrete plans in place, Masters hinted that this could change pending a lawsuit in Manhattan. FIFA’s long-standing policy of prohibiting domestic league games from being played on the territory of another member federation has been challenged with the withdrawal from an antitrust suit by U.S. promoter Relevent Sports. This lawsuit also involves the U.S. Soccer Federation, further complicating the situation. If league games were to be organized abroad, European leagues and clubs, particularly those in England and Spain, could potentially receive offers from countries such as the United States and Saudi Arabia.
Masters emphasized that current plans do not include taking games to the United States. However, he acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the court case and the potential opportunities it might provide. According to Masters, the door is slightly ajar for matches to be played abroad, particularly in America. The European Leagues managing director, Jacco Swart, echoed this sentiment by stating that taking games abroad is not a priority for the group at the moment. While Swart did not rule out the possibility entirely, he emphasized that it is not a focus for the group at this time. This reluctance to commit to foreign games contrasts with the practice of U.S. sports leagues scheduling games in European cities.
In contrast to the cautious approach of the Premier League, LaLiga president Javier Tebas expressed optimism about the idea of taking games to the U.S. Tebas confidently stated that LaLiga would play official games abroad in the future, potentially starting from the 2025-26 season. He highlighted the importance of strengthening LaLiga’s position in the North American market, which is second only to Spain in terms of significance for the league. Despite FIFA’s previous opposition to LaLiga’s plans to play a game in Miami, the organization’s stance appears to have evolved, creating possibilities for future international matches.
Masters lamented the strained relationships between Europe’s leagues and FIFA, emphasizing the lack of meaningful dialogue between the two entities. In contrast, UEFA has taken steps to involve the leagues group by giving them a seat on its decision-making executive committee. The Premier League official pointed out the stark contrast in consultation styles between UEFA and FIFA, highlighting the need for improved communication and collaboration. FIFA’s upcoming Club World Cup, which will feature 12 European clubs among the 32 teams playing in the United States, poses both opportunities and challenges for European teams. While the event offers significant prize money, it also adds to the workload of players, potentially widening wealth gaps among clubs and impacting player fatigue.
The potential expansion of Premier League games to the United States presents both opportunities and challenges for European football. While there is hesitancy among some league officials, such as those in the Premier League, others, like LaLiga’s Javier Tebas, see this as a valuable opportunity to grow their presence in international markets. As discussions continue and the legal landscape evolves, the future of European league games in the U.S. remains uncertain but filled with potential.
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