’39th Game’ NOT Being Considered As Premier League Clubs Look Into Playing Matches Abroad

’39th Game’ NOT Being Considered As Premier League Clubs Look Into Playing Matches Abroad

Premier League clubs are not looking to revive plans to play some fixtures abroad, according to Sky Sports News.

Proposals for a “39th game” were first looked into all the way back in 2008 but, after significant opposition from the likes of FIFA and other organisations, teams opted against the idea.


It is believed that discussions have now restarted about playing more matches in foreign countries. However, Sky claim that these plans only relate to creating more preseason-friendly tournaments in order to capitalise financially on interest abroad.

Currently, there is only one tournament, the Asia Trophy, which is officially sanctioned by the Premier League, and it is likely that more of these types of competitions will be set up in different countries in the future.

The aim is to try and get more games played that are more “competitive”, but it must be pointed out that they will still only be glorified friendlies.


David Tully

David Tully

David has worked as a football reporter for the last fifteen years. Having started as an intern at Snack Media, he then went on to become a freelancer, working on various different sites. At the start of 2023, he took up his current role as content writer for National World's Football News Network.