German giant Borussia Dortmund announced plans for a US tour in the summer of 2023 for pre-season. With the United States among the hosts of the 2026 World Cup, Borussia Dortmund are looking to grow their brand across the pond.
“North America, but also Greater America, are very important markets for us,” explained team managing director Carsten Cramer. “It is a logical consequence that we return to the United States next summer.”
“We are happy to have made our plans for Southeast Asia this year and the United States next year. It won’t be the last time we go.”
In the summer of 2022, Dortmund played all of their summer friendlies in Austria and Germany. However, Dortmund have a list of three games scheduled for a rare November tour of Southeast Asia. This time off comes as a result of the 2022 World Cup. While there, the Black and Yellows play Indonesian clubs Persib Bandung and Persebaya Surabaya. Then Dortmund travel to Singapore to play Lion City Sailors to top off the trip.
Borussia Dortmund returns with US tour in 2023
The last time the German club came to the United States was in 2019. That American tour of Borussia Dortmund included games against the Seattle Sounders and then defending Champions League champions Liverpool. Giovanni Reyna, 16, started that game for Dortmund against the Merseyside club.
Cramer also suggested during the press conference that his team has a developing growth in social media here in the United States. American Christian Pulisic certainly helped this uptick in Dortmund’s popularity. Cramer previously acknowledged this in a 2018 interview. “We have a very, very attractive door opener, which makes it easier to meet people, especially the younger generation,” Cramer said.
“In the young generation, soccer has a greater relevance. If you have one of his generation wearing a black and yellow shirt, it gives us a deeper and more intense impact than without him (Pulisic). We look at the digital reach, the followers when we introduce ourselves to the American public.”
Although Pulisic is now at Chelsea, Dortmund’s popularity is still very strong. The club is widely regarded as the second most popular Bundesliga team behind Bayern Munich. The numbers suggest that the gap between the two German rivals may be closing.
PHOTO: IMAGO / Revierfoto
