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Premier League stars chase World Cup, clubs brace for pre-season chaos
7 Jul
Summary
- Premier League pre-season fixtures for all 20 clubs are now available.
- The 48-team World Cup will significantly disrupt clubs' summer schedules.
- Emerging talents will have more opportunities due to player absences.
The upcoming Premier League pre-season schedule for the 2026/27 season has been announced, featuring 78 fixtures between July and August 2026. This period will be significantly impacted by the 48-team World Cup, with many star players absent from club duties. This presents a prime opportunity for emerging talents to impress fans during non-competitive matches.
Clubs are embarking on extensive pre-season tours across the globe. Notable fixtures include Arsenal facing Borussia Dortmund and Como 1907, Chelsea taking on Tottenham Hotspur, Juventus, and AC Milan in Sydney, Hong Kong, and Jakarta, and Manchester City meeting Inter Milan in Hong Kong. Manchester United will also face Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in Sweden, while Liverpool plays Wrexham in New York. The season's curtain-raiser, the Community Shield, will see Arsenal face Manchester City in Cardiff on August 16.
Some matches, like Aston Villa's encounter with Bayern Munich in Hong Kong on August 7, highlight the high-profile international friendlies scheduled. While dates are subject to change, this comprehensive list allows fans to track their team's progress leading up to the new Premier League campaign.
