Would a Premier League North Vs. South All-Star Game Attract Fans?


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Ever since new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly suggested that the Premier League follow the example of American sports of holding an all-star north vs. south game, there has been a wide debate – but would fans be interested?

In England, Boehly’s suggestion has been widely shot down by fans and pundits alike with many taking the stance that it simply wouldn’t work on this side of the Atlantic. Despite that assertion, it hasn’t stopped fans and publications from creating their north and south elevens and springing the debate as to which team would win a supposed all-star game.

The intrigue is obvious and, while it would unlikely never become an annual tradition, a one-off fixture would undoubtedly bring about curiosity. It has never been done before and the game in itself would throw up so many side stories (i.e. rivals playing side-by-side).

Would Fans be Invested in a North Vs. South Game?

Fans spend copious amounts of their hard-earned money following their teams with the dream of seeing their captain lift football trophies at the end of the season. They live and breathe their clubs day in and day out, regardless of whether it’s matchday or not.

A one-off game would struggle to capture the imagination of fans in this way. Football is tribal and bragging rights are huge, when a team wins the instinct for supporters is to have some fun at the expense of fans of the losing side. Would fans care if ‘their’ team won/lost an all-star game? Probably not.

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It is no secret that many fans of Premier League clubs do not reside in the traditional catchment area of the club. They might, therefore, not have an affinity to either the north or south team. 

As a spectacle, fans would probably tune in as curiosity sets in, but it certainly wouldn’t be the highlight of the footballing calendar.

When Would a North Vs. South All-Star Game Take Place?

Logistically, there isn’t an awful lot of room in the calendar for such an exhibition – as Premier League managers would, no doubt, be quick to remind us. Squads reconvene for pre-season training in July and play through to the end of May – with an international tournament taking place during the summer months every other year.

Clubs aren’t going to be keen to release their top players to participate in an exhibition that does nothing for the club. While clubs are dutybound to release players for international duty, there would likely be no such clause on clubs to allow players to participate in any north vs. south game.

The only semi-realistic time that such a game could happen would be at the end of the season in a non-international tournament year. Even then, the only thing that players want to do is to jet off on holiday and rest up ready for the next season – unless there was a considerable financial incentive, players would likely bin it off and, as such, devalue the game.

For fans to be interested, the best players would have to feature – no one would be interested in seeing a team made up of fringe players. Tickets wouldn’t sell and broadcasters wouldn’t see favourable viewership figures which, as we know in 2022, is the most important thing.

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Would it Work?

On paper, the idea of the best XI northern-based players taking on the best XI southern-based players is an interesting concept. In reality, it probably wouldn’t work due to the logistics of making it happen.

Unless it was a genuine all-star game, with the likes of Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, and Mo Salah taking part, fans would be unlikely to buy into the notion.


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Abhay Singh

Abhay Singh is a seasoned digital marketing expert with over 7 years of experience in crafting effective marketing strategies and executing successful campaigns. He excels in SEO, social media, and PPC advertising.