The Premier League’s first pre-season tournament in the United States kicks off this weekend and there is a range of activity taking place in communities alongside the matches.
As well as nine fixtures between 22 and 30 July, the League and the six travelling clubs are delivering more than 100 hours of community activity across the five host cities.
This includes community football coaching and life skills workshops delivered as part of the League’s education initiative Premier League Primary Stars, involving more than 400 children.
There will also be programmes focusing on grassroots and elite coach development, with registrations anticipated to exceed 500 aspiring and elite-level coaches, as well as referee development.
A community showcase in each of the five East Coast cities – Atlanta, Harrison, Orlando, Philadelphia and Landover – will see Premier League players and managers from Aston Villa, Brentford, Brighton & Hove Albion, Chelsea, Fulham and Newcastle United making special appearances.
'World-leading support'
Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said: “The Premier League is proud to provide world-leading support for communities and football at all levels of the game across England and Wales.
“It is important for us to work with local communities across the United States as part of our first-ever pre-season tournament here, to help develop the game and benefit young people.
“I hope all the participants on these programmes enjoy the experience and take positives from the expert coaching and education from clubs and delivery partners. We look forward to continuing this work beyond the tournament.”
Investing in facilities
The Premier League is also working in conjunction with longstanding partner EA SPORTS FC and the US Soccer Foundation to open a mini-pitch at Washington Elementary School in Kearny, New Jersey, the first permanent site the League has created in the US.
The pitch is part of the US Soccer Foundation’s Safe Places to Play programme that has installed 600+ mini-pitches across the US on its path to 1,000 by 2026, and builds on the Premier League’s longstanding commitment to investing in grassroots football facilities in the UK.
It also forms part of partner initiatives such as EA SPORTS FC Futures for meaningful growth of community-led football with the purpose of growing the game for all.
Additionally, the League is working with the following local delivery partners: Boys & Girls Clubs of Florida, Orlando City SC and Universal Orlando Resort (Orlando); Soccer Shots (Philadelphia and Washington D.C./Maryland); Soccer in the Streets (Atlanta); Boys & Girls Club in New Jersey and Kean University (New Jersey). Partners for the League’s coach development programmes include NBC Sports Engine, US Youth Soccer and InspireSport.
Soccer fans can expect to see the players and managers taking part in a range of other activity in each of the host cities during the tournament, including visits to good causes, supporter-organised events, local landmarks and local sporting events.
Supporters attending matches in Philadelphia, Atlanta and Maryland can also attend Fan Zones ahead of kick-off which will be packed with fun activities and giveaways for all the family, with meet-and-greets with special guests lined up.
How to get tickets
Premier League Summer Series tickets for the fixture between Brighton and Newcastle United in New Jersey on Friday 28 July are now sold out.
Limited tickets are available for the remaining fixtures, with prices starting from $30* for individual matches and $40* for the double-headers in Philadelphia (Sunday 23 July) and Maryland (Sunday 30 July).
Premier League Summer Series 2023 schedule (all kick-off times local):
Sat 22 July (Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia)
Match 1: Chelsea v Brighton (19:00)
Sun 23 July (Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia)
Match 2: Fulham v Brentford (16:00)
Match 3: Newcastle v Aston Villa (19:00)
Wed 26 July (Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta)
Match 4: Brentford v Brighton (17:30)
Match 6: Newcastle v Chelsea (20:15)
Wed 26 July (Exploria Stadium, Orlando)
Match 5: Fulham v Aston Villa (19:00)
Fri 28 July (Red Bull Arena, New Jersey)
Match 7: Brighton v Newcastle (19:30)
Sun 30 July (FedExField, Landover, Maryland)
Match 8: Aston Villa v Brentford (12:00)
Match 9: Chelsea v Fulham (14:45)
For all the latest tournament and ticket information visit www.premierleague.com/SummerSeries
Fans can follow the build-up via Premier League and PL in USA channels on social media, and use #PLSummerSeries to get involved.
* Ticket prices stated are subject to ticket platform and US Soccer fees
