The Stateside Cup to Feature West Ham, Wolves and Crystal Palace

Premier League clubs Crystal Palace, West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers will play a series of matches in Maryland and Florida as part of Elite Promotions Group’s Stateside Cup in late July and early August.

The Cup will start with West Ham United and Wolverhampton, commonly known as Wolves, on July 27 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville. Wolves will then play Crystal Palace on July 31 at the Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland, before West Ham face Crystal Palace on August 3 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay.

“We’re really excited to be heading Stateside this summer for our pre-season tour,” said West Ham United Chief Commercial Officer Nathan Thompson. “The U.S. market is key for West Ham United and the club’s presence, fan-base and status continues to grow significantly in the States. We can’t wait to play the matches and deliver unique experiences and opportunities for our fans and partners in America.”

It will be the first time the reigning Europa Conference League champions Hammers will have played in Florida. West Ham first played matches in the United States in 1963 and will be the seventh time overall in the U.S., most recently in 2016. West Ham has played unique U.S. matches in the past including against Real Madrid in 1967 at the Astrodome in Houston, Pele’s Santos of Brazil at Downing Stadium in New York in 1970 and against the MLS All-Stars in Toronto in 2008.​

Wolves will return to the U.S. for the first time in 43 years this summer, having played against the Jacksonville Tea Men in a May 1981 friendly. The club’s links to the U.S. extend to 1967 and an event in Los Angeles that last year was part of the documentary “1967: When LA Wolves Conquered the USA.”

“Bringing the first team to the U.S. is a major next step and we are looking forward to working with our U.S.-based supporter clubs to put on a series of events for existing and new fans travelling to the games,” said Russell Jones, Wolves general manager for marketing and commercial growth. “Aside from the opportunity to grow the club’s fans base, the tour will also provide a number of exciting exposure opportunities for club partners looking to grow their brands in the U.S.”

Crystal Palace will return to the United States following a tour of Chicago and Detroit in 2023 with Elite Promotions Group. On top of six previous preseason tours Stateside, Palace have attended the last two Premier League Mornings Live! Events in Nashville and Orlando. The Apple TV show Ted Lasso was filmed at Selhurst Park as the home ground of the fictional side AFC Richmond.

“After such a brilliant tour last year, we are delighted to be returning to the United States once again this summer,” Palace Chairman Steve Parish said. “As a club, we are always hugely appreciative of the support that we receive over in the U.S. and we hope our growing fanbase will enjoy the chance to join us in Annapolis and Tampa for two exciting matches against Premier League opposition.”