West Ham United are returning to the United States this summer for the 2025 Premier League Summer Series.
The Hammers will take on Manchester United at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Saturday 26 July, Everton at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois on Wednesday 30 July, and AFC Bournemouth at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday 3 August.
Head Coach Graham Potter and his squad can be sure of a warm welcome from the many thousands of members of the Claret and Blue Army who call the US home.
The Stateside fanbase is comprised of both Americans and expatriates, many of whom are members of the many Official Supporters’ Clubs set up to provide the West Ham family with homes from home on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.
As part of the build-up to the Premier League Summer Series, whufc.com has spoken to those who run those Supporters’ Clubs, looking ahead to watching their team from London in action over the coming weeks.
This week, we catch up with Detroit Hammers founder Josh Hatmaker about the noise West Ham United are making in the Motor City…
Can you talk us through the origins of Detroit Hammers?
“There are a handful of supporter groups in Detroit for other clubs we don’t need to mention, and I was determined to create one for West Ham. Our first meet-up had just four members, and I wasn’t sure what to expect, but over time I realised the story of the Detroit Hammers actually started well before the group officially existed. Most members have been long-time, or even life-long, West Ham fans who’ve supported the Club and worn the badge with pride. I often hear things like: ‘I’ve been living here supporting West Ham for as long as I can remember, and I thought I was the only one’. I think that’s really the true origin story: a group of diehard fans who thought they were alone in this part of the world, only to discover they’re far from it. That’s created a unique ‘family’ culture and identity for the Detroit Hammers. If you ever make it to a watch party here in Detroit, you’ll see - it doesn’t feel like just a group of fans getting together, it feels like a family hanging out.”
How many members do you have now?
“We currently average 15-20 members in person at any given watch party. We have over 100 members registered through the Official Supporters’ Club Portal, and about 1,500 followers on social media.”
How and where do you follow the Irons on a matchday?
“We meet at Atwater Brewery & Tap House in Downtown Detroit.”