Football escapades: Top preseason matches in 2025
As the curtains close on a massive 2024/25 season, the path to another monumental campaign is opening up for the 2025/26 season! The lead-up to that massive season starts with key preseason matchups featuring some of Europe’s top football clubs, as they look to recharge and reignite their passion ahead of a new season.
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With the major European leagues on pause, football clubs are darting across the globe to provide fans with some exciting matchups! You can learn more about betting on these preseason matchups alongside the various Club World Cup bets this summer.
The preseason is the time for clubs to prepare for the upcoming 2025/26 season, a massive campaign for every club. Here are the can’t-miss preseason clashes you must watch in 2025:
Liverpool’s high-stakes 2025 preseason
With the 2025/26 Premier League season fast approaching, all eyes are on the defending champions, Liverpool FC. After their superb campaign, they are not resting on their laurels knowing that Manchester City will return to full strength and Arsenal are gradually improving.
Liverpool has already made the necessary changes to uplift the squad with additions like Dutch right-back Jeremie Frimpong and superstar midfielder Florian Wirtz. Promising left-back Milos Kerkez also looks like a done deal, which strengthens the club’s chances of defending their title against two mighty rivals.
The Premier League season starts on Saturday, August 16, 2025, but Liverpool will be playing in the weeks leading up to it as part of their preseason tour. This includes a first-time visit to Japan, where they will play against J.League club Yokohama F. Marinos.
J.League World Challenge: Liverpool vs Yokohama F. Marinos (July 30, 2025)
Liverpool FC are heading to Japan for the first time, and it’s more than a commercial tour. This marks a special return for Japanese star Wataru Endō, who will take the pitch in his homeland as the Reds play against J.League giants Yokohama F. Marinos on July 30.
It is not only a football match, but also it's a celebration of Japan’s growing love for the game. This promises to be a landmark event for fans in Asia. For Liverpool, this serves as an ideal test ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League title defence.
The Reds are now aiming to retain their Premier League crown. With that, they can go deeper in domestic and European cup competitions. A strong performance in this match should help them build momentum, especially with new players in Arne Slot’s system.
Japanese fans will make the stadium’s atmosphere electric, as they are known for their love for football. With Endō coming home, this could be a special moment for fans and the players.
Liverpool’s full 2025 preseason fixture list
Liverpool’s Japan tour is just one part of their busy schedule. This preseason will be where they get reps ahead of a season filled with ambition. The Reds want to win all the trophies, including the Champions League. Here is a schedule of the matches Liverpool will play:
- July 13 - Liverpool vs Preston North End at Deepdale
- July 26 - Liverpool vs AC Milan in Hong Kong
- July 30 - Liverpool vs Yokohama F. Marinos
- August 4 - Liverpool vs Athletic Club
In addition to these matches, Liverpool will play for the Community Shield against FA Cup winners Crystal Palace. Apart from Liverpool’s extensive preseason schedule, other clubs from the Premier League and around Europe will also have some important matches worldwide.
Other major preseason matches between English Premier League clubs
Before all the major leagues start around late August, the clubs usually travel the world to play some of the biggest matches. This is a good opportunity for fans from various countries to see their favourite clubs competing in other contexts. Despite it being preseason, you should expect some intensity, drama, and passionate matches!
Here are some of the best matches between English Premier League clubs:
Club Friendlies: Manchester United vs Leeds United (July 19)
England has many rivalries across its many football clubs, but only a few are as storied and intense as the Roses Derby between Manchester United and Leeds United. This rivalry has been brewing since the early 1900s, mostly because of their proximity to each other. They have gone toe-to-toe through the years, but Leeds have not been as strong as their rivals.
Their return to the Premier League means the Roses Derby is back on the table. However, the two clubs will play against each other before their 2025/26 league meetings in a preseason matchup set for Stockholm, Sweden.
It will be played on Saturday, on July 19, at the Strawberry Arena. For Leeds, it’s a big test ahead of their return to top-flight football after their relegation in 2023. For Man United, this is a chance to reset after a disastrous 2024/25 season that saw them slump to 15th, the club’s lowest finish in the Premier League era.
The transfer window is wide open in early July, so new signings like Matheus Cunha can showcase their impact on their new clubs. While it is a friendly match, do not be fooled! The rivalry, pride, and ambition of both clubs will lead to this match being anything but a casual one.
Hong Kong Football Festival: Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur (July 31)
From one iconic rivalry to another, the North London Derby will be played outside England for the first time. The destination is Hong Kong on July 31, 2025. While it is officially billed as friendly, any match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur is never short on intensity, so that ‘friendly’ tag will be in name only.
This historic clash will take place at the newly built Kai Tak Stadium, a 50,000-seat venue that has already sold out for this match. That speaks volumes about the magnitude of this matchup because Arsenal and Spurs have packed a stadium on the other side of the world, proving that the North London Derby transcends boundaries.
