Leeds United Announce Long-Awaited USA Return with Three-Game Summer Tour Featuring Liverpool Clash in Chicago

Leeds United have confirmed their summer 2026 pre-season plans — and it’s a trip that has been nearly three decades in the making.

For the first time in 29 years, the Whites will return to the United States for a three-game tour that promises glamour fixtures, major venues and a significant boost to the club’s growing global profile. Supporters across the Atlantic will finally get the chance to see Daniel Farke’s side up close as Leeds base themselves on the East Coast for a packed pre-season schedule that includes meetings with Wrexham AFC, Sunderland AFC and reigning Premier League champions Liverpool.

Tampa Kick-Off Against Wrexham

The tour begins in Florida on Saturday July 25, when Leeds face Championship high-flyers Wrexham at the iconic Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.

Wrexham, who have continued their remarkable rise in English football, are currently pushing for promotion and will provide a competitive early test for Farke’s squad. The fixture offers Leeds an opportunity to build fitness in high temperatures while also tapping into Florida’s passionate and diverse football audience.

Tampa has increasingly become a hub for major sporting events, and the 65,000-capacity stadium — home to the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers — ensures a big-stage feel from the very first whistle of Leeds’ pre-season preparations.

New Jersey Showdown with Sunderland

Leeds will then head north to New Jersey for a Premier League reunion with Sunderland on Thursday July 30. The match will be staged at the Sports Illustrated Stadium, home of New York Red Bulls.

Sunderland’s impressive return to the top flight this season has added renewed edge to meetings between the two clubs, and this clash could provide a glimpse into what might lie ahead domestically in the 2026/27 campaign.

For Leeds supporters in the New York metropolitan area — one of the largest and most diverse sports markets in the world — the game represents a rare opportunity to watch their side live without crossing the Atlantic. The East Coast setting also reflects the club’s strategic push to strengthen its footprint in North America, where Premier League interest continues to surge.

Chicago Finale Against Champions Liverpool

The headline fixture of the tour arrives on Sunday August 2, when Leeds face Liverpool at the historic Soldier Field — home to both Chicago Fire FC and the NFL’s Chicago Bears.

Liverpool, champions in 2024/25, will provide elite-level opposition in what promises to be one of the standout pre-season fixtures anywhere in the world. Leeds will draw confidence from having gone unbeaten against the Reds during the current campaign, a detail that adds extra intrigue to the Chicago showdown.

Soldier Field’s rich sporting history and lakeside backdrop make it one of America’s most recognisable venues. A strong turnout is expected, not only from local supporters but also from travelling fans eager to combine football with a summer city break.

Preparing for 2026/27 in Style

Beyond the glamour of the fixtures, Leeds’ hierarchy are focused firmly on performance preparation. Chief business officer Morrie Eisenberg highlighted the importance of combining commercial growth with elite training standards, stressing that the club will have access to top-tier facilities throughout the trip.

The tour is designed to give Daniel Farke and his staff the right balance between competitive minutes and tactical groundwork ahead of the new Premier League season. Pre-season in the United States has become increasingly popular among English clubs, offering high-quality infrastructure alongside commercial opportunities.

Fan engagement will also be central to the trip. Leeds plan to host supporter events in each city, strengthening ties with American-based Whites who have waited nearly 30 years for another stateside appearance.

A Statement of Intent

This announcement sends a clear signal about Leeds United’s ambitions both on and off the pitch. After battling through the intensity of Premier League survival this term, the club are now looking forward with confidence.

Facing Wrexham offers competitive sharpness. Sunderland provides familiar rivalry. Liverpool supplies global spotlight. The blend ensures that Leeds will not simply be going through the motions — they will be tested.

Pre-sale tickets for all three matches go on sale on Tuesday March 10 at 4pm, and demand is expected to be high given the rarity of the occasion.

For Leeds supporters in the United States, the countdown has begun. For those travelling from West Yorkshire, it’s the perfect excuse for a summer adventure. And for Daniel Farke’s squad, it represents the first step toward what they hope will be a more comfortable Premier League campaign in 2026/27.

Nearly three decades after their last American visit, Leeds United are finally heading back across the pond — and they’re doing it in style.