Just a month separates the end of this summer’s World Cup and the beginning of the new 2026–27 Premier League season. The modern soccer schedule is simply relentless.
While the World Cup has disrupted preseason preparations for all 20 Premier League clubs—some affected more than others—England’s top division sides have now begun playing warmup friendlies ahead of the upcoming campaign.
Friendlies are crucial to building match sharpness and momentum before the term commences, while also offering new signings and emerging academy stars the chance to impress their manager.
Here’s a full breakdown of preseason fixtures and results for Premier League teams.
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta and his players enter the upcoming season as champions. | Jacques Feeney/Offside/Getty Images
The reigning Premier League champions won’t play their first friendly until Aug. 1, when they travel to Catalonia for a clash with Girona. More European foes then lie in wait as Real Betis, Borussia Dortmund and Como all test the Gunners.
Arsenal will partake in England’s traditional curtain-raiser, the Community Shield, a week before the Premier League season begins, facing FA Cup victors Manchester City at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Xabi Alonso is overseeing his first preseason with Chelsea. | Lars Baron/Getty Images
Chelsea take to the field for the first time under new manager Xabi Alonso far from west London, with games against Western Sydney Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur staged in Australia.
The Blues then travel around Asia for games with Juventus, Milan and Malaysian outfit Johor Darul Ta’zim, before returning back to Stamford Bridge for their final friendly with Alonso’s former club Real Sociedad.
Andoni Iraola begins his Liverpool reign against Sunderland. | Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu/Getty Images
Liverpool are once again embarking on a preseason tour of the United States, facing off against British opponents Sunderland, Wrexham and Leeds United to unofficially begin the Andoni Iraola era.
The Spanish manager then gets his first taste of the Anfield home dugout when Liverpool take on Monaco and Como ahead of their Premier League opener with Newcastle United. The Reds face Como twice on Aug. 16, one match staged behind closed doors and the other in front of supporters at Anfield.
Enzo Maresca is back in Manchester. | Eddie Keogh/Getty Images
As was often the case under Enzo Maresca’s predecessor Pep Guardiola, Manchester City have a light preseason schedule planned. Their first friendly isn’t until Aug. 1, with a repeat of the 2022–23 Champions League final against Inter staged in Hong Kong.
The Cityzens then travel to South Korea for matches with the K-League All-Stars and Atlético Madrid, after which they return to the United Kingdom to face Arsenal in the Community Shield.
Date
Fixture
Location
Aug. 1
Manchester City vs. Inter
Kai Tak Sports Park, Hong Kong
Aug. 5
K-League All-Stars vs. Manchester City
Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul
Aug. 9
Manchester City vs. Atlético Madrid
Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul
Aug. 16
Arsenal vs. Manchester City
Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Manchester United
Man Utd recently demolished Rosenborg. | Ash Donelon/Manchester United/Getty Images.
Manchester United started preseason earlier than many of their Premier League rivals, suffering a defeat to Wrexham in Finland before thrashing Norwegian side Rosenborg 5–0.
A trickier schedule lies ahead as the Red Devils tour Europe, with games against Atlético Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in Sweden followed by a journey to Dublin to face rivals Leeds United.
Michael Carrick’s men then visit Poland for a final friendly with Milan.
Roberto De Zerbi saved Spurs from relegation last season. | Alex Pantling/Getty Images
A crucial preseason for Tottenham Hotspur began with victory as new signing Mateus Fernandes fired home the only goal of a friendly win against MK Dons.
Spurs have now traveled across the world to face Auckland FC in New Zealand, quickly followed by games against Sydney FC and Chelsea in Australia.
Tottenham return to north London in early August, where they will host Getafe and Hoffenheim.
Date
Fixture
Location
July 22
Tottenham Hotspur 1–0 MK Dons
Hotspur Way, London
July 25
Auckland FC vs. Tottenham Hotspur
Eden Park, Auckland
July 29
Sydney FC vs. Tottenham Hotspur
Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Aug. 1
Chelsea vs. Tottenham Hotspur
Accor Stadium, Sydney
Aug. 8
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Getafe
Hotspur Way, London
Aug. 15
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Hoffenheim
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
Aug. 16
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Hoffenheim
Hotspur Way, London
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