Even when the rest of America was not paying attention, New Jersey has always been a soccer state. The game has been played here for generations by immigrant factory workers in Kearny's parks and by modern youth academies producing the next generation of stars. Now, the Premier League is listening. On July 26 at MetLife Stadium, four of England's biggest clubs will play a doubleheader that shows just how far soccer has come in the Garden State. As always in New Jersey, the matches will be as much a draw for bettors as they are for fans.
Why This Summer Series Matters
This is no ordinary preseason friendly. The Premier League Summer Series is a premium event in key U.S. markets. With its dense soccer-loving population and state-of-the-art venues, New Jersey was an obvious choice. A doubleheader format sees Everton face Bournemouth at 4 PM and Manchester United face West Ham at 7 PM - fans get two games for the price of one.
It gives local fans the chance to see world stars without going across the ocean. The clubs use it to test their squads against American fans ahead of the new season. For New Jersey, it's proof that the state is becoming a mecca for international soccer.
Online Casinos Getting into Sports Betting
New Jersey sportsbooks at nj online casinos are expecting heavy action in those two matches. Already, soccer is big in the state's "other sports" betting market, with $164 million wagered in January alone. That number will surely increase dramatically in July as MetLife Stadium welcomes the Premier League.
You'll see plenty of live betting as fans react to line-up changes and in-game momentum shifts. But will the problems at Manchester United last into the summer? Will Everton defend against Bournemouth? The odds will change in real time for those in the stands or at home.
Revealing New Jersey's Soccer History
Long before the Red Bulls or the Premier League arrived, soccer was a part of New Jersey culture. It became popular with Scottish, Irish and English immigrants who worked in the state's mills and factories in the late 1800s. Sports were thriving in towns like Kearny and Paterson, where local clubs played in some of America's first organized leagues.
And Kearny, in particular, became known as "Soccer Town USA" thanks to the national team legend Tony Meola and ex-Everton keeper Tim Howard. The state was even involved in early professional soccer - the 1884 American Football Association was founded in Hoboken. All that history makes New Jersey a great place to play a Premier League showpiece.
What's at Stake for the Premier League Clubs?
Such matches will not count in the standings but are by no means meaningless. For Manchester United, still reeling from a poor Premier League campaign, it is a chance to regain confidence. The visitors, fresh from another survival scrap, will want to be part of England's elite. Meanwhile, West Ham and Bournemouth will use the games to hone tactics ahead of the new season.
Player fitness will also be important. Since the European season ends in May, managers have to balance rest with preparation. There are some stars who get limited minutes, but the quality of Premier League squads ensures top-class play regardless of what happens. And it gives American fans a glimpse of what those teams could look like when the real action gets underway in August.
A Goalkeeping Legend Has Jersey Roots
Without Tim Howard, no discussion of New Jersey soccer is complete. This North Brunswick product rose from the Garden State youth ranks to become one of America's best goalkeepers for Everton and the U.S. national team. He set a record 16 saves against Belgium in the 2014 World Cup.
Howard showed other New Jersey players that world-class players could emerge from the state's competitive youth leagues. That said, his story is a reminder that even though the Premier League is here now, New Jersey has produced soccer excellence for decades.
The Bigger Picture for Soccer in America
The Premier League's Summer Series is part of a push to grow the game in the U.S. market. A key state is New Jersey - and events like this only add to the momentum. Already, the Premier League schedules matches for U.S. TV audiences.
Will this all mean bigger games for the state? Well, it's all gearing up for an exciting World Cup final being held in NJ in 2026. For now though, the focus is on July 26, when four Premier League clubs take to the field at MetLife. It's set to be a moment to remember for New Jersey soccer fans.
With these summer friendlies selling like pork roll, real Premier League fixtures may soon be played on American soil. The line between global marketing and structural change is getting thinner - and New Jersey is once again at the heart of soccer evolution.