Manchester City F.C., AC Milan, Premier League, FC Barcelona: A Deep Dive into the U.S. Summer of Soccer

The summer of 2024 is set to be an electrifying period for soccer fans in the United States, as an influx of European football teams will be arriving for a series of high-profile exhibition matches. These games are not just about the thrill of the sport; they represent a significant opportunity for American fans to experience world-class soccer up close and personal. The Olympics have already kicked off with soccer games in Nice and Marseille, setting the stage for an exciting summer. But it’s the arrival of top teams from the English Premier League, Serie A, and La Liga that has fans buzzing with anticipation. This phenomenon is part of the Directv Soccer Champions Tour, a series of ‘friendlies’ that will take place in stadiums across the East Coast.

In addition to the Soccer Champions Tour, there will be an impressive 77 matches across the U.S. featuring teams from Major League Soccer (MLS) and Liga MX. These matches are accessible to a broader audience through the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+, ensuring that fans can catch every moment of the action. The Champions Tour itself boasts an impressive lineup, including iconic teams like Manchester City, Chelsea, AC Milan, Real Madrid, and FC Barcelona. This tour is seen as a golden opportunity to engage American audiences authentically, as the U.S. market is increasingly vital for these European clubs.

Manchester City, for instance, has gone all out in their efforts to expand their following in the U.S. They have launched a retail pop-up store in New York’s Rockefeller Center, a clear indication of their North American charm offensive. The U.S. market is viewed as a strategic frontier for European soccer clubs, with many fans still undecided about which team to support. This presents a unique opportunity for these clubs to grow their fan base not only in the U.S. but also in other emerging markets.

Simultaneously, 47 clubs from MLS and Liga MX will be competing in the Leagues Cup, with all matches broadcast on Apple TV+. Apple has likened this tournament to the Ryder Cup in golf, highlighting its unique format and competitive spirit. Organizing the Champions Tour is no small feat, especially given the limited availability of players who have participated in early-summer tournaments like the Euros and Copa America. However, the tour organizers are working tirelessly to ensure that the event is a resounding success.

The inaugural year of the Champions Tour saw tremendous interest, with 82,000 people attending the match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. This year’s tour promises to be even more spectacular, featuring special matchups such as the celebration of the 125th anniversaries of AC Milan and Real Madrid. Other major English Premier League teams, like Arsenal, will also be playing friendlies in the U.S. during this period, adding to the excitement.

Baltimore will be one of the key cities hosting these high-profile matches. FC Barcelona and AC Milan are set to play a preseason friendly match in Baltimore, marking 15 years since European soccer clubs first graced the city. Milan first played in Baltimore in 2009 against Chelsea, in front of a sold-out crowd of over 71,000 fans. Although Chelsea won the match 2-1, the event was more about increasing the teams’ exposure to the American market than the result itself. The success of that initial match put Baltimore on the map as a prime destination for soccer games.

This year, Milan will return to Baltimore to face FC Barcelona as part of the 2024 Soccer Champions Tour. The tour includes six matches between international pro teams, with games also scheduled in New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Charlotte, and Orlando. Other participating teams include Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Chelsea. According to Ravens’ President Sashi Brown, hosting these international soccer matches at M&T Bank Stadium showcases the mid-Atlantic region’s growing passion for the sport. This will be the first international pro soccer competition at the stadium since 2022.

Hosting major sporting events, such as army-navy games, lacrosse tournaments, and soccer friendlies, helps to build Maryland’s reputation as a serious sports tourism destination. Terry Hasseltine, the executive director of the Maryland Sports Commission, believes that the relationships built with teams, fans, and other stakeholders over the years have kept Maryland competitive in the sports tourism market. There is a growing appetite for European soccer in the U.S., leading to more Premier League and La Liga teams touring during the offseason.

Baltimore has become a viable option for international clubs, with teams like Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool FC playing at M&T Bank Stadium in 2012. In addition to soccer friendlies, the stadium has also hosted the U.S. Men’s National Team in the Concacaf Gold Cup. Other Maryland stadiums, such as Commanders Field in Landover and Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, have also joined in on the trend. There is potential for more friendlies to be held in Baltimore in the future, depending on the teams’ schedules and other events at the stadium.

The rise of international soccer in the region has been a dream for Pete Caringi, the former head coach of UMBC men’s soccer. During his tenure, teams would often train at UMBC’s facilities, and Caringi recalls the excitement and energy surrounding these events. Caringi will be attending the Milan-Barcelona match in August as a fan, and he believes the growing popularity of these events will help to boost the sport in general.

The summer preseason for European soccer clubs is a major event in North America. Many top clubs, such as Manchester United and Real Madrid, will be playing in the U.S. in 2024. These friendly matches are highly anticipated due to the world-class talent on display. The schedule for 2024 includes matches from various events and series, and fans will need to check each club’s traveling squad list to see which players will be participating. Some players may have extended breaks after representing their national teams in tournaments.

The Soccer Champions Tour will feature five European powerhouses in six matches primarily on the East Coast. The highlight of the tour is the August 3 match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona in New Jersey. These two La Liga rivals have a tradition of playing summer matches in the U.S., and this year’s matchup is highly anticipated. The FC Series is a separate collection of matches, but two are being organized in collaboration with the Soccer Champions Tour. These matches include Manchester City vs. AC Milan and FC Barcelona vs. Manchester City.

Wolves, West Ham, and Crystal Palace will play three matches in Maryland and Florida. It is unclear if there will be a trophy awarded to the best-performing team in the series. Some clubs have made their own arrangements to play in the U.S. during the summer preseason. Real Betis will be playing against Liverpool and Manchester United to build their brand in the U.S. RB Leipzig will also play two Premier League teams, including Aston Villa. Aston Villa will also have a second game against MLS champions Columbus Crew. German side Eintracht Frankfurt will play U.S. second-tier leaders Louisville City FC in Kentucky. Wrexham, a third-tier British team, will tour North America to play against Bournemouth, Chelsea, and Vancouver Whitecaps. Many well-known players have featured in MLS, but some are more forgotten than others.