​While the World Cup is still underway, a number of Premier League clubs are already returning to pre-season training and playing friendly fixtures. The Premier League’s official resumption is scheduled for August 21, but several teams are taking part in pre-season matches before the World Cup final takes place. The matches are scattered around the globe, with venues spanning Hong Kong, New York, York and Bristol, among others. So, which teams are facing whom, and when and where are these warm-up games taking place? All kick-off times are listed in BST.
On July 24, St. Pauli versus Bournemouth takes place at the Saalfelden Arena in Austria at 15:00. On July 30, Augsburg host Bournemouth at the same Austrian venue, also at 15:00. August 4 sees Bournemouth facing Genoa behind closed doors. August 8 features Real Betis versus Bournemouth at the Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville, starting at 19:30. August 1 brings Girona versus Arsenal at Estadi Montilivi in Girona, with a 19:00 kick-off. On August 5, Arsenal meet Real Betis at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, 19:30 local time. August 9 sees Arsenal take on Borussia Dortmund at the Emirates Stadium in London, with a 14:00 start.
The Community Shield on August 16 will see Arsenal play Manchester City at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, kicking off at 15:00.
In late July, Walsall host Aston Villa at the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium at 19:30 on July 21. On July 28, Aston Villa face Real Sociedad at the same Bescot Stadium, 19:30. August 1 features Indonesia All-Stars versus Aston Villa at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta, 19:00. August 4 has BG Pathum United versus Aston Villa at True BG Stadium in Pathum Thani, 19:30. August 7 will see Aston Villa play Bayern Munich at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong, with the time to be confirmed. On August 15, Borussia Monchengladbach play Aston Villa at Borussia-Park in Monchengladbach, 14:30.
Elsewhere on August 8, Stade Rennais face Brentford at Roazhon Park in Rennes, 17:00. On August 15, Brentford host Eintracht Frankfurt at the Gtech Community Stadium in London.
For those following Brentford, there are July 25 fixtures against Annecy (behind closed doors), August 1 match against Strasbourg (behind closed doors), August 8 hosting Roma at the Amex Stadium in Brighton at 15:00, and August 15 welcoming Bologna to the Amex at 15:00.
Chelsea’s pre-season schedule includes July 28 match against Western Sydney Wanderers at the Accor Stadium in Sydney at 10:45, August 1 against Tottenham at the same venue and time, August 5 against Juventus at Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong at 12:30, August 8 hosting AC Milan at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta at 13:00, and August 11 facing Johor Darul Ta’zim at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Johor at 13:00.
Everton’s pre-season slate features July 18 match against Dundee at Dens Park in Dundee (14:00), July 25 facing Bolton at the Toughsheet Community Stadium in Bolton (15:00), July 28 taking on Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium in Stoke (19:45), August 1 traveling to Hamburg to play Hamburg at the MHP Arena in Stuttgart (16:00), and August 8 facing Stuttgart at the same venue (16:00). On August 12, Everton meet Newcastle at Murrayfield in Edinburgh, 17:15.
No fixtures have been announced yet for certain clubs, with some dates yet to be confirmed. If you’re planning to follow pre-season, keep an eye on official club channels for the latest schedule updates and kick-off times. This slate of friendlies is designed to give teams valuable minutes, trial new formations, integrate new signings, and sharpen match fitness ahead of the Premier League season.