This summer, AC Milan has made a bold move that sets it apart from other Italian clubs by choosing to travel to the United States for their pre-season tour. Unlike Inter, Napoli, Roma, and Atalanta, which stayed in Italy, or Juventus, which headed to Germany, Milan opted for the U.S. once again, but this time focusing on the East Coast rather than the West.
For most of their trip, the team stayed in Warren, New Jersey, at the same training complex used by Italy during the 1994 World Cup. This choice allowed for convenient access to both training grounds and accommodations, a marked improvement over last year’s stay in Los Angeles, where traffic often complicates travel. The tour included stops in Chicago and Baltimore, with each city hosting the team for a couple of days.
Traveling with a delegation of around 90-95 people, the group includes not just the players and coaching staff, but also chefs, security personnel, administrative staff, media representatives, travel managers, and warehouse staff. Milan secured an entire hotel for their stay and trained at the Pingry School, one of America’s most prestigious high schools, which boasts top-notch sports facilities.
The culinary needs of the squad have not gone unnoticed. Two chefs, Michele Persechini and Giulio Lombardoni, have been working hard to ensure the menu meets the players’ dietary preferences. One chef arrives several days in advance to prep for the team’s meals, which often include Italian staples such as pasta and rice—both sourced from Italy whenever possible. Despite being in the U.S., they aim to keep the menu diverse, offering dishes like paella and spicy chicken wings, while also considering the dietary requirements of Muslim players.
Off the field, the team has engaged in various recreational activities, including a go-kart race that saw Alexis Saelemaekers take first place. The players also indulged in card games, billiards, and cornhole, a popular American game involving tossing bags at a raised platform.
The driving factor behind this extensive tour is primarily economic. Milan, along with clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona, aims to grow their presence in the lucrative U.S. market. With 43 million fans in the States, AC Milan is the most recognized Italian club and uses this tour to enhance their brand image and boost matchday revenues.
During their tour, Milan has collaborated with high-profile entities including the NFL, the New York Yankees, the Chicago Bulls, and Chicago Fire. Iconic moments included Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s first pitch at Yankee Stadium and appearances by Christian Pulisic and Ibrahimovic on popular shows like CBS Mornings and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Pulisic humorously promised to celebrate a goal against Manchester City with a dance inspired by the “Tres Amigos,” never expecting that team-mates Colombo and Nasti would be the ones finding the net.
Through this effort, Milan not only strengthens its commercial ties in the United States but also lays the groundwork for future endeavors, uniting sports fans across continents.