Crystal Palace are now in America on tour, but what will the financial impact of this be on the club, here we’ve explained all.
The past six months have seen nothing but improvements around Selhurst Park both on and off the pitch, and now the Eagles are over in the US in a bid to improve the club’s image.
Here, Crystal Palace will take on Wolves and West Ham over the next five days before returning to South London to prepare for the upcoming season.
This tour follows outings against Charlton and Crawley, with the latter being a wild 6-3 win to Palace.
But off the pitch, what will be the effects of Palace’s week in the US? Let’s find out.
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What is the financial effect of Crystal Palace’s US tour
In order to understand the impact the tour has on Palace financially, we have spoken with TBR’s finance expert Adam Williams.
He explained that the United States is seen as a goldmine by European clubs, with the trip being favoured over Japan or China more often recently.
“It isn’t just the so-called Big Six that think there is gold in the hills in the United States.
“Palace’s decision to tour the US is a smart albeit obvious move and one I think could be worth several million pounds in commercial income.
“I personally think it is most cost-effective for a club of Palace’s stature to visit an English-speaking country than, say, Korea or Japan.
“You can incrementally grow your brand in those territories, but there is scope for more exponential growth in the US.
“As well as promoter fees, commercial tie-ins and a cut of ticket sales, the club are nurturing what Steve Parish has said is an expanding fanbase in the States.”
After mentioning that the Eagles could earn several million from the tour, he continued to discuss Palace expanding the fanbase and growing as a club, the brilliant comedy series Ted Lasso gets a mention.
“Incidentally, I don’t think the Tad Lasso factor should be sniffed at here at all.
“For many US fans, that programme will have been their first touch point with the Premier League. The fact the show is filmed at Selhurst Park is, therefore, a genuine selling point.”
The real reason clubs are targeting the American market
While the US has always been a place clubs went for pre-season, it’s been far more prominent in recent years, and this could have something to do with the 2026 World Cup, as Adam explains.
“Commercial income is growth area targeted by Steve Parish and a recent report from industry experts CLV Group projects that £850m of sponsorship and merchandise revenue is available to European clubs in the US before the 2026 World Cup.
“Most of that will go to established, Champions League clubs. But there is a land grab in the US at the moment, and Palace is right in trying to capitalise.”
With £850m available – while the majority is likely going to the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal – it’s easy to see why Palace are targeting growth in the US.
In a country who are finally starting to adopt football ahead of the World Cup, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance for Palace to build a US fanbase.
