New Jersey Governor keen to host Premier League and Champions League matches

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy would love to bring competitive Premier League and Champions League matches to the state.

Football is thriving in North America right now, with Lionel Messi joining Major League Soccer side Inter Miami three years out from the USA, Mexico and Canada hosting the World Cup.

The so-called ’39th’ Premier League game has been discussed before and UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin recently hinted that a Champions League final could one day be played in the US.

“I know that the clubs have not been wild about that in Europe but I’d love to think that it would happen,” Murphy said.

“You would have Barcelona playing Real Madrid in New Jersey at some point in a regular season or in a Champions League game. I would love that.

“I would just appeal either to the Champions League, if that’s UEFA, and play a game here.

“I can say unequivocally, we would die to have a real competitive game anywhere in America. If it was in New York-New Jersey, you wouldn’t get near that game.

“It would be overwhelming. To have a Champions League game, you wouldn’t be able to get near it.”

Murphy was speaking in a media briefing on Saturday before cavernous MetLife Stadium recorded its highest ever attendance for a club football match.

There were 82,262 in attendance for Manchester United’s 2-0 friendly win over Arsenal at a stadium that Murphy believes should host the 2026 World Cup final.

New York-New Jersey is also among the host cities and Murphy believes the showpiece should come to East Rutherford.

“We’re fighting like heck to get the final, which is to be determined,” Murphy said.

United States