Recently, Liverpool president Tom Werner has been quoted in the media saying that Premier League games could be taken out of England, and this has had a huge impact and shaken the foundation of traditional soccer. New York, Los Angeles, Rio de Janeiro, and Riyadh are among the places he said he'd consider hosting matches.
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The idea is part of a larger plan to globalize the sport, hoping to expand audiences and attract new investors. Not everyone is clapping, however. The proposal has generated debates on tradition, logistics, and the real impacts of such a move.
The dream of globalizing the Premier League
Werner described something almost like a science fiction story: Premier League games held at different parts of the world on the same day. New York, Tokyo, Rio de Janeiro, and Los Angeles would be the stage for an event that, in his words, globally celebrates soccer and the Premier League. The ambition is undeniable, but is such execution even feasible?
“We are determined that, one day, a Premier League game will be played in New York. I even have this crazy idea that one day we could play a game in Tokyo, another game a few hours later in Los Angeles, a match in Rio de Janeiro, and then in Riyadh, making it a sort of day where soccer and the Premier League are celebrated”, he revealed during an interview with the Financial Times.
FIFA, however, does not appear to be ruling it out. The organization is said to be seriously considering forming a council to discuss the possibility of national league games being held outside their home countries. The United States and Saudi Arabia seem to have already secured their positions at the top of the list, considering the infrastructural arrangement, financial attractiveness, and rise in interest for the game they provide. Similarly, Brazil, with the unmatched passion for soccer, has already joined the list.
The upside
From a marketing perspective, Werner's proposal is bold but not absurd. The Premier League is already the most-watched club competition in the world, and extending its physical presence to strategic markets seems like a natural step. Hosting a game in cities like New York or Los Angeles would help consolidate soccer's growth in the United States, where Major League Soccer (MLS) has been experiencing increased viewership and investment.
Saudi Arabia, which has been splashing millions on securing marquee names to play in its home league, is one of the newer markets ready to splurge to secure high-profile matches. Rio de Janeiro could become an association with a storied history of South American soccer, strengthening the Premier League's brand in a continent where football breathes and lives.
The price of innovation
However, it isn't all peach and cream, either. Taking the official Premier League match outside England also brings a set of challenges that can't be ignored. The first one is the impact on tradition: clubs like Liverpool have faithfully-loyal fans who pack their stadiums every single week, creating an atmosphere second to none. Moving a game away from home, even in the name of promoting the brand, could be seen as a slap in the face to these local supporters-the lifeblood of the club's identity.
There's also a physical toll to the players and staff. One can imagine making a transcontinental journey in the middle of the regular season. The fatigue is going to mount up, disrupted training routines and even the changing of time zones. Werner is aiming for something of a great global spectacle but may end up sacrificing the quality of the matches that may be reduced, and with this, increased injuries.
The pre-season is the best time for worldwide matches
One such option that represents a potential balance between tradition and innovation could be to be heavy with global games during pre-season. It's already common to see Liverpool, Manchester United, Barcelona, Chelsea, Real Madrid, and so on playing friendlies during this period in strategic markets. Taking official Premier League games outside the UK adds another layer of complexity that may not be necessary. Global friendlies offer nearly the same marketing and exposure benefits without disrupting logistics or domestic competitions.