Thunderstorms Delay West Ham's Stateside Cup Clash

A summer storm wreaked havoc in Jacksonville on Saturday, delaying West Ham United's pre-season clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Stateside Cup.

The torrential downpour, accompanied by thunder and lightning, struck Northeast Florida at approximately 4:30pm local time, causing a sudden halt to proceedings. The pitch was quickly inundated with heavy rain, rendering it unplayable.

Despite the initial deluge subsiding and warm-ups commencing, a 30-minute delay was announced. However, the inclement weather returned with renewed vigour, forcing a "Code Blue" safety warning to be issued. This saw the pitch and stands evacuated as the threat of thunder and lightning persisted.

Following a further 60-minute delay, the weather finally improved enough to permit a kick-off at 9:05pm local time, over two hours later than originally scheduled.

Fans worldwide can stream the game live on West Ham TV, available through whufc.com and the club's official mobile app. Passes for both matches are available HERE. Individual match passes cost £4.99, while a two-match pass, including next Saturday's game against Crystal Palace in Tampa, can be secured for £7.99.

Our photographers captured the unique and historic matchday in Jacksonville, offering a glimpse into the dramatic events. Check out the exclusive gallery HERE.