Looking to meet Man Utd supporters in New York? Are you a United fan living in or visiting New York? Whether you’re looking to catch live matches, meet fellow fans, or just enjoy a pint in a soccer-friendly atmosphere, there’s a vibrant community waiting for you! From the historic New York Reds at Smithfield Hall to the dedicated groups Upstate in Buffalo and Albany, New York has some great spots to cheer on the Red Devils.
Did you know Manchester United first introduced themselves to American fans back in 1950 during their tour? Since then, the love for the club has only grown, with legendary New York soccer bar Nevada Smiths paving the way for today’s thriving supporters clubs.
Are you planning to start a Man Utd supporters club in New York State? Please let us know.
A Complete guide to supporting Man Utd in New York
New York Reds
Manchester United’s oldest and largest fan group, the New York Reds meet at Smithfield Hall, America’s first state-of-the-art soccer-specific pub. More recently the same owners opened The Long Acre in Times Square. This beautiful, purpose-built soccer bar covers 3 floors. Both of these Midtown soccer bars are now the home of Manchester United in NYC.
Upstate New York Reds now have a voice and a home at The Banshee Irish Pub. This is an excellent and dedicated soccer bar in downtown Buffalo. The group has over 20,000 followers on Facebook, but updates from The Queen City are sporadic.
Also known as the Capitol City Red Devils, there is now a Man Utd supporters group in the New York Capital of Albany. They meet every matchday at the most popular soccer bar in Albany, Wolff’s Biergarten, where you can wolf down some wurst with your Weghorst.
Manchester United is strongly linked to New York City
Manchester United legend Bryan Robsn with First Touch magazine photographer Jason Joseph at a One United event in 2012
England’s legendary Manchester United first introduced themselves to American soccer fans in New York in May 1950. This was the team’s inaugural visit to the States. Matt Busby’s young team served up a 9-2 thrashing to a New York All-Star team on Randall’s Island. New striker Johnny Downie scored four goals that day. The nation would exact a form of revenge one month later. That’s when the USA amateurs sensationally beat England in the World Cup in Brazil. That England team included United Left Back John Aston.
The concept of soccer bars in New York and English soccer supporters clubs in the USA really took off with Manchester United and Nevada Smiths in the early 1990s. That’s when live Premier League games first became available via satellite. Subsequently, a dark, spacious, East Village dive bar with an uncertain future was transformed into a footballing mecca for Man U fans in New York.
The original Nevada Smiths in New York, where Tom McCarthy and Kieron Slattery launched Man Utd in New York before building Smithfield Hall and Long Acre in Times Square
Nevada Smiths Owner, Cork man Paddy McCarthy, took out a full-page ad in First Touch. Next, his nephew Thomas McCarthy, along with future business partner, Kieron Slattery, grew Nevada Smiths to the point where it reached legendary status as the best soccer bar in New York City. Consequently, passionate United fans Thomas and Kieron then picked up and moved the operation to Chelsea. That’s where they created Smithfield Hall, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Manchester United in New York playing against AC Milan in 2004
FAQ
How can I find Manchester United supporters groups and bars in New York?
You can find New York Manchester United supporters groups right here on this page. In New York City, you will find the New York Reds at Smithfield Hall, Buffalo MUFC at The Banshee Irish Pub, and Albany Red Devils at Wolff’s Biergarten. These groups meet for all live Man Utd matches (check with the bar first) and celebrate the club together.
Where is the main Manchester United supporters club located in New York?
The main supporters club, the New York Reds, meets at Smithfield Hall in Midtown Manhattan. This is a dedicated soccer pub in Chelsea that has the same owners as the original Nevada Smiths soccer bar. They also own Long Acre in Times Square, which is another great place to cheer on Manchester United in NYC.
What are some popular spots to watch Manchester United matches in New York?
Popular spots include Smithfield Hall and The Long Acre in Times Square for live matches, as well as Buffalo’s The Banshee Irish Pub and Albany’s Wolff’s Biergarten, where supporters have gathered for many years to enjoy the games together.
How did Manchester United become popular among American soccer fans?
Manchester United first introduced themselves to American fans in 1950 during a summer tour, and their popularity grew with the rise of live Premier League broadcasts in the 1990s, alongside iconic bars like Nevada Smiths, fostering a strong supporter community.
Can I start my own Manchester United supporters club in New York?
Yes, if you’re interested in starting a supporters club, you can watch this video below and contact the club directly for guidance and support to establish your own club in New York.