With La Liga and Serie A announcing plans to host regular-season matches in the USA and Australia, respectively, the question arises: will the Premier League follow suit? Recent developments suggest that the idea of Premier League matches being played overseas is gaining traction.

La Liga and Serie A's Overseas Ambitions

• La Liga has revealed plans to host Villarreal's home fixture against Barcelona in December at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, a venue for the 2026 World Cup.
• Serie A is set to stage AC Milan's home match against Como in February in Perth, Australia, over 8,500 miles away from the San Siro.

Both leagues are seeking permission from FIFA and UEFA to proceed with these plans. FIFA has already established a working group to evaluate the impact of hosting competitive domestic matches overseas.

Premier League's Stance

Despite being the instigators of the infamous '39th game' idea during Richard Scudamore's tenure, the Premier League currently has no plans to host matches abroad. However, the influence of US ownership in the league is growing, with 11 clubs now under American control. This could soon reach a tipping point, especially as a third of EFL clubs are also partially or majority US-owned.

Financial Appeal and Fan Concerns

For top clubs like Manchester United, Arsenal, and Tottenham, the financial appeal of hosting matches abroad is significant. With global fanbases, these clubs could command premium prices overseas. However, smaller clubs like Bournemouth or Burnley risk losing the vocal support of their local fans, which could outweigh the commercial gains.

La Liga's Competitive Edge

La Liga is determined to establish a strong presence in football's biggest growth markets: the Middle East and the United States. The Super Cup, a mid-season event held in Saudi Arabia since 2020, already serves the Middle East market. By exploiting the pulling power of Barcelona and Real Madrid, La Liga aims to compete financially with the Premier League.

Conclusion

As La Liga and Serie A move forward with their overseas plans, the Premier League's edge may start to erode. The financial appeal of hosting matches abroad is undeniable, but the league must balance this with the concerns of local fans. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether the Premier League will join its European counterparts in taking the game global.