Premier League to Keep Matches Domestic: No Plans for Overseas Games

Premier League Remains firm on Not Playing Games Overseas

Published: November 21, 2023 | Last Updated: November 21, 2023

Richard Masters, Chief Executive of the Premier League, has dismissed the idea of taking a league match overseas.

London, England – The Premier League will not follow the lead of other European soccer leagues in staging matches abroad, according to league Chief Executive Richard Masters. The declaration comes as LaLiga gains approval to host a game in the United States and Serie A explores possibilities in Australia.

European Leagues Explore International Expansion

The Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) recently approved a plan to host a LaLiga match between Barcelona and Villarreal in Miami, Florida, later this year, potentially marking the first European top-flight league game to be played outside of Europe. Similarly, Italian Serie A clubs AC Milan and Como are considering a match in Perth, Australia, scheduled for next February. Both proposals require approval from FIFA and UEFA.

Masters stated definitively that the Premier League does not share the same ambitions. “I don’t think it changes the Premier LeagueS view on this at all; we don’t have any plans to play abroad,” he told the BBC. “It’s not anywhere near my in-tray and it’s not a debate around our table.”

Previous Discussions and Club Ownership

Despite the presence of 11 US-owned teams within the Premier League – a record number – the league’s clubs have historically been hesitant to approve such a move. Any rule change requires the support of at least 14 of the 20 clubs.

Liverpool Chairman Tom Werner has publicly expressed his desire to one day host a Premier League match in New York City, suggesting other potential locations like Tokyo, Los Angeles, and Riyadh. He believes such a move could generate notable revenue.

Why the Premier League is Different

The Premier League previously considered a similar plan in 2008, proposing a 39th game for each team to be played outside of England. However, the proposal was ultimately abandoned due to strong opposition from fans and media. Masters highlighted that the circumstances have changed.

“The Premier League flirted with this over a decade ago, and the reason was to grow the league internationally,” he explained. “We were able to do this through different means – digital means, broadcast partners, concepts like the summer series in the US. The necessity that was driving that concept has dissipated.”

Financial disparity and League Strength

One key differentiator is the Premier league’s financial dominance. Other European leagues are exploring overseas matches as a means of increasing revenue to compete with the Premier League’s lucrative television rights deals. The Premier League currently generates significantly more income than its counterparts.

Fan Opposition and Regulatory Hurdles

LaLiga’s plans have faced opposition from fan groups and the Spanish Football Supporters’ Association (FASFE), which has threatened legal action. FIFA’s rules currently prohibit domestic league matches from being played abroad, but a working group has been established to consider the possibility of changes. LaLiga has pointed to the staging of the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia as a precedent.

league	Overseas Match Plans	FIFA/UEFA Approval?	Fan Reaction
Premier League	No current plans	N/A	Historically opposed; concerns about disrupting tradition.
LaLiga	Barcelona vs. Villarreal in Miami	Pending	Strong opposition from fan groups, potential legal challenges.
Serie A	AC Milan vs. Como in Perth, Australia	Pending	Currently limited public data on fan reaction.

Did You Know? The Premier League’s international broadcast revenue for the 2022/23 season reached a record £5.2 billion.

Pro Tip: following the regulations set by FIFA and UEFA is crucial for any league planning to stage matches abroad.

The Globalization of Soccer

The debate surrounding overseas matches reflects the broader trend of globalization in soccer. Leagues are increasingly looking for ways to expand their reach,engage new audiences,and generate additional revenue. However, these efforts must balance commercial interests with the traditions and concerns of fans.

The success of the Premier League’s international broadcasting deals and events like the Premier League Summer Series in the US demonstrate alternative approaches to global expansion. These initiatives have proven successful in growing the league’s brand and revenue without fundamentally altering the structure of the competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why isn’t the Premier League playing games abroad? The Premier League currently has no plans to play games abroad, citing past failed attempts and successful alternative methods for international growth.
• What is LaLiga’s motivation for playing in the US? laliga aims to increase its global visibility and revenue by tapping into the large soccer fanbase in the United States.
• Are there any rules preventing leagues from playing overseas? FIFA’s rules currently discourage it, but a working group is reviewing the possibility of allowing such matches.
• What was the 2008 proposal for Premier League games abroad? The proposal involved adding a 39th game to each team’s schedule to be played outside of England, but it was abandoned due to fan opposition.
• How much revenue does the Premier League generate from international broadcasting? In the 2022-23 season, the Premier League brought in £5.2 billion from international broadcasting.

