Chelsea FC in the U.S.: One of the Most Recognizable Clubs Overseas.

Roger Hampel

Photo: Chelsea FC

With Chelsea FC officially securing a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup Final 2025, set to take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the club's long-term strategy in the U.S. market is bearing fruit. Years of commercial groundwork, brand localization, and sustained fan engagement have positioned Chelsea not only as a global football powerhouse, but as one of the most resonant European clubs in the American landscape.

From London to the U.S.: The Rise in Popularity

According to Morning Consult, Chelsea ranks as the 4th most popular Premier League club in the United States, with over 57% of American Premier League fans expressing a favorable view of the club. Only Liverpool, Manchester United, and Manchester City rank higher. Surveys from YouGov also estimate that 50% of the U.S. population is aware of Chelsea, with 27% holding a positive opinion—a significant figure in a non-football-dominant country.

Chelsea’s viewership metrics reinforce that popularity. Their 2024/25 Premier League opener against Manchester City drew over 2.2 million U.S. viewers across NBC, Telemundo, and Peacock platforms—marking a record-breaking start to the EPL season in U.S. broadcast history (source: industry tracking data).

But it wasn’t just about broadcasting. The arrival of Christian Pulisic in 2019 gave the club a cultural bridge into the American fanbase. His debut broke NBCSN viewing records, and his shirt became the second best-selling football jersey in the U.S. in 2020, trailing only Lionel Messi's (according to apparel market data).

American Ownership Driving U.S. Strategy

Chelsea’s intensified presence in the United States is also a direct result of its American-led ownership. Since acquiring the club in 2022, a consortium headed by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital has prioritized expanding Chelsea’s footprint in the U.S. market. Boehly, who also holds stakes in the LA Dodgers and LA Lakers, has actively promoted the Club World Cup 2025 and participated in American sports business summits as Chelsea’s chairman.

The ownership group’s familiarity with the U.S. consumer landscape has accelerated Chelsea’s commercial partnerships, marketing activations, and grassroots programs across the country—making the American market a central pillar of the club’s global growth strategy.

Photo: Chelsea FC

Stadiums Packed, Tours Sold Out Chelsea FC U.S.

Chelsea has leaned heavily into the power of pre-season tours. From Florida to California, the club has become a consistent draw across major NFL stadiums.

• In 2022, Chelsea’s match against Arsenal in Orlando attracted 63,811 fans, setting a record attendance at Camping World Stadium for a football match.

• In 2023, Chelsea's clash with Newcastle in Atlanta pulled in 70,789 spectators, filling 99% of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s capacity.

• Across the 2023 Premier League Summer Series, matches featuring Chelsea averaged over 60,000 attendees, while those without the Blues averaged below 30,000 (source: event organizers).

In cities like Philadelphia, Chapel Hill, and Chicago, Chelsea’s presence drove not only ticket sales but entire local economies, with estimated multi-million-dollar boosts from fan travel and spending (source: economic impact assessments).

Chelsea vs. Arsenal in Orlando | Photo: Chelsea FC

Commercial Footprint and Brand Collaborations

Chelsea’s commercial expansion in the U.S. has been strategic and consistent.

• Nike, a U.S.-based brand, signed a long-term kit partnership with Chelsea through 2032, worth an estimated £900 million. This deal ensures deep retail penetration in American stores and e-commerce platforms.

  
  

• Twilio, a San Francisco-based tech company, became the club’s official communications partner in 2025, helping drive personalized fan engagement using advanced data solutions.

  
  

• Constant Contact, headquartered in Massachusetts, became the official training wear partner for Chelsea Women.

  
  

• FICO, a U.S. analytics firm, partnered with Chelsea during their U.S. tours to promote financial education among youth through the Score A Better Future initiative, co-hosted with the U.S. Soccer Foundation.

  
  

According to multiple marketing sources, Chelsea’s partnerships are increasingly U.S.-centric, leveraging both technology and CSR to deepen their cultural presence.

Chelsea FC and FICO team up to promote financial empowerment on summer USA tour 2023 | Photo: Chelsea FC

The Power of the American Fanbase

Chelsea in America—the club's dedicated supporter network—coordinates over 45 official supporters’ groups across the U.S., including major chapters in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston. These groups facilitate local match viewings, merchandise access, ticket coordination, and fan travel, acting as Chelsea’s unofficial U.S. backbone.

Even without a permanent office in the States, Chelsea has managed to foster a fully functional commercial and community infrastructure, backed by pop-up shops during tours, Americanized online stores (e.g., US Megastore), and social media content tailored to U.S. time zones and trends.

Chelsea Tour 2022 | Photo: Chelsea FC

Chelsea’s Role in U.S. Football Development

Beyond commerce, Chelsea has played an active role in soccer development across the country:

• Through the Chelsea Foundation, the club has delivered youth soccer clinics, camps, and coaching education in states like Virginia and North Carolina.

  
  

• Chelsea has partnered with local sports facilities—such as The St. James in Virginia—to provide "Chelsea Way" day camps coached by certified trainers from the UK.

  
  

• The club has also supported grassroots programs in underserved communities, with donations, kit deliveries, and mini-pitch developments aligned with its U.S. tours.

  
  

Chelsea has featured twice in the MLS All-Star Game (2006, 2012), helping elevate the status of Major League Soccer and its players, and fostering professional cooperation between European and American football institutions.

FIFA Club World Cup Final 2025: Chelsea’s U.S. Crown Moment

Now, Chelsea finds itself back on U.S. soil—but this time for silverware. Having qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Final, Chelsea will return to the States not just for pre-season fanfare, but to compete for a global title in front of an American audience. The final, hosted at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, is expected to draw over 80,000 fans in-stadium and millions more via global and U.S. broadcast platforms.

The club has already begun promoting its “World Champions” narrative—reviving its 2022 Club World Cup victory—and rolling out marketing activations in the U.S., including branded content, special-edition merchandise, and social media engagement campaigns focused on American fans.

Industry experts project the final to generate tens of millions in media value, particularly if Chelsea lifts the trophy once again on American soil (source: sports marketing analysts).