While August signifies the winding down of summer for many, for me it marks the beginning of the Premier League season, the highly anticipated soccer league in England where the top teams battle it out for months for the Premier League title in mid-2024. The season officially begins Aug. 11, and I couldn’t be more excited to unnecessarily invest myself in football teams an ocean away.
© Jim Johansen | Dreamstime.com
Unfortunately, one of the teams I support, Leeds United, was relegated last season. Unlike the NFL, the Premier League is a league where teams must fight to retain their place. Should they fall into the bottom three (meaning they’ve lost the most games out of the rest), they go down to the Champions League. This also means the top three teams from the Champions League get promoted to the Premier League. The Premier League means way more money, more coverage and more exposure, so it’s no wonder teams are always vying to reach the Premier League.
Leeds United was 19th out of 20 last season and, as a result, will be playing in the Champions League. Consequently, Luton, Burnley and Sheffield United come up from the Champions League. Based in Leeds, a city in West Yorkshire, Leeds United struggled in the second half of last season, and with managers coming and going, they never had that consistency that other competing teams had. I think it might be good for Leeds United to spend a season or two in the Champions League, however, to let them regroup and strive to get back into the Premier League.
With half of my family hailing from Ireland, I’d practically be shunned if I supported any other top Premier League team besides Liverpool FC. While going through a few bumps last season, Liverpool emerged in fifth by the end, with top players like Mo Salah, Cody Gakpo, Diego Jota and Virgil Van Dyk securing a good position by the end. I’m excited to see how the team begins this season under the leadership of Jügen Klopp, especially after acquiring Alexis Mac Allister, former Brighton player and one of the members of Argentina’s winning team from the 2022 World Cup.
Last season, when I knew Liverpool weren’t anywhere near the top three spots, I found myself rooting for Arsenal, hoping they could finish first and take out the long-reigning Manchester City. The last few games, though, saw Manchester City remain strong and take the title, but I hope Arsenal is even more motivated now to fight to the very end after seeing its potential last season. Its inspiring manager, Mikel Arteta, (a former Arsenal player himself) and first-class lineup of players like Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka, Aaron Ramsdale, Oleksandr Zincheko and the newly acquired Kai Havertz and Declan Rice should be a threat to Manchester City.
I am looking forward to a good season!
— Aoife O’Riordan, associate editor
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedAirlines
Jan 14, 2025Turkish Airlines Introduces UNESCO Türkiye Series Amenity Kit Collection
Turkish Airlines recently launched a new amenity kit collection, known as the UNESCO Türkiye Series. Inspired by six of Türkiye’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, the amenity kit collection allows the airline to bring the country’s cultural treasures to the skies.
Sponsored Content
Extraordinary Egypt
ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME JOURNEY INTO THE ANCIENT WORLD OF THE PHARAOHS
Daily
Jan 14, 2025Costa del Sol, Spain, Doesn’t Hold Back for 2025 Travelers
With the arrival of a new year, Costa del Sol invites travelers to explore its culture, gastronomy, sustainability and wellness offerings. For those looking to disconnect from stress, immerse with nature and discover new cultures, this province of Málaga offers plenty of activities to keep up with your 2025 resolutions. Need some convincing?
Daily
Jan 14, 2025First NH-Branded Hotel Debuts in Bangkok
Minor Hotels, in partnership with Boulevard Hotel Company Limited, opens NH Bangkok Sukhumvit Boulevard hotel, the first NH Hotels & Resorts-branded property in Thailand’s capital.
Sponsored Content
Sailing the Ionian Sea: Explore Greece’s Nautical Gems
Sailing the Ionian Sea is an enchanting way to experience Greece's breathtaking islands and pristine waters. Known for its favorable winds, calm seas and stunning landscapes, the Ionian Sea offers a paradise for both experienced sailors and those looking to explore for the first time. From lively beaches to secluded bays, these waters have something for every traveler seeking adventure and relaxation.
Daily
Jan 13, 2025Nader Sculpture Park Opens in Miami’s Design District
The latest addition to Miami Design District is Nader Sculpture Park. Founded by art collector Gary Nader and designed by Bea Pernia of BEA Interiors Design, this park is an open- air collection of more than 50 large-scale sculptures residing within Miami’s celebrated neighborhood of fashion, design, art, architecture and dining. Pernia, distinguished by her knack for blending organic materials into expressions of elegance, also has a studio in the city’s design district.
7 Reasons to Ski in Slovenia
Daily
Jan 10, 20257 Off-the-Beaten-Path Asian Hotels
Daily
Jan 10, 2025Daily
Jan 9, 2025New Spier Hotel Launches This Spring in South Africa’s Western Cape
Lauded for its outstanding wines and regenerative farming practices, Spier Wine Farm in South Africa’s Western Cape region prepares to welcome its first guests to its new hotel this spring, with an opening planned for March. Owned by the Enthoven family, the wine estate is located within a protected area known as Cape Floral Kingdom.
Sponsored Content
Discover the Pristine Beauty of the Sporades Islands
Nestled in the northwest Aegean Sea, the Sporades Islands are a hidden gem of Greece, offering breathtaking natural beauty and unique experiences for every traveler. Comprised of four main islands — Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos and Skyros — this island cluster is renowned for its lush pine forests, crystal-clear waters and idyllic beaches.
Daily
Jan 9, 20255 Wellness Journeys to Try at COMO Hotels & Resorts This Year
Jumpstart your 2025 wellness goals and book one (or more!) of COMO Hotels and Resorts’ COMO Wellness Journeys, held at properties around the world throughout 2025.
ShareThis