EPL Summer Friendlies 2026: Premier League Giants Lock In Pre-Season Global Tours
The countdown to the 2026/27 Premier League Football campaign has officially begun. With the league scheduled to kick off on August 22, 2026, England’s elite clubs have started locking in their summer pre-season friendly fixtures. From high-stakes domestic rivalries crossing international borders to blockbuster clashes across North America, Europe, and Asia, football fans are in for a thrilling summer.
Whether you are tracking heavyweights like Manchester United and Arsenal or keeping an eye on newly shaped squads under fresh management, here is everything you need to know about the EPL Summer Friendlies 2026.
The Headline Acts: Where Are the Big Six Heading?
Pre-season is no longer just about building match fitness; it is a global spectacle. This summer, Premier League clubs are setting up camp in major sporting hubs across the globe.
1. United and Leeds Reignite Rivalry in Dublin
Manchester United has arguably the most extensive European tour lined up. After kicking off their summer against Wrexham in Helsinki on July 18 and stopping by Norway and Sweden, the Red Devils will head to Ireland. They are set for a massive showdown against Leeds United at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on August 12.
2. Chelsea’s Down Under Adventure & Asian Swing
Chelsea is racking up the air miles this summer with a heavy focus on the Asia-Pacific region. The Blues will start in Australia with a double-header in Sydney—including a massive all-London clash against Tottenham Hotspur on August 1—before flying to Hong Kong to face Juventus and wrapping up in Jakarta against AC Milan.
3. Liverpool’s Stateside Showcase
Under the guidance of newly appointed head coach Andoni Iraola, Liverpool is taking over the United States. The Reds will face Sunderland in Nashville, Wrexham in New York, and a highly anticipated match against Leeds United in Chicago on August 2. They will then return home to Anfield for August fixtures against AS Monaco and Como.
4. Arsenal and Man City Chase Early Silverware
Before the league officially commences, Arsenal and Manchester City will battle it out in the traditional curtain-raiser. The two title heavyweights will contest the FA Community Shield at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on August 16. Prior to that, City is playing Inter Milan in Hong Kong, while Arsenal tunes up against Real Betis in Dublin.
EPL Summer Friendlies 2026: Club-by-Club Schedule
Here is the confirmed pre-season schedule for notable Premier League clubs as of June 2026:
| Club | Date | Opponent | Venue / Location |
| Arsenal | Aug 5 Aug 16 | Real Betis Manchester City (Community Shield) | Dublin, Ireland Cardiff, Wales |
| Aston Villa | July 21 Aug 7 Aug 15 | Walsall Bayern Munich Borussia Mönchengladbach | Walsall, UK Hong Kong Mönchengladbach, Germany |
| Chelsea | July 28 Aug 1 Aug 5 Aug 8 | Western Sydney Wanderers Tottenham Hotspur Juventus AC Milan | Sydney, Australia Sydney, Australia Hong Kong Jakarta, Indonesia |
| Leeds United | July 25 July 30 Aug 2 Aug 12 | Wrexham Sunderland Liverpool Manchester United | Tampa, USA New Jersey, USA Chicago, USA Dublin, Ireland |
| Liverpool | July 25 July 29 Aug 2 Aug 9 Aug 16 | Sunderland Wrexham Leeds United AS Monaco Como 1907 | Nashville, USA New York, USA Chicago, USA Anfield, Liverpool Anfield, Liverpool |
| Manchester City | Aug 1 Aug 16 | Inter Milan Arsenal (Community Shield) | Hong Kong Cardiff, Wales |
| Manchester United | July 18 July 24 Aug 1 Aug 8 Aug 12 | Wrexham Rosenborg Atlético Madrid Paris Saint-Germain Leeds United | Helsinki, Finland Trondheim, Norway Stockholm, Sweden Gothenburg, Sweden Dublin, Ireland |
| Tottenham | July 26 July 29 Aug 1 | Auckland FC Sydney FC Chelsea | Auckland, New Zealand Sydney, Australia Sydney, Australia |
Why the 2026 Pre-Season Matters More Than Ever
This summer’s friendlies carry immense tactical weight. Several teams are undergoes fascinating transitions:
- Tactical Identity: Fans will get their first look at how Liverpool adapts to life under Andoni Iraola.
- Fresh Faces: With the summer transfer window in full swing, these global tours will serve as the launching pad for multi-million dollar signings to integrate into their new squads.
- Fitness Benchmarks: Because the competitive season kicks off slightly later in August, managers will use these intensive tours to optimize player conditioning and avoid early-season burnout.
Note for Matchgoers: Ticket sales for these international fixtures are managed directly by the host stadiums and competing clubs. Due to high global demand—especially for the fixtures in Sydney, Chicago, and Hong Kong—supporter groups advise booking well in advance.
