The Premier League will hold an off-season tournament in the United States this summer featuring six teams.
Chelsea, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Fulham, Brighton and
Brentford will play in the nine-match “summer series” in July, the league
announced Tuesday.
“Our clubs have incredible supporters in the U.S., who
passionately follow their teams throughout the season,” Premier League chief
executive Richard Masters said in a statement.
The matches will be played from July 22-30 in Atlanta,
Orlando, Philadelphia, as well as in Harrison, New Jersey, and Landover,
Maryland.
Chelsea and Brighton will kick off the tournament at Lincoln
Financial Field in Philadelphia on July 22.
While a number of English top-flight clubs have held
off-season tours in the U.S. it is the first time the league has staged a
tournament there.
The league said it was part of an “ongoing commitment to its
U.S.-based fans.” AP