Wolverhampton Wanderers has named Visit Lauderdale as its official destination partner for the 2024/25 season.
This agreement follows Wolves’ two-week pre-season training camp in Greater Fort Lauderdale as part of its US tour earlier this year, in which the club visited several locations in the area, including the Everglades at Sawgrass Recreational Park.
Russell Jones, General Manager for Marketing and Commercial Growth at Wolves, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Visit Lauderdale to the Wolves family as our official destination partner. Having experienced Greater Fort Lauderdale first-hand during our recent US Tour, I have become its biggest fan – it is a truly incredible place to visit.
“The beautiful beaches of Greater Fort Lauderdale, combined with the lively nightlife, provided our players & staff with the ideal blend of relaxation and adventure. We are absolutely delighted to be able to extend the warm welcome we received from Visit Lauderdale during our stay into an official partnership.”
In July, the club’s first team participated in the inaugural Stateside Cup before playing a match against Champions League side RB Leipzig at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, the home of MLS club Inter Miami CF.
Stacy Ritter, President and CEO of Visit Lauderdale, said: “We are excited to partner with Wolverhampton Wanderers as their official destination partner. This international collaboration highlights Greater Fort Lauderdale’s global appeal and underscores our commitment to bringing people from around the world to experience the vibrancy and diversity of our region.
“We look forward to celebrating this partnership and inviting Wolves fans from across the globe to explore all that Greater Fort Lauderdale has to offer.”
The US has become a lucrative market for Premier League clubs, as the competition’s presence continues to grow in the country. Some clubs, such as Manchester United and Liverpool, have existing connections in the market through their ownership structures.
Many clubs see the US as an opportunity to expand their international fan base and boost revenue. To achieve this, teams take a similar pathway to Wolves and host their pre-season tours in the region.
These tours last only a few weeks, limiting the impact clubs can make. This has led to speculation that Premier League matches could eventually be played in the US. However, the idea has faced significant opposition from UK fan groups.
