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From England to Philly: Premier League draws 105,000+ fans as it kicks off summer series at the Linc

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Fans got to witness some of England's finest players from the Premier League in Philadelphia this weekend. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)

Soccer teams from the Premier League in England hopped across the pond this weekend to showcase their prowess in America’s first-ever Premier League Summer Series.

Philadelphia was the series’ first U.S. host city, with 105,360 fans filling up Lincoln Financial Field over the course of two days.

“I’ve met people from Australia, from England, from like Indiana, and California,” T.J. Fogarty, a supporter of Fulham FC, said while standing outside the stadium Sunday afternoon. “It’s just incredible being surrounded by people who share the same love for the club as you do.”

Fulham supporter T.J. Fogarty got to hang out with Billy Badger ahead of the Sunday doubleheader at Lincoln Financial Field. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)

When Fogarty returned to Philly after spending part of childhood in England, he was shocked by the league’s level of American support.

The summer series gives many of those supporters the opportunity to see their favorite clubs in person for the first time.

Colin Passey on Sunday fondly recalled his relationship with father and their shared love of Brentford. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)

Colin Passey grew up in Brentford, West London, where his favorite club, Brentford FC, is based but moved to New Jersey later in life. He reminisced on the connection he and his late father had through the club.

“My dad passed away three months before Brentford got up to the Premier League, so he never saw them get to the Premier League,” Passey said. “It’ll be pretty emotional today for my family to see Brentford playing, almost like he orchestrated it so that the first game they’re playing is in Philadelphia because we’re literally across the bridge.”

Brentford fell to Fulham 3-2 in the first match of Sunday’s double-header.  On Saturday, Chelsea beat Brighton 4-3. Following the win, Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino called his time in Philadelphia “amazing.”

“The fans are unbelievable. Yes, I love to play here in [the] U.S.A.,” Pochettino said. And for the players, it’s been a treat to play in the City of Brotherly Love.”

USMNT and Fulham defender Tim Ream says the game of soccer has grown “leaps and bounds” in the U.S. since he began playing in England. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)

Tim Ream, a Fulham defender and a U.S. Men’s National Team member, was born in St. Louis, but has lived in England for more than a decade.

“To come to these types of places, these cities, play good competition and … drive down the street and see all of the kids … kicking a football around and seeing the level of excitement,” he said, “it’s exciting to be back.”

American supporters of Premier League teams, such as Brentford, got to witness their favorite teams in action over the weekend.(Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Brentford players Bryan Mbeumo and Mathias Jensen plot out their corner kick strategy during the first half. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Fulham winger Willian signed a kit before the match against Brentford on Sunday. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Brentford forward Yoane Wissa scores the team's first goal during the Premier League Summer Series match on Sunday. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Chelsea fans celebrate after forward Christopher Nkunku's goal against Brighton on Saturday. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Brighton and Hove Albion had its fair share of supporters show out on Saturday as they took on Chelsea FC in a 4-3 losing effort. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Chelsea FC supporters packed Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday for the first ever Premier League Summer Series. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella high fives a fan shortly before taking the pitch at Lincoln Financial Field on July 22, 2023. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Brighton forward João Pedro converts a penalty against Chelsea in the 79th minute of the first Premier League Summer Series match at Lincoln Financial Field. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Brighton forward Kaoru Mitoma (right) goes one-on-one against Chelsea defender Malo Gusto in a tense first half that ended 1-1. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku scores against Brighton in the first half of the opening match on the first day of the Premier League Summer Series. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Brentford supporters flew in from London, England and Portland, Oregon to witness their favorite Premier League team in Philadelphia. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Newcastle United fans lined up in their slick black and white kits (and the navy third kit) while tailgating at Lincoln Financial Field. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Fans started lining up hours ahead of the Sunday doubleheader at the Premier League Summer Series. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)

Aston Villa and Newcastle United closed out the Sunday doubleheader, with neither side pulling away, ending in a 3-3 draw.

Football fans young and old flocked to the second match of Sunday's doubleheader at Lincoln Financial Field for the Premier League Summer Series. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak trots away after scoring a goal in the first half against Aston Villa on Sunday. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Newcastle United midfielder Miguel Almirón splits three Aston Villa defenders during Sunday's closing match of the Premier League Summer Series. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Newcastle United supporters took over an end zone at Lincoln Financial Field for the Premier League Summer Series on Sunday. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Football fans young and old flocked to the second match of Sunday's doubleheader at Lincoln Financial Field for the Premier League Summer Series. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Aston Villa goalkeeper and World Cup winner Emiliano Martínez pumps up the crowd following a goal against Newcastle United. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Football fans young and old flocked to the second match of Sunday's doubleheader at Lincoln Financial Field for the Premier League Summer Series. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Football fans young and old flocked to the second match of Sunday's doubleheader at Lincoln Financial Field for the Premier League Summer Series. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
The Aston Villa supporters section became 'Villadelphia' for Sunday's Premier League doubleheader at Lincoln Financial Field. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
A lady plays keep away with her short lived souvenir before tossing the ball back onto the pitch. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)
Supporters of Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez turned up Sunday evening to watch him take on Newcastle United. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)

The summer series will continue Wednesday, July 26 in Atlanta and Orlando before coming back east. Matches will take place in Harrison, New Jersey on Friday, July 28, and in Landover, Maryland on Sunday, July 30, respectively. The Premier League kicks off on August 11.

In 2026, Philadelphia will be one of 16 North American cities to host matches for the FIFA World Cup.

Saturdays just got more interesting.

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