West Ham United are making waves in the United States as the summer Premier League tour draws near.
The Hammers are set to showcase their skills in a four-team pre-season tournament against Manchester United, Everton, and AFC Bournemouth, with double-header fixtures scheduled in New Jersey, Chicago, and Atlanta.
Graham Potter’s outfit has already begun stirring excitement Stateside. In Chicago, where football passion meets deep-dish tradition, former West Ham striker and Club ambassador Marlon Harewood teamed up with Hammerhead—the Hammers’ beloved mascot—and the iconic Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria.
Together, they delighted locals by handing out West Ham-branded pizzas near famous landmarks throughout the city. It was a celebration that perfectly captured the spirit of both American flavour and English football flair.
The Windy City played its part to perfection. Following an appearance at the Chicago Bulls’ impressive win over the Brooklyn Nets, Harewood hit the streets on Friday at Soldier Field (home to the Chicago Bears and the venue for the upcoming Everton clash), as well as at Buckingham Fountain, along Lake Michigan, and beside the Chicago River.
In all, he distributed 137 mouthwatering pizzas in West Ham boxes, marking the countdown to the Premier League Summer Series face-off against Everton at the iconic Soldier Field.
Ahead of Saturday’s Goodison Park meeting with Everton, Harewood will join the Chicago Hammers at AJ Hudson’s Public House to cheer on his team.
As he put it: “We are delighted to be in Chicago this weekend to embrace the city and meet with people to celebrate our involvement in the exciting Premier League Summer Series.
We met so many amazing people and spread the West Ham cheer to the people of the city. We can’t wait to see all the Hammers fans at Solider Field when we come back to Chicago in July”
The enthusiasm wasn’t limited to the pitch. Marc Malnati, Owner of Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, added:
“We are happy to partner with West Ham United FC and are excited to welcome the team to Chicago,” said Marc Malnati, Owner of Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria.
“We want to bring fans together and look forward to watching their games this summer. We can’t wait to serve the team some legendary deep-dish pizza and will be doing giveaways with them to celebrate the series.”
The Chicago Hammers, one of the most dedicated Official Supporters’ Groups around the globe, have been rallying behind the club since 2011, turning every matchday at AJ Hudson’s into a spirited celebration of the Claret and Blue Army.
With over 130 registered Official Supporters’ Clubs worldwide, fans everywhere have found a home to express their passion for West Ham United.
For those eager to join in on the excitement, tickets for the Premier League Summer Series are now on general sale via Ticketmaster.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or new to the action, the tour promises to be a feast of football, fun, and fantastic community spirit.