English Premier League Pre-Season Guide: Friendly Tours, Community Shield Details, Key Dates, More

The English Premier League 2025-26 pre-season represents a critical preparation phase for all 20 clubs. This period features global tours, tactical experimentation, and fitness conditioning, with fixtures spanning Europe, Asia, and North America.

Major events include the English Premier League Summer Series in the United States and high-profile tournaments like the Adidas Trophy in Germany. Liverpool and Crystal Palace will contest the FA Community Shield on August 10 at Wembley Stadium, serving as the competitive curtain-raiser.

Pre-season outcomes significantly influence Fantasy Premier League (FPL) strategies, as managers analyse player form and tactical deployments before Gameweek 1.

FA Community Shield Details

The 103rd FA Community Shield will feature Premier League champions Liverpool against FA Cup winners Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, August 10, with kick-off at 15:00 BST. This marks Crystal Palace's debut in the fixture following their 'historic first major trophy' last season.

Liverpool, making their first Shield appearance since 2022, have won the Shield 16 times. The match offers new Liverpool manager Arne Slot his 'first competitive test' against Oliver Glasner's tactical setup. Clubs will handle ticket sales via allocations, with global broadcasting available on TNT Sports (UK) and ESPN+ (USA).

English Premier League 2025-26 Key Dates

The English Premier League 2025-26 season commences on August 15, with Liverpool hosting Bournemouth for the first fixture, following the June 18 fixture release. The season comprises 38 matchweeks and concludes on May 24, 2026. International breaks are scheduled for September, October, November, and March.

The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) will affect schedules between late December and mid-January. FA Cup integration reduces fixture congestion compared to prior seasons, minimising blank or double gameweeks. Fantasy Premier League launched on July 14, allowing managers to finalise squads before the August 10 Community Shield.

Premier League Pre-Season Tour Fixtures

Arsenal

Arsenal’s Asian tour primarily focuses on 'high-calibre opposition', with all matches kicking off at 12:30 BST. Mikel Arteta’s side plays AC Milan in Singapore on July 23, then faces Newcastle on July 27. They meet Tottenham on July 31 in the 'first overseas North London Derby'. Arsenal conclude with home friendlies against Villarreal on August 5 and Athletic Bilbao on August 9.

Aston Villa

Aston Villa’s schedule combines European and North American tours. They open against Walsall on July 16 and Hansa Rostock on July 19, before facing Eintracht Frankfurt in Louisville on July 26. U.S. stops include St. Louis City on July 30 and Nashville SC on August 2. Home tests follow against Roma on August 6, Marseille on August 9, and Villarreal on August 10.

Bournemouth

Bournemouth’s preparations include the Premier League Summer Series in the USA. They played a closed-door match against Hibernian on July 15. Andoni Iraola’s squad meets Bristol City on July 19, then Everton in New Jersey on July 26. Subsequent U.S. fixtures include Manchester United on July 30 and West Ham on August 3. Bournemouth conclude with Real Sociedad at home on August 9.

Brentford

Brentford start their pre-season programme against Gil Vicente on July 25 at Estadio Cidade de Barcelos. They will then visit QPR at Loftus Road on August 2 for a 3:00 pm fixture. Borussia Monchengladbach comesto Gtech Community Stadium on August 8.

Brighton And Hove Albion

Brighton defeated Wycombe 6-1 on July 12. They face Southampton at St Mary's on August 2. Wolfsburg visit the American Express Stadium on August 9 for a 5:00 pm kick-off.

Burnley

Burnley beat Fleetwood 1-0 on July 12. They play Huddersfield Town at John Smith's Stadium and Shrewsbury Town at Croud Meadow, both on July 26 at 3:00 pm. Stoke City host Burnley at bet365 Stadium on August 2. Lazio visits Turf Moor on August 9, with kick-off at 3:00 pm.

Chelsea

FIFA Club World Cup 2025 winners Chelsea will host Bayer Leverkusen at Stamford Bridge on August 8. AC Milan also come to Stamford Bridge on August 10.

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace beat Millwall 1-0 on July 12. They visit Crawley Town at Broadfield Stadium on July 25. Mainz will play Palace twice on July 29 at Hans-Ludwig-Stadion, with two games consisting of '30-minute halves' at 1:00 pm and 2:20 pm. Augsburg host two Palace matches on August 1 at Hofmaninger Stadium, at 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm. Palace also meet Liverpool in the FA Community Shield at Wembley on August 10.

