With the Euros and Copa America done and dusted, fans up and down the country are looking for their next football fix. Luckily, attention has already turned to next season and pre-season is in full swing.
Summer friendlies generally have no bearing on how the season will go, with players using them to get back into shape and get to grips with how their manager wants them to play.
But for us, the ever cynical fans, we use them as an opportunity to judge new signings after five minutes and claim our team is definitely going to win the league after narrowly beating a non-league side.
Premier League teams often use pre-season to build their brand globally, travelling to all corners of the world to play in front of a new audience. To keep track of who they’ll all be facing in preparation for the new campaign, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to all the key fixtures.
As has become tradition in recent years, three of the Premier League’s biggest sides will face each other in friendlies across the pond. Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool all have huge fan bases in America who will be desperate to see their heroes in the flesh.
Arsenal then welcome Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen to north London before hosting Lyon in the Emirates Cup. As well as Arsenal and United, Liverpool will also face Real Betis in the states. Arne Slot has big shoes to fill at Liverpool following Jurgen Klopp’s departure and he’ll get his first taste of the Anfield atmosphere in a home clash with Sevilla.
Meanwhile, United’s pre-season campaign has already started. Erik ten Hag has been handed a lifeline when he was expected to lose his job following last season and he’ll be hoping for an improvement after his side lost 1-0 to Rosenborg earlier this week.
Their line-up was mainly filled with academy players, although the likes of Marcus Rashford, Casemiro and Aaron Wan Bissaka featured. Following a disappointing campaign, United look set to spend big under their new ownership, with Joshua Zirkzee already snapped up and Leny Yoro set to follow.
Arsenal v Manchester United – Saturday 27th July, Los Angeles
Arsenal v Liverpool – Wednesday 31st July, Philadelphia
Liverpool v Manchester United – Saturday 3rd August, South Carolina
In a warm-up game for their first Premier League game of the season, champions Manchester City are set to face Chelsea in a pre-season clash. The pair meet on the opening weekend at Stamford Bridge and their friendly in America will give new Blues boss Enzo Maresca the chance to see counterpart Pep Guardiola’s side up close in preparation.
Both sides are set for a series of heavyweight clashes while they’re abroad. City have friendlies against Celtic and AC Milan to look forward to, as well as La Liga giants Barcelona.
Meanwhile, Chelsea also face Celtic, while they could face Kylian Mbappe as they come up against Real Madrid. They’ll then host Inter Milan the week before the league season gets underway.
Manchester City v Celtic – Tuesday 23rd July, North Carolina
Chelsea v Celtic – Saturday 27th July, Indiana
Manchester City v AC Milan – Saturday 27th July, New York
Manchester City v Barcelona – Tuesday 30th July, Florida
Chelsea v Manchester City – Saturday 3rd August, Ohio
Chelsea v Real Madrid – Tuesday 6th August, North Carolina
Chelsea v Inter Milan – Sunday 11th August, Stamford Bridge
Tottenham fans will have the opportunity to see former talisman Harry Kane once again. Spurs have two friendlies against Bayern Munich lined up, firstly in South Korea before a second fixture in London the following week.
Ange Postecoglou’s men aren’t the only side heading to Asia – both Newcastle and Brighton are set for trips to Japan. Meanwhile, Aston Villa will prepare for a Champions League campaign with matches against RB Leipzig, Athletic Bilbao and Borussia Dortmund.
Bayern Munich v Tottenham – Saturday 3rd August, Seoul
Tottenham v Bayern Munich – Saturday 10th August, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Aston Villa v RB Leipzig – Wednesday 31st July, New Jersey
Aston Villa v Athletic Bilbao – Wednesday 7th August, Walsall
Borussia Dortmund v Aston Villa – Saturday 10th August, Dortmund
Much like Arsenal and co., Crystal Palace, Wolves and West Ham are all set to play each other in friendlies in America. Meanwhile, Everton’s final game of the summer is a high-profile meeting with Roma at Goodison Park.
The Premier League’s new boys are all set for exciting fixtures as they prepare for the new campaign in the top flight. Ipswich were boosted by boss Kieran McKenna committing his future to the club and they’ve backed him well so far in the transfer market.
The Tractor Boys will face Shakhtar Donetsk, Borussia Monchengladbach and Hoffenheim. Similarly, Leicester are set to face Palermo, Augsburg and Lens, while Southampton are looking forward to friendlies against Lazio and Getafe.
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