Premier League Fan Fest Draws Thousands to Tampa Bay

April 21, 2026

By Arturo Zapote-Lora | PR Football Writer

While many in Tampa were in bed at 6am, thousands gathered at Armature Works for the Premier League Fan Fest hosted by NBC Sports over the weekend.  

Jerseys on, coffee in hand, and chanting from all around the venue made for the perfect matchday atmosphere. With 15,000 in attendance across both days, fans from some of the biggest teams in the English Premier League gathered to watch these games on massive outdoor screens.

On center stage in front of the crowd were Tim Howard and Alan Shearer, some of the Premier League's legends. Alongside them were Robbie Mustoe, Robbie Earle, and fan favorite Rebecca Lowe, who received a loud applause when introduced. 

On arrival Saturday morning, several hundred fans waited in line for the doors to open. A cluster of red Manchester United and Arsenal jerseys mixed with blue Chelsea and Manchester City jerseys filled the lines. On entry, mascots of the clubs like Mighty Red of Liverpool and Cherry Bear of AFC Bournemouth greeted fans. 

However, a small group huddled around Rebecca Lowe to be part of the Premier League Mornings Live broadcast as it started. Those in the broadcast were clapping and cheering as they marched towards the stage and gathered in the viewing area. 

Others were taking photos with the Premier League trophy and getting drinks before the watch party started. “It’s never too early to drink. In England, it’s like twelve o’clock,” said Jake, a Leeds United supporter from the Bay Area. 

As the day went on, the crowd kept growing. An official stated that Saturday alone had over 6,000 registrations. 

Many around the venue looked for shade and water as the weather during the day was not ideal for viewers. AccuWeather reported temperatures as high as 88° with a humidity of 50%. “Other than the fact that it was really hot, I loved watching the games with everyone. It's very exciting to experience,” said David, a Manchester United supporter after the day had concluded. 

As the final game of the day finished – Manchester United vs. Chelsea – hundreds were waving their Man United flags as the team had won 1-0. Many chanted, “Glory Glory Man United” as they were exiting the venue to head home and rest up for another day of Fan Fest action. 

Saturday featured a mix of supporters from different teams. For Sunday, however, the venue filled with a majority of either two teams, Manchester City and Arsenal.  

After the Liverpool vs. Everton match that came before, thousands began to fill up the viewing areas. Officials stated the area reached capacity and couldn’t allow more fans in for safety precautions. 

Blue and red flags waved high up in the air as the match began. Some began to chant City’s anthem and rally up supporters while others watched in suspense. 

Manchester City scored the first goal of the game and the crowd erupted into cheers. However, not even two minutes later, those cheers were cut short as Arsenal scored, allowing fans to burst into celebrations. 

At halftime, the hosts on stage began asking trivia questions and handed free fan gear to those near. The coverage returning after commercial breaks gave fans the opportunity to be on camera from the crane or the drone above. 

When the game resumed, the crowd grew louder than when it had started. Chants of “Cmon City, Cmon City” and “Arsenal, Arsenal” were heard everywhere. 

Water, beer and sodas were thrown everywhere as Manchester City scored, giving the crowd another reason to celebrate. Silence from the Arsenal supporters as the match concluded.

While the Arsenal supporters walked off, Manchester City supporters stayed to cheer, take photos with one another, and be on camera celebrating their team's win.  

The Premier League Fan Fest has also been held in other major cities such as Miami, New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. The growing support for soccer and the English Premier League has expanded over the past decade. Many factors contributed to its growth, but NBC's coverage has played a major role in increasing the league's American fanbase. While speaking with Aaron, an Arsenal supporter from England, he said, "Football in America has grown so much. I remember being at the event in Boston, and it was definitely not as big as it is here."