The summer training period has finally drawn to a close for every club in England's top flight, and the curtain is about to rise on the new Premier League season on August 21. Over the past few weeks the 20 sides have crammed a hectic schedule of friendlies, exhibition matches and cup showdowns into a tight calendar, testing new tactics, integrating fresh signings and giving fans a glimpse of what lies ahead.
Below is a comprehensive rundown of each club's pre‑season itinerary, the scores they posted and the broader context of their preparations. Arsenal kicked off their camp with a dominant 3‑0 victory over MK Dons on July 25 at their own training ground, signalling an aggressive intent under Mikel Arteta. The Gunners then travelled to Spain, where they suffered a heavy 4‑1 defeat to Girona on August 1, exposing defensive frailties that would need tightening before the league begins. A week later in Dublin, Arsenal were out‑scored 3‑1 by Real Betis, and on August 9 they fell 3‑2 at home to Borussia Dortmund in a tightly contested match at the Emirates Stadium.
The final warm‑up fixture saw Arsenal hold Como to a 1‑1 draw on August 12, winning 4‑3 on penalties, before they capped the pre‑season with a 3‑0 triumph over Manchester City in the Community Shield at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium on August 16, a morale‑boosting silverware win that hinted at a possible title challenge. Aston Villa’s summer was equally globe‑trotting.
The club opened with a 5‑0 demolition of Walsall at the Bescot Stadium on July 21, before a 2‑1 loss to Porto in Portugal on July 25. Villa then endured a 4‑2 defeat at the hands of Real Sociedad on July 28, but rebounded with a 3‑1 win over an Indonesia All‑Stars side in Jakarta on August 1. Their Asian tour continued with a 3‑1 victory over BG Pathum United in Thailand on August 4, followed by a narrow 2‑1 loss to Bayern Munich in Hong Kong on August 7.
The highlight was a 2‑1 UEFA Super Cup win over Paris Saint‑Germain in Salzburg on August 12, before a 2‑1 defeat to Borussia Mönchengladbach in Germany on August 15. The mix of high‑profile opponents and varied conditions should have given Villa a robust test of squad depth. Bournemouth travelled extensively across Europe, beginning with a 4‑1 win over St Pauli in Saalfelden on July 24.
They then thrashed Augsburg 5‑2 on July 30 before posting a staggering 10‑1 victory over Genoa in a closed‑door 120‑minute session at their training ground on August 4. A 2‑2 draw with Real Betis in Seville followed on August 8, and the Cherries concluded their pre‑season with a 2‑1 win over Mainz at the Mewa Arena on August 15. These matches, especially the high‑scoring Genoa game, showcased Bournemouth’s attacking potential while also highlighting areas for defensive improvement. Brentford kept things relatively low‑key, beginning with a behind‑closed‑doors 3‑2 win over AFC Wimbledon on July 15.
They then travelled to France, where they beat Rennes 4‑2 at the Stade Rennais on August 8, and capped the month with a 7‑0 demolition of Eintracht Frankfurt at the Gtech Community Stadium on August 15. The three‑goal margin against Frankfurt, a club with a strong European pedigree, suggested that Brentford’s offensive unit is in fine form.
Brighton’s itinerary blended domestic and continental fixtures. After a 4‑1 win over Wycombe at their training ground on July 18, they faced Annecy in France on July 25, followed by a 4‑3 away win against Strasbourg in Austria on August 1. The Seagulls then secured a 3‑0 victory over Roma at the Amex on August 8 and wrapped up with a 1‑0 win over Bologna at the same venue on August 15. Brighton’s consistent clean sheets indicate a solid defensive structure that could translate well to the Premier League.
Chelsea embarked on a world tour that took them from Sydney to Hong Kong and Jakarta. They opened with a high‑scoring 6‑4 win over Western Sydney Wanderers on July 28, then suffered a 2‑1 loss to Tottenham in Sydney on August 1.
