Premier League Summer Series

Atlanta, Georgia

For years, European football teams have spent summers in the United States, playing friendlies and exhibitions. These matches help clubs build American fan bases and raise extra funds, while giving local fans rare opportunities to see European teams and players live rather than just on TV.

Of all the European leagues in the US, the Premier League is the most influential. It is England’s top division and occasionally includes Welsh teams. My favorite club, Chelsea, has played here since the league’s 1991 inception, after the split from England’s original first division.

When I saw the 2025 Premier League Summer Series lineup, I realized Manchester United, my brother’s favorite, was the only club I’d seen in person. It’s funny how the Premier League is where our sibling rivalry lives. Years ago, I took Aaron to his first Manchester United match against the MLS’s new Philadelphia Union. This year, the other featured teams are Everton (Liverpool), West Ham (East London), and Bournemouth (South Coast).

There were many advantages to booking this Premier League Summer Series. First, the games were held in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, a beautiful, indoor, air-conditioned stadium in Atlanta. The stadium is also known for having extremely reasonable concessions compared to most other professional ballparks, so it was very reasonable for all four of us to eat while we were there. Second, yes, I typed games, as one ticket admitted us to watch both contests, so we were guaranteed at least three hours of Premier League Soccer. Third, Mercedes-Benz Stadium was very easy for all of us to access. I was able to cash in some credits to fly to Atlanta, and my brother only lives a short drive from the city. Finally, tickets were reasonable to watch two games featuring four Premier League teams.

Attending football/soccer games in the United States is a very different experience from attending in Europe, which is what allows an event like this to function. People in the United States are typically not as tribal when it comes to their sporting teams. The closest we get is with collegiate sports, and then most rivalries are fairly friendly. Crowd-watching is fun at an event like this, where you can definitely see people wearing all kinds of colors and team badges. My brother obviously wore his Manchester United jersey. As for Wyatt and me, we flew our Chelsea colors even though they were not playing. Henry ended up wearing one of his soccer jerseys from his recreational team, which is very important, as youth soccer has been big in the United States since I was a child. I saw something I’d never seen before because there were four teams playing. Several touristy places sell half-and-half scarves. I bought one half-and-half scarf in my lifetime, and that was the game I saw in Wembley. Because there were four teams at this event, the Premier League sold scarves featuring all four teams. Aaron and I also joke that whenever we go to sporting events, we look around for the most random jersey people are wearing. We saw a lot of other soccer clubs, but that’s to be expected at a game in the United States. We saw hometown jerseys, and in Atlanta, it was expected to see the Braves, the Falcons, Georgia Tech, and the University of Georgia, but it’s always funny when you see a random jersey from a random club or college turn up at an American sporting event.

The two games were pretty entertaining, and I definitely felt like I got my money’s worth. In the first game, West Ham beat Bournemouth 2-0, and both goals came from great lead-up play. After watching this game, I would have thought the Cherries would be the relegation candidate and West Ham the solid mid-table team, but with seven games to go this season, the Hammers are in a fight to stay in the league while Bournemouth are pretty comfortable in mid-table. If nothing else, it teaches you as a fan not to put too much stock into the preseason.

In the second game, we saw Everton take on Manchester United. I’ve always had a soft spot for the Toffees as they were founded in a Methodist church by members of the congregation who wanted to play year-round. Everton plays in one of my favorite cities, Liverpool, and they also play in my favorite color, royal blue. Everton is one of the oldest and historically most successful clubs in England, but they have not won a major trophy since 1995. In contrast, Manchester United is one of the most successful clubs in England and the world, a brand known everywhere, but they have played at a lower level since their legendary manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, retired in 2013. Alex Ferguson won more trophies than any other manager, although he could still be caught by Pep Guardiola. Still, Manchester United has won five trophies (2 FA Cups, 2 League Cups, and 1 Europa) post-Ferguson’s retirement. While this trophy haul is disappointing to Red Devil fans, it would have been an incredible haul for most clubs worldwide, including the other three teams at the tournament. As for the game, it was a very exciting 2-2 draw. Bruno Fernandes, the Manchester United captain, scored a goal and notched an assist on the other goal to Mason Mount. Everton answered both goals, and a draw was the fairest result. At the end of the game, Manchester United was presented with a trophy for winning the Premier League Summer Series, adding a small bit of silverware to an impressive trophy cabinet.

I took away several key points from this event. First, watching two games in a high-quality stadium like Mercedes-Benz Stadium offers great value. Second, the stadium itself will be an excellent venue for future major soccer events, such as the World Cup. Third, enjoying the sport at a high level is rewarding regardless of which teams are playing. Fourth, tours by foreign teams give American fans the chance to see international talent in person. If you get the chance to attend one of these games, you should; the relaxed atmosphere of friendlies lets fans have fun while seeing quality play. Overall, the Premier League’s efforts to grow its presence in the United States have enhanced the sport’s following here.