Liverpool FC Sets Exhibition Match in Pittsburgh

If there’s any city in America that knows football, it’s Pittsburgh, home of the iconic six-time champion Steelers.

But in recent years, led by the success of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, the city’s begun to learn a lot more about the “other” football—you know, the most popular sport on the planet, the one Americans call soccer.

The sport’s growing popularity in Western Pennsylvania will get a big boost in July when English Premier League side Liverpool FC, one of the most popular and successful clubs in the world, takes on Spanish side Real Betis at Acrisure Stadium.

The match will launch Liverpool’s previously announced exhibition season tour in the U.S., which already lined up competitions against other legendary EPL teams.

“We were delighted to quickly sell out our fixtures against Arsenal and Manchester United on this tour and are equally excited to be able to offer our supporters in the States another opportunity to see Liverpool FC play,” said Ben Latty, the club’s commercial director.

“Real Betis will come with a strong squad and it’s going to be a great occasion in another iconic setting, in another fantastic U.S. city.”

Pittsburgh is well accustomed to fans flocking to the city for a noteworthy sporting event, and the July 26 match will be no different. English fans can easily cross the pond on one of British Airways’ six nonstop flights per week between London Heathrow and Pittsburgh International Airport. The successful flights have been taking travelers between Pittsburgh and Europe since relaunching post-pandemic in 2022.

Liverpool last played Real Betis in 2005 in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League. Neither has played in Pittsburgh before, but Fenway Sports Group, majority owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins, also owns Liverpool.

“No doubt, this game excites us for a set of different reasons,” said Real Betis’ CEO Ramon Alarcon. “Playing against a great club like Liverpool FC is a chance for us to measure our potential. … It will be nice to meet again after 19 years.”

Afterwards, fans from here and abroad will no doubt celebrate with an Iron City beer and Primanti’s sandwich, among other Pittsburgh delights. Tickets for the July 26 match are on sale now.