A narrow 1‑0 defeat to Juventus in Hong Kong on August 5 was followed by a 3‑0 victory over AC Milan in Jakarta on August 8. The Blues finished their pre‑season with a 3‑1 win over Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge on August 15, suggesting that despite mixed results abroad, they have the firepower to compete at the highest level. Coventry City’s preparation was more modest, starting with a 3‑2 win over AFC Wimbledon behind closed doors on July 11, a goalless draw with Northampton on July 18, a 3‑1 win over Espanyol in Coventry on August 8 and a 2‑0 victory over Monaco at home on August 14. These results show a team capable of holding its own against strong opposition, a positive sign for their upcoming campaign.
Crystal Palace’s schedule featured a 5‑1 win over Swindon at their training ground on July 18, a 3‑0 loss to Bromley on July 25 and two 45‑minute matches against Lens and Famalicão at the end of July. They then beat Al Ula 3‑1 on July 31 before a 2‑0 defeat to Fulham at their training ground on August 7 and a 3‑0 loss to Freiburg in Germany on August 15.
Palace’s mixed results reflect a period of experimentation under their new manager. Everton travelled across Europe, beginning with a 4‑0 win over Dundee at Dens Park on July 18.
They then recorded a 0‑0 draw with Bolton on July 25, a 1‑0 loss to Stoke on July 28, and a 2‑1 defeat to Hamburg on August 1. The Toffees bounced back with a 3‑1 win over Stuttgart on August 8, a 3‑1 victory against Newcastle at Murrayfield on August 12, and a 1‑1 draw with Lille on August 15. The variety of opponents and venues should have helped Everton fine‑tune their tactical flexibility.
Fulham’s summer featured a 1‑1 draw with Al Ahli in Portugal on July 28, a 2‑1 loss to Palace at their training ground on August 7 and a 1‑0 win over Stuttgart at Craven Cottage on August 15, indicating gradual improvement and a solid defensive base. Hull City’s pre‑season took them to Slovenia, Turkey and Italy. They began with a 3‑0 win over Konyaspor on July 25, a 2‑1 victory over Çaykur Rizespor on July 28, a 1‑1 draw with Kasımpaşa in Istanbul on August 1, a 2‑0 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany on August 8 and a 0‑0 stalemate with Nice at the MKM Stadium on August 15. Hull’s results suggest a balanced but unspectacular preparation.
Ipswich Town enjoyed a busy schedule, starting with a 2‑1 loss to Osasuna in Colchester on July 29, a 2‑0 win over Oxford at the Kassam Stadium on August 1, a 2‑1 defeat to Wycombe at Adams Park on the same day, a 1‑0 victory over Le Havre at Portman Road on August 4, a 3‑0 win over Rayo Vallecano on August 8, and a 4‑2 win against Union Berlin on August 15. The Town’s ability to win against strong European opposition bodes well for their confidence. Leeds United’s itinerary was a whirlwind of trans‑Atlantic trips. They began with a 3‑2 loss to Wrexham on July 26, then secured a 1‑0 win over Sunderland in New Jersey on July 31.
The club travelled to Chicago, where they beat Liverpool 4‑2 on August 2 and later drew 2‑0 with RB Leipzig in a 120‑minute match at Elland Road on August 8. A dramatic penalty shoot‑out win over Manchester United (1‑1, 5‑4 on pens) in Dublin on August 12 was followed by a 4‑0 victory over Augsburg on August 15, showing Leeds’ capacity to compete against elite opposition. Liverpool’s summer featured a 4‑2 win over Sunderland in Nashville on July 25, a 1‑0 victory over Wrexham in New York on July 30, a 4‑2 win over Leeds in Chicago on August 2, a 3‑2 loss to Monaco at Anfield on August 9 and a 2‑0 win over Como on August 16. The Reds displayed attacking flair but also exposed defensive lapses that will need addressing.
