West Ham United are returning to the United States this summer for the 2025 Premier League Summer Series.
The Hammers will take on Manchester United at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Saturday 26 July, Everton at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois on Wednesday 30 July, and AFC Bournemouth at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday 3 August.
Head Coach Graham Potter and his squad can be sure of a warm welcome from the many thousands of members of the Claret and Blue Army who call the US home.
The Stateside fanbase is comprised of both Americans and expatriates, many of whom are members of the many Official Supporters’ Clubs set up to provide the West Ham family with homes from home on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.
As part of the build-up to the Premier League Summer Series, whufc.com has spoken to those who run those Supporters’ Clubs, looking ahead to watching their team from London in action over the coming weeks.
This week, we catch up with Detroit Hammers founder Josh Hatmaker about the noise West Ham United are making in the Motor City…
Can you talk us through the origins of Detroit Hammers?
“There are a handful of supporter groups in Detroit for other clubs we don’t need to mention, and I was determined to create one for West Ham. Our first meet-up had just four members, and I wasn’t sure what to expect, but over time I realised the story of the Detroit Hammers actually started well before the group officially existed. Most members have been long-time, or even life-long, West Ham fans who’ve supported the Club and worn the badge with pride. I often hear things like: ‘I’ve been living here supporting West Ham for as long as I can remember, and I thought I was the only one’. I think that’s really the true origin story: a group of diehard fans who thought they were alone in this part of the world, only to discover they’re far from it. That’s created a unique ‘family’ culture and identity for the Detroit Hammers. If you ever make it to a watch party here in Detroit, you’ll see - it doesn’t feel like just a group of fans getting together, it feels like a family hanging out.”
How many members do you have now?
“We currently average 15-20 members in person at any given watch party. We have over 100 members registered through the Official Supporters’ Club Portal, and about 1,500 followers on social media.”
How and where do you follow the Irons on a matchday?
“We meet at Atwater Brewery & Tap House in Downtown Detroit.”
Has being part of the Official Supporters’ Clubs group enabled you to develop relationships with other supporters’ clubs across the US?
“Absolutely. I’m in a group chat with chairpersons and admins from about 40 different North American supporter groups. One of the main purposes of that chat is to help connect West Ham fans who are travelling. For example, if a Detroit member is heading to Indianapolis for the weekend, I’ll reach out to Martin from Indy to get them connected, so they have a place to watch the match. I’ve also seen social media posts like: ‘Living in middle Tennessee - any groups nearby?’. Within minutes, you’ll have Philly Hammers tagging the Nashville Hammers, or Baltimore Hammers calling Scott in Nashville to make sure that fan finds a home.”
What’s been the most memorable moment you’ve had with Detroit Hammers?
“There have been several. From landing our own permanent home pub, to watching the team together in person in Tampa last year and at Summer Series this upcoming summer. But I don’t think anything beats the Europa Conference League final. We had our largest crowd that day, and everyone stayed around to celebrate and hang out together long after the match was over.”
Have you visited London Stadium for a live game in-person?
“I haven’t yet, but it’s absolutely #1 on my bucket list. That said, several Detroit Hammers have travelled to London for matches over the years.”
West Ham United will be visiting the United States for Premier League Summer Series 2025. What’s the feeling among your members about watching the Hammers live in the US?
“We had about 20 or 30 members attend in Tampa last year, and everyone still talks about it to this day. Excitement for seeing West Ham in the States again this year is at an all-time high. We’ll have our biggest group together for the Chicago date, but we also have members travelling to New Jersey and Atlanta.”
Which players are you most excited about seeing in the flesh?
“One of the great things the Club did this year was introduce a new ‘Hammer of the Year’ award for Official Supporters’ Clubs to vote on. I ran a poll within our group, and while several players received votes, the top two were AWB and Bowen. So, if I’m speaking for the group as a whole, those two would be at the top, but we’re also excited to see some of the young players and get a glimpse of the future of the Club.”
How ‘massive’ is West Ham United in the United States?
“I don’t have the data or metrics to capture how big West Ham’s following actually is here, but to me what separates West Ham supporter groups in the States from other clubs’ supporter groups in the States is the passion and consistency in how we support our team. In my opinion, West Ham supporter groups across the US are some of the most real, loyal and passionate out there. I would even go as far as to say that we rival just about any other club’s US-based groups - not always in numbers, but in commitment, energy and heart. And to me, that’s what truly defines how ‘massive’ we are.”
What do you think the Club should do to continue growing the fanbase across the United States in the future?
“I’ve said it many times - when the ‘West Ham US’ social media pages launched a year and a half or two years ago, I immediately saw growth in our group. That kind of engagement - being tagged in a post, or seeing your group’s photo shared by an official Club-run account - brings visibility and excitement. I’ve seen it with our group and many others: people joining simply because they realised there was a local group they hadn’t known about before.”
How can other supporters join Detroit Hammers?
“There are several ways. We have a Facebook group, an Instagram page, and an X (Twitter) feed. You can also become an official member through West Ham’s Official Supporters’ Club Portal on the Club website. But most importantly, just show up to a watch party! We meet for nearly every match of the season, and we’re always looking for more Hammers to join us.”
