All soccer connections to the Las Vegas Raiders that could help new fans watching the World Club pick a club to root for
The Las Vegas Raiders have a break before training camp, so let’s help fans find their new soccer club.
The Las Vegas Raiders are preparing for the 2026 season, but plenty of their fans have their eyes on a different kind of football right now.
The 2026 World Cup is hosted in America, Team USA is competitive again, and a wave of new American soccer fans is forming. For Raiders fans seeking some familiarity when picking a new soccer club to follow, there are a few teams around the world with direct ties to the Silver and Black.
Leeds United FC
Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby purchased a minority ownership stake in Leeds United FC, which competes in the English Premier League. The club is primarily owned by the ownership group behind the 49ers, which may be a turnoff for some. However, Crosby has made it clear he loves his stake in Leeds United. He’s frequently posting videos of their matches on social media.
Leeds United plays in the best soccer league in the world. They sit toward the bottom of the table and are one of the poorer clubs in the Premier League. But, they remain fun to watch. For Raiders fans who want to follow a team their favorite pass rusher has invested in, Leeds is the most direct connection.
Birmingham City FC
One league below the Premier League, in the English League One, sits Birmingham City FC. Raiders minority owner Tom Brady holds an ownership stake in the club and serves on its advisory board.
Birmingham City has leaned into the connection. The club’s players have been spotted on Instagram wearing Raiders gear and showing support for the franchise. For fans who appreciate the Brady tie and don’t mind following a club as it works its way up through the English football pyramid, Birmingham is a solid pick.
Las Vegas Lights FC
The most local option is the Las Vegas Lights FC. It competes in the USL Championship, one tier below Major League Soccer. The Lights play their matches at Cashman Field right in Las Vegas.
During its early history, the club maintained an affiliation with Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles FC. The LA connection is worth noting. Especially given the significant overlap between L.A. sports fans and Raiders supporters. This is dating back to the franchise’s years in Southern California.
Finding familiarity in a new sport
That’s really the extent of it. There aren’t a ton of connections between the Raiders and the soccer world, but for fans who like their rooting interests to share a thread — whether through ownership stakes, shared cities, or regional ties — these three clubs offer a starting point. The World Cup is about to put soccer front and center for American sports fans, and Raiders fans now have a few options to carry some of that Silver and Black energy into a new sport.