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 the Hammers 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 Miami Hammers founder Matt Lobdell about the noise West Ham United are making in the Magic City…
Can you talk us through the origins of Miami Hammers?
“I'm a huge West Ham United fan, so I travelled to Chicago in September 2024 for the Premier League Mornings Live Fan Fest. While I was there I met a member of the Club's Supporter Services team, and he asked me if I was from the Chicago Hammers Supporters' Club. I told him I'd travelled from Miami and he asked me if I'd be interested in setting up a Miami group. I thought about it for a couple of weeks after the event and then decided to go for it! From there, we launched in December 2024!”
How many members do you have now?
“Officially we have six members, but we're getting bigger and bigger all the time.”
How and where do you follow the Irons on a matchday?
“We meet for most games at Bay 13 - a local brewery in the Miami area. I send out info on Instagram in advance of any watch party, then we always post a post-match photo of the gameday watch crew.”
Has being part of the Official Supporters’ Clubs group enabled you to develop relationships with other Supporters’ Clubs in the US?
“Yes - other Supporters' Clubs were very welcoming and helpful in sharing information when we were starting out, like where to make stickers and flags. I also went out to a West Ham event in Park City, Utah, which was incredible!”
What’s been the most memorable moment you’ve had with Miami Hammers?
“The most memorable moments so far have been making connections with new people with a common interest. I have over ten new friends in the Miami area who I would never have met otherwise. In addition, twice during the 2024/25 season, people from London who were in Miami for a vacation reached out to the Miami Hammers and joined us for watch parties!”
Have you visited London Stadium for a live game in-person?
“Yes, I've been to two games at London Stadium. I started watching the Premier League during the pandemic, but I didn't really have a team. My first in-person West Ham game was against Chelsea in December 2021, which we won 3-2, and I was hooked after that.”
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?
“Overall, the members are very excited! A few of us, including me, are going to the Everton match in Chicago, and a couple of members are planning to go to New Jersey as well.”
Which players are you most excited about seeing in the flesh?
“Luckily, I went to the open training session last year in Tampa, where I got to meet all the players, which was awesome! But I'm looking forward to seeing Jarrod Bowen in action again during the Summer Series, for sure.”
How ‘massive’ is West Ham United in the United States?
“I think it's growing, which is fun to be a part of. It's fun seeing the reaction of people when they see your jersey as it's not one of the more obvious Premier League teams, which makes it feel more authentic as they know you are really a fan.”
What do you think the Club should do to continue growing the fanbase across the United States in the future?
“I'm biased, but I think Miami is the soccer Mecca of the USA. Miami has David Beckham, Lionel Messi, FIFA's newest office and a huge Latin American population crazy for soccer. I think highlighting Latin American players, like Edson Álvarez and Lucas Paquetá, to the US Latin American population is a great opportunity. I know you can't make it all about the players, but the Latino soccer fans are diehards. Telemundo has the USA Premier League Spanish language TV rights, so I think there is an opportunity there.”
How can other supporters join Miami Hammers?
“We have our own Instagram account (@miamihammers), which is the best way of connecting with us.”
Wherever you are in the world, being part of an Official Supporters' Club (OSC) is a great way to come together to show your support for West Ham United in your local area and to meet fellow Hammers who share the same passion as you for the Claret and Blue Army.
With Supporters Club branches representing the West Ham Family all around the globe, creating or joining a Supporters' Club will bring you closer to your Club than ever before. Find out how to join or set up an Official Supporters' Club programme HERE.
For any enquiries or assistance, please contact [email protected]