It promises to be a major event for both clubs, with Arsenal eager to lay down a marker ahead of a potential title charge. On the other hand, Spurs want to carry forward the momentum from their Europa League triumph, the club’s first piece of silverware since 2008.
With Arsenal expected to have a busy summer transfer window, their newest signings must be integrated quickly by July. Tottenham are making some changes at the managerial level, so they are hoping to kick off their new chapter with a big win against their bitter rivals. This may be a North London Derby away from home, but the significance remains the same.
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Major preseason matches across international clubs
The English clubs won’t be exclusively playing each other in their friendlies since they will also play against other clubs from European countries! Have a look at some other matches in the preseason calendar:
Singapore Festival of Football: Arsenal vs AC Milan (July 23)
Arsenal will play against Italian giants AC Milan a week before they play against their fierce rival, Spurs. Of course, Milan is coming off a nightmare 2024/25 season in Serie A, which saw them finish eighth in the league table. Milan did not qualify for any UEFA tournament, so the club will only play in Serie A and Italy’s cup competitions in the 2025/26 season.
AC Milan can start their bounce-back campaign in this matchup against Arsenal. Massimiliano Allegri has returned to Milan to lead them after the club sacked Sérgio Conceição. This match against one of Europe’s best teams will be a good trial run for Allegri and Milan.
The North London side can rotate players in their preseason, allowing them to have a strong and healthy squad heading into their massive campaigns in the Premier League and the Champions League.
Telekom Cup: Bayern Munich vs Tottenham Hotspur (August 7)
In what’s shaping up to be an emotional showdown, Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich will host Spurs at the Allianz Arena on August 7 as part of the Telekom Cup. This big match will reunite Bayern’s star striker Harry Kane with his former club, a story that could add some fire to a friendly fixture.
Kane is now a central figure in Bayern’s attack, as he still holds Spurs’ all-time top scorer record. His North London legacy ensures that eyes will be on him in this matchup because he will line up against his old side. What makes this even better is the prospect of seeing Kane playing against his longtime teammate Son Heung-min.
This will be the first time the iconic duo have met as rivals since they both lifted trophies. Spurs will be eager to make a statement, using this match to generate momentum ahead of their Premier League and Champions League campaigns.
On the other hand, Bayern look to sharpen their edge. They aim to defend their Bundesliga crown and launch a stronger campaign in Europe. With all the narratives and star power surrounding this clash, Bayern enters as the favourite for this preseason encounter.
However, if you believe Spurs can get the win in this Telekom Cup matchup, it might be a prime opportunity for an underdog bet.
The Sela Cup: Newcastle United vs Atlético Madrid (August 9)
Fresh off their first major trophy in over 50 years thanks to their Carabao Cup win, Newcastle United enter the 2025 preseason with a new swagger. They are looking to carry that winning momentum into their Sela Cup clash with Atlético Madrid in the Sela Cup on August 9.
This high-profile fixture offers the Magpies a good test ahead of their Champions League football return for the 2025/26 season. They are playing against an experienced Atlético side managed by Diego Simeone. This will be a tactically rigid and mentally tough opponent for Newcastle, so they must be prepared ahead of the matchup.
Both clubs are expected to make some big signings in the summer transfer window, so this match could be a test run for the players. This match will be played at the iconic St. James’ Park, so Newcastle fans will showcase their support for their club and urge them to win against a tough Spanish side.
Why preseason games are important in football
Preseason is far more than just about building fitness or playing low-stakes friendlies. These matches lay the foundation for every successful campaign. They give the clubs opportunities to fine-tune their tactics, elevate squad depth, and integrate the new signings into the system.
Liverpool is aiming for this ahead of their 2025/26 title defence. They want players like Frimpong, Wirtz, and more to be integrated into the system as fast as possible.
Aside from that, here are some reasons behind the preseason games’ importance:
- With no league points on the line, clubs can freely experiment. This can be done to test out new formations, strategies, and even new player roles.
- Fans around the world, especially outside Europe, get rare chances to watch their favourite clubs live as teams travel abroad.
- It provides essential preparation ahead of a high-stakes season, helping players adjust to fresh tactics, new combinations, and positions.
- New signings get a chance to acclimate themselves without pressure. They will learn their roles and develop chemistry with teammates before the competitive fixtures begin.
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The 2025 preseason offers more than warm-up matches. It is a global celebration of football, as it is filled with rivalries, redemption stories, and many star-studded encounters! Whether you are following Liverpool’s first tour in Japan, watching Kane go against his former club or Leeds’ return to prominence, there is something for everyone!
Stay ahead of the game with Sportsbet.io and its promotions, and bet on select preseason matches while learning key insights all summer long. The season starts with the preseason, and the excitement kicks off when you place a Multi Bet with a Price Boost!
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