Manchester City’s pre‑season highlighted their global brand. They drew 1‑1 with Inter Milan in Hong Kong on August 1, losing 3‑1 on penalties, then beat a K‑League All‑Stars side 3‑1 in Seoul on August 5, followed by a 3‑1 win over Atletico Madrid in Seoul on August 9. Their season officially began with a 3‑0 Community Shield victory over Arsenal in Cardiff on August 16, confirming City’s status as the team to beat. Manchester United embarked on a tour that saw a 1‑0 loss to Wrexham in Helsinki on July 18, a 5‑0 win over Rosenborg in Trondheim on July 24, a 2‑1 victory over Atletico Madrid in Stockholm on August 1, a 1‑1 draw with PSG in Gothenburg on August 8, a penalty shoot‑out loss to Leeds (1‑1, 4‑5) on August 12 and a 4‑2 defeat to AC Milan in Wroclaw on August 15.
United’s mixed results reflect a rebuilding phase under Erik ten Hag. Newcastle United’s preparation featured a 3‑0 win over Darlington at their training ground on July 18, a 1‑1 draw with Gateshead on July 25, a 4‑1 loss to Bristol City on July 29, a 2‑1 win over Valencia at the Mestalla on August 8, a 3‑1 win over Everton at Murrayfield on August 12, a 2‑1 loss to Bayer Leverkusen at St James’ Park on August 15, and a 1‑1 draw with Strasbourg on August 16. The Magpies have shown resilience and the ability to compete against top European sides. Nottingham Forest’s summer involved matches in Portugal and Italy.
They opened with a 2‑0 loss to Notts County on July 18, a 3‑0 win over Blackburn in Portugal on July 22, a 1‑1 draw with Vitoria on July 26, a 2‑1 win over Portimonense on July 31, a 4‑1 victory over Sporting on July 31, a 1‑0 loss to Udinese in Udine on August 8, a 1‑0 defeat to Barcelona in Udine on the same day, a 2‑1 win over Bayer Leverkusen at the City Ground on August 12 and a 2‑0 win over Brest on August 16. Forest’s ability to hold their own against elite clubs suggests a promising pre‑season.
Sunderland’s schedule was packed with trans‑Atlantic fixtures: a 5‑1 loss to York City on July 18, a 4‑2 win over Liverpool in Nashville on July 25, a 1‑0 loss to Leeds in New Jersey on July 31, a 1‑0 win over Wrexham in Philadelphia on August 2, a 4‑1 loss to Lens at their training ground on August 8, a 2‑0 win over Lens at Stade Bollaert‑Delelis on August 8 and a 2‑1 victory over Rennes on August 15. The Black Cats have shown both vulnerability and the capacity to bounce back. Tottenham Hotspur’s summer began with a 1‑0 win over MK Dons at their training ground on July 22, a 2‑0 win over Auckland FC on July 26, a 1‑1 draw with Sydney FC (4‑2 on pens) on July 29, a 2‑1 win over Chelsea in Sydney on August 1, a 1‑1 draw with Getafe at the Spurs training ground on August 8, a 3‑0 win over Hoffenheim at their home stadium on August 15 and a 2‑2 draw with Hoffenheim in a behind‑closed‑doors match on August 16.
Spurs have displayed attacking flair and defensive solidity. Beyond the individual club fixtures, Sky Sports announced its broadcasting commitments for the upcoming season, promising to air more than 1,500 live matches across the Premier League, Women’s Super League, English Football League and Scottish Premiership.
The network will feature a minimum of 215 live Premier League games in the 2026/27 campaign, with prime‑time 2 pm Sunday fixtures guaranteed on multiple weekends. Subscribers will be able to stream every live match via the Sky Sports app, while non‑subscribers can consider the flexible NOW TV options that allow day‑or‑month passes without long‑term contracts. Key dates to mark on the calendar include the Premier League kickoff on August 21, the Champions League group‑stage draw on August 27, the start of the Champions League group phase on September 8‑10, the FA Cup third round on January 9, the conclusion of the Champions League group phase on January 27, the start of the Champions League knockout rounds on February 16, the Carabao Cup final on March 21, the Premier League finale on May 30 and the Champions League final on June 5 at Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano Stadium. Fans are also invited to take part in the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £1 million, with free entry available.