What are your thoughts on the idea of Premier League games being played overseas? Do you believe it would enhance the league or detract from its traditional appeal?

What are the primary logistical challenges associated with hosting Premier League matches overseas?

The Decision to remain Grounded

The Premier League has definitively stated it has no current plans to stage competitive matches outside of England, effectively shelving proposals for overseas games. This decision, confirmed in August 2025, follows years of debate and important opposition from fans, football authorities, and government officials. The initial concept, dubbed “Project Big Picture” and later explored independently, aimed to generate ample revenue by hosting Premier League fixtures in international locations – primarily the United States – to tap into a wider global fanbase. However, the logistical, sporting, and ethical concerns proved insurmountable.

Key Concerns Driving the Decision

Several factors contributed to the Premier League’s reversal. These weren’t simply about fan backlash, but a complex web of practical and strategic considerations:

Fan Opposition: The most vocal resistance came from supporter groups who argued that moving games overseas would fundamentally alter the nature of the league and price out loyal fans. The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) consistently campaigned against the idea, highlighting the disruption to traditional match attendance.

Logistical Challenges: Transporting teams,officials,and equipment across continents presented enormous logistical hurdles. The impact on player welfare, with increased travel fatigue, was a major concern voiced by the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA).

Broadcasting Rights & Scheduling: Existing broadcasting contracts and the already congested Premier League schedule made finding suitable dates for overseas matches incredibly tough. Conflicts with other major sporting events were also a factor.

Integrity of the Competition: concerns were raised about the fairness of playing competitive matches in different time zones and environments, possibly disadvantaging teams.

Government Intervention: The UK government signaled it’s opposition to the idea, threatening to block any proposals that would harm the domestic game.

The History of Overseas Game Proposals

The idea of taking Premier League football abroad isn’t new. Here’s a timeline of key events:

1. 2008: The infamous “39th Game” proposal, suggesting an extra round of Premier League matches played in international cities, was quickly abandoned after widespread criticism.
2. 2017-2018: The Premier League explored the possibility of playing a competitive match in China, but the deal fell through due to logistical and political issues.
3. 2019-2020: “Project big Picture” resurfaced the idea, proposing a significant overhaul of English football, including overseas games, but was rejected by Premier League clubs.
4. 2022-2024: Continued discussions and feasibility studies were conducted, but ultimately failed to gain sufficient support.
5. August 2025: The Premier League officially confirms no plans for overseas games in the foreseeable future.

Financial Implications of Staying Domestic

While overseas games promised a potential revenue boost, the Premier League’s decision to remain domestic has financial implications. The league currently generates billions of pounds from broadcasting rights, sponsorships, and matchday revenue.

Broadcasting Revenue: The Premier League’s global broadcasting deals are already incredibly lucrative. Maintaining strong relationships with existing broadcast partners remains the priority.

Sponsorship Opportunities: Focusing on enhancing the fan experiance within England and attracting new sponsors domestically is seen as a more enduring revenue strategy.

Matchday Revenue: Improving stadium infrastructure and increasing matchday hospitality offerings can contribute to increased revenue.

What This Means for Premier League Fans

The decision to keep matches domestic is largely seen as a victory for fans. It ensures:

Accessibility: Fans can continue to attend matches without the prohibitive costs and logistical challenges of international travel.

Tradition: The traditional matchday experience remains intact.

Fairness: The integrity of the competition is preserved.

Community: The strong connection between clubs and their local communities is maintained.

Future Considerations: Expanding Global Reach Without Overseas Games

the Premier League is still committed to expanding its global reach, but will focus on strategies that don’t involve moving matches overseas. These include:

International Pre-Season Tours: Continuing to stage pre-season friendlies in international locations to engage with fans and promote the league.

Global Fan Zones: Creating official fan zones in key international markets to provide a communal viewing experience.

Digital Engagement: Investing in digital platforms and content to reach a wider global audience.

Partnerships with International Leagues: Collaborating with other leagues to promote football globally.