Everton

Everton drew 1-1 with Accrington Stanley on July 15. Blackburn host Everton at Ewood Park on July 19. Everton join the Premier League Summer Series, playing Bournemouth on July 26 at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. They face West Ham on July 30 at Soldier Field, Chicago, and Manchester United on August 3 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta. Roma will play the last match against the Toffees at the Hill-Dickinson Stadium on August 9.

Fulham

Fulham play Nottingham Forest at Estadio de Sao Luis on July 26. Eintracht Frankfurt visit Craven Cottage on August 9 for a 5:00 pm kick-off.

Leeds United

Leeds take on Manchester United on July 19 at Strawberry Arena, Stockholm. Villarreal visit Elland Road on August 2. Leeds also meet AC Milan on August 9 at Aviva Stadium, Dublin, for a 12:00 pm fixture.

Liverpool

Liverpool beat Preston 3-1 on July 13. AC Milan hosts Liverpool at Kai Tak Stadium, Hong Kong. Yokohama F. Marinos play Liverpool at Nissan Stadium, Yokohama, on July 30. Anfield hosts a 'double header' against Athletic Club on August 4, with kick-offs at 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm. Liverpool meet Crystal Palace in the FA Community Shield at Wembley on August 10.

Manchester City

Manchester City will play Palermo at Renzo Barbera Stadium, Palermo, on August 9; the match is their sole confirmed pre-season friendly match.

Manchester United

Manchester United lost 1-0 to ASEAN All Stars on May 28 and beat Hong Kong 3-1 on May 30. United faces Leeds on July 19 at Strawberry Arena, Stockholm. They join the Premier League Summer Series, playing West Ham on July 27 at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, and Bournemouth on July 31 at Soldier Field, Chicago. Everton meet United on August 3 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta. Fiorentina visit Old Trafford on August 9 for their last pre-season fixture.

Newcastle United

Newcastle beat Carlisle 4-0 on July 12. They visit Celtic at Celtic Park on July 19. Arsenal plays Newcastle at Singapore National Stadium on July 27. K-League Select XI host Newcastle at Suwon World Cup Stadium on July 30. Tottenham meet Newcastle at Seoul World Cup Stadium on August 3 at 12:00 pm. Espanyol visit St James' Park on August 8 for a 7:30 pm kick-off. Atletico Madrid also come to St James' Park on August 9.

Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest drew 0-0 with Chesterfield on July 12. Monaco host Forest at SMH Stadium on July 19. Fulham play Forest at Estadio de Sao Luis on July 26. Estoril Praia meet Forest at Estadio Municipal de Albufeira on July 30. Forest visit Birmingham City at St Andrew's on August 2. Fiorentina visit the City Ground on August 5. Al Qadsiah also comes to City Ground to face Pep Guardiola's side on August 9.

Sunderland

Sunderland drew 2-2 with Gateshead and beat South Shields 4-0 on July 12. They visit Sevilla at Estadio Algarve on July 19 at 8:00 pm, and Sporting Lisbon, also at Estadio Algarve, on July 21. Hearts play Sunderland at Tynecastle on July 26. Hull City meet Sunderland at MKM Stadium on July 29. Real Betis visit Stadium of Light on August 2. Augsburg host Sunderland at WWK Arena on August 9 Rayo Vallecano visits Stadium of Light on August 10.

Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham visit Reading at Select Car Leasing Stadium on July 19 at 3:00 pm. Luton host Tottenham at Kenilworth Road on July 26 at 3:00 pm. Arsenal play Tottenham at Kai Tak Stadium, Hong Kong, on July 31 at 12:30 pm. Newcastle meet Tottenham at Seoul World Cup Stadium on August 3. Bayern Munich host Tottenham at Allianz Arena on August 7. Tottenham will play Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup at Stadio Friuli, Udine, on August 13; the kick-off time is 'to be confirmed'.

West Ham United

West Ham play Grasshopper Club Zurich at GC/Campus training complex, Switzerland, on July 19. They participate in the Premier League Summer Series, with Manchester United playing them on July 27 at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. Everton meet West Ham on July 30 at Soldier Field, Chicago. Bournemouth play them on August 3 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, at 7:00 pm. Their final match is against Lille on August 9.

Wolverhampton Wonderers

Wolves take on Stoke City at bet365 Stadium on July 26. Lens hosts Wolves at Bescot Stadium on July 30 at 7:30 pm. Girona hosts Wolves at Estadi Montilivi on August 3 at 7:00 pm. Celta Vigo visit Molineux for the final game on August 9.