While several Premier League stars continue chasing World Cup glory in North America, clubs across England are already preparing for the 2026-27 season with a packed pre-season schedule. From high-profile clashes across Europe, Asia, and the United States to traditional local friendlies, supporters will get their first glimpse of new signings, emerging academy talents, and tactical changes before the new campaign begins.
With the World Cup final scheduled for July 19, many clubs will begin their preparations without several first-team players. Nevertheless, this summer’s calendar features plenty of blockbuster encounters involving England’s biggest clubs.
Here, Sports Mole brings you the full Premier League pre-season schedule for all 20 teams – you can filter by club to only bring up the fixtures you want to see.
Arsenal Face Dortmund Before Community Shield
Premier League champions Arsenal have another demanding pre-season ahead of them.
Mikel Arteta’s side will travel to Spain to face Girona before returning home for two Emirates Stadium fixtures against Borussia Dortmund and Como. Their preparations conclude with the Community Shield against Manchester City on August 16, offering an early opportunity to claim silverware before the Premier League season begins.
Chelsea and Tottenham Headline Asian Tour
Chelsea will spend much of their summer in Asia with several eye-catching fixtures.
The Blues begin in Australia against Western Sydney Wanderers before meeting Tottenham Hotspur in Sydney. Enzo Maresca’s side then travel to Hong Kong to face Juventus before taking on AC Milan in Indonesia and finishing their tour against Johor Darul Ta’zim in Malaysia.
Tottenham also have a busy schedule, including meetings with Auckland FC, Sydney FC, Chelsea, and Hoffenheim as they continue preparations under their coaching staff.
Manchester Clubs Take On European Giants
Manchester City and Manchester United both face challenging opponents across Asia and Europe.
City’s schedule includes attractive matches against Inter Milan, K-League All-Stars, Atletico Madrid, and finally Arsenal in the Community Shield.
Meanwhile, Manchester United begin against Wrexham before facing Rosenborg, Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Leeds United, and AC Milan in one of the toughest pre-season calendars among Premier League clubs.
Liverpool, Newcastle and Aston Villa Have Tough Tests
Liverpool’s preparations include friendlies against Sunderland, Wrexham, Leeds United, Monaco, and Como as Arne Slot continues building his squad ahead of the new campaign.
Newcastle United also face a demanding list of opponents, including Valencia, Bayer Leverkusen, Everton, and Bristol City.
Aston Villa will travel extensively this summer, taking on Real Sociedad, Indonesia All-Stars, BG Pathum United, Bayern Munich, and Borussia Monchengladbach in preparation for another campaign featuring European football.
Best Pre-Season Fixtures to Watch
Several friendlies stand out as must-watch matches this summer:
- Manchester City vs Inter Milan
- Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur
- Chelsea vs Juventus
- Chelsea vs AC Milan
- Manchester United vs Paris Saint-Germain
- Manchester United vs Atletico Madrid
- Liverpool vs Wrexham
- Arsenal vs Borussia Dortmund
- Arsenal vs Manchester City (Community Shield)
- Aston Villa vs Bayern Munich
These matches will provide an early indication of each club’s tactical development, new signings, and squad depth before the competitive season begins.
Why Pre-Season Matters
Although results are rarely the priority, pre-season remains one of the most important periods of the year for every Premier League club.
Managers use these fixtures to improve fitness levels, integrate new players, experiment with tactical systems, and give young academy prospects valuable first-team minutes. Fans also get an early look at summer signings before the Premier League season officially begins.
With many international stars returning late following the World Cup, these matches could also provide opportunities for several emerging talents to impress and compete for places in their club’s starting XI.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Premier League pre-season promises exciting football across multiple continents. From heavyweight clashes involving Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United to valuable opportunities for rising young players, supporters will have plenty to enjoy before the new campaign gets underway.
As clubs balance player fitness with tactical preparation following a demanding World Cup summer, these friendlies could offer the first clues about which teams are best prepared to challenge when the Premier League season begins.
