Bournemouth Owner Bill Foley Opposes Premier League Matches Outside England.
Bournemouth owner Bill Foley has stated he would not support any plan to play Premier League games outside England. Speaking exclusively to BBC Sport during his club’s pre-season tour of the United States in Santa Barbara, Foley emphasised his respect for the tradition of the game and its fans.
Foley, who also owns the Vegas Golden Knights NHL franchise that won the Stanley Cup in 2023, made clear his stance on maintaining the integrity of the Premier League by keeping its matches in the UK.
“In terms of playing actual Premier League matches in America? We should play in the UK. That is where they belong. I am very respectful of our fans and the whole system. I wouldn’t want to be involved in changing any of that,” said Foley. “I believe if you talk to our fans at Bournemouth, they think Foley actually respects our system and respects our heritage. And I do. Premier League games in America? No.”
In May, FIFA announced the establishment of a working group to assess the potential impact of competitive domestic matches being played overseas. While the Premier League has expressed no current plans to participate, Spain’s La Liga is considering staging games in the United States during the 2025-26 season. Despite this, Foley remains steadfast in his belief that Premier League games should remain in the UK.
Bournemouth are one of ten Premier League teams playing pre-season games in the United States this summer. Foley views these pre-season fixtures as the appropriate extent of international play for the club.
“I believe what we are doing today – and there are other pre-season games – is what we should be doing,” said Foley.
Foley, who reportedly paid £120 million for Bournemouth in December 2022, made headlines with the controversial decision to sack manager Gary O’Neil in June 2023 despite the club finishing 15th. However, this decision was vindicated as Bournemouth finished 12th last season under new manager Andoni Iraola.
In addition to Bournemouth, Foley’s Black Knights Sports and Entertainment group holds significant stakes in French club Lorient, A-League outfit Auckland FC, and Scottish Premiership side Hibernian. Foley also discussed Bournemouth’s European ambitions and the future of striker Dominic Solanke, who scored 19 goals in the Premier League last term.
Foley’s commitment to respecting the heritage and fan base of English football underscores his vision for Bournemouth and the Premier League. As the debate over playing competitive matches abroad continues, Foley’s stance reflects a broader sentiment among traditionalists within the sport.
