Manchester City and Chelsea Announce Pre-Season Fixtures in Hong Kong
Both Manchester City and Chelsea have confirmed their pre-season plans, with matches scheduled in Hong Kong this summer. The two Premier League giants will face top Italian clubs as part of their preparations for the upcoming 2026-27 campaign.
Manchester City to Face Inter Milan in Asahi Super Dry Trophy
Manchester City will reprise their 2023 Champions League final showdown with Inter Milan in the Asahi Super Dry Trophy. The match is set to take place at the Kai Tak Stadium on 1 August during the Hong Kong Football Festival. This marks City's first visit to Hong Kong since 2019, when they defeated Kitchee SC 6-1 at the Hong Kong Stadium.
Peter Laundy, senior vice-president of partnerships at City Football Group, expressed enthusiasm about the return. He stated, "We are thrilled to announce Manchester City's return to Hong Kong as we confirm the club's first pre-season fixture of the summer in Asia. Our fans in Hong Kong and the wider region have always shown incredible loyalty and support for the club. The energy and passion we've experienced on previous visits has always been special, and we're looking forward to sharing those moments once again with them later in the year, and an exciting fixture against Inter Milan."
Chelsea to Clash with Juventus After 15-Year Absence
Chelsea will return to Hong Kong for the first time in 15 years to face Juventus on 5 August. This match comes just over two weeks before the start of the new Premier League season. The Blues last met Juventus in a competitive fixture in November 2021, when a side managed by Thomas Tuchel secured a 4-0 victory in a Champions League group-stage game at Stamford Bridge, following a 1-0 win for Juventus in Turin earlier in the competition.
Historically, Juventus famously eliminated Chelsea from the Champions League in 2012 with a 3-0 win in Italy, a defeat that led to the sacking of manager Roberto Di Matteo days later. During their last visit to Hong Kong in 2011, Chelsea defeated local side Kitchee and Premier League rivals Aston Villa.
The pre-season tours are part of broader strategies by both clubs to engage with international fans and fine-tune their squads ahead of the new season. These fixtures highlight the growing global appeal of English football and the importance of Asian markets in the sport's commercial and fan engagement efforts.
