By failing to prepare, you prepare to fail — or so the old saying goes.
It won’t be long before Premier League teams find themselves in the heat of competition once again, and over the coming weeks, all 20 of them will be looking to get the most out of their preparations for 2022-23.
There’ll be globetrotting tours to wow international fans, warm-weather training camps in exotic locations and friendlies designed to help new signings and experienced campaigners blow out the cobwebs.
Here is what Premier League clubs are planning during pre-season.
Pre-season fixtures:
- July 8: Nurnberg, Max-Morlock-Stadion, Nuremberg
- July 16: Everton, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore
- July 20: Orlando City, Exploria Stadium, Orlando
- July 23: Chelsea, Camping World Stadium, Orlando
- July 30: Sevilla, Emirates Stadium
When do they report back for pre-season training? The week commencing June 27.
What to look out for: This pre-season, Arsenal are planning on two foreign training camps: an initial shorter one in Germany before a US tour which takes in Baltimore and Orlando. The club are also likely to confirm at least a couple more friendlies to ensure sharpness at the start of the season.
The identity of these opponents is yet to be revealed, although there is the possibility some of these will be held behind closed doors at the club’s London Colney training centre. The fixture against Sevilla will form part of a returning Emirates Cup.
🇺🇸 Heading stateside this summer…
The @FC_Series awaits 🙌
#FCSeries | #FloridaCup— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 19, 2022
Aston Villa
- July 9: Walsall, Poundland Bescot Stadium
- July 17: Leeds, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
- July 20: Brisbane Roar, Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
- July 23: Manchester United, Optus Stadium, Perth
- July 30: Rennes, Roazhon Park, France
When do they report back for pre-season training? TBC
What to look out for: In his first pre-season campaign as Aston Villa head coach, Steven Gerrard will be heading Down Under. Villa’s preparations for the 2022-23 season will be headlined by a tour of Australia, with games against familiar foes Leeds and Manchester United sandwiching a meeting with Brisbane Roar.
Villa’s tour will be a far cry from the pre-season schedule in 2021-22, where they played six domestic friendlies.
Pre-season fixtures:
- July 30: Real Sociedad, Vitality Stadium
When do they report back for pre-season training? There is no set date as yet but Bournemouth’s players are expected to return for pre-season testing at the end of June. The likes of Chris Mepham, Ryan Christie and Jamal Lowe are currently on international duty, and are expected to join a little later.
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What to look out for: After jetting away to sunny Marbella last year, Bournemouth are set for another exotic pre-season trip to the Algarve in Portugal, where Scott Parker took his Fulham squad in 2019. The tour will run from July 10-20 and the club are expecting to have “a couple of friendlies” in Portugal, as well as multiple at the Vitality Stadium.
If last season’s preparations are anything to go by, the warm weather, along with Parker’s gruelling training regimen, should be a fitting precursor for what looks set to be a tough season in the Premier League.
Pre-season fixtures:
- July 9: Boreham Wood, Meadow Park
- July 16: Stuttgart, Zeppelinstadion, Friedrichshafen
- July 23: Wolfsburg, AOK Stadium
- July 30: Real Betis, Brentford Community Stadium
When do they report back for pre-season training? After enjoying an extended break following their first season in the Premier League, Brentford’s players will be expected to report back towards the end of June. Players who have been called up to represent their countries in the Nations League in June, including David Raya and Christian Norgaard, will be allowed to return slightly later.
What to look out for: Due to the pandemic, Brentford decided against travelling abroad last summer and held their training camp at St George’s Park. With the lifting of restrictions, they will be venturing out to south-west Germany this year for friendlies against Stuttgart and Wolfsburg.
Their final fixture before a Premier League date at Leicester will take place at the Brentford Community Stadium, with Real Betis in town.
Brighton & Hove Albion
Pre-season fixtures:
- July 9: Union Saint-Gilloise, Amex Elite Performance Centre
- July 16: TBC, Estoril, Portugal
- July 23: Reading, Select Car Leasing Stadium
- July 26: Brentford, Amex Elite Performance Centre
- July 30: Espanyol, Amex
When do they report back for pre-season training? Players not involved in internationals will report back on June 27. Those that have been on international duty return later on staggered dates, depending on when they finish with their countries.
What to look out for: Brighton travelled no further than Glasgow last year because of the pandemic, but a week-long training camp in alpine or summer holiday destinations somewhere in Europe is customary. Portugal was popular during the Gus Poyet era and Graham Potter’s side are heading there again, though their opposition is still to be confirmed. Two behind-closed-doors games have been scheduled at the club’s training ground either side of a trip to face Reading, but the Amex is set to host a final warm-up fixture before the big Premier League kick-off.
Pre-season fixtures:
- July 16: Club America, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
- July 20: Charlotte FC, Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
- July 23: Arsenal, Camping World Stadium, Orlando
When do they report back for pre-season training? The Chelsea squad fly out to the US on July 9, although they are expected to start earlier at Cobham. Those involved in internationals during June will be given a longer break.
What to look out for: The timing of Chelsea’s trip to the US couldn’t be any better. Plans to play across the Atlantic were already being put in place before Roman Abramovich was sanctioned. Now an American consortium is taking over, the club’s owners can show off their new asset on home soil.
Thomas Tuchel’s squad will spend the first week training in Los Angeles, which should also get a bit of attention given two of the new investors, Todd Boehly and Mark Walter, also own a stake in the LA Dodgers.
Chelsea used to be regular visitors to the US but this will be their first tour there since Antonio Conte was appointed as manager six years ago. The club will have nearly two weeks to prepare for the opening Premier League game on their return, so will organise more games to fill the gap.
Pre-season fixtures:
- July 15: Liverpool, National Stadium, Singapore
- July 19: Manchester United, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
- July 22: Leeds United, Optus Stadium, Perth
When do they report back for pre-season training? June 27
What to look out for: This is an unusual pre-season for Palace, with a trip to Australia and Singapore on the calendar. Despite travelling to Hong Kong for the Premier League Asia Trophy in 2017, recent tours have been based in Europe.
There will be a home friendly — likely against international opposition — the weekend before the season starts but those not making the trip to the other side of the world will mostly have to settle for youth-team games to get their fix.
Pre-season fixtures:
- July 16: Arsenal, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore
- July 20: Minnesota United, Allianz Field, Minnesota
When do they report back for pre-season training? July 1
What to look out for: Although the wider warm-up fixture schedule is yet to be finalised by the club, particularly any domestic games, it should be a typical pre-season for Frank Lampard’s first spell of preparation as Everton manager.
There promises to be plenty of new faces, and some familiar ones gone, but Lampard is likely to try and implement his long-term footballing philosophy next season, and clues may be found in the shape of the team for some of their friendlies.
Pre-season fixtures:
- July 16: Nice, Estadio Algarve, Portugal
- July 17: Benfica, Estadio Algarve, Portugal
- July 24: Estoril, Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota
- July 31: Villarreal, Craven Cottage
When do they report back for pre-season training? June 29
What to look out for: This pre-season will seem a world away from the experiences of the last two summers. In 2020, Fulham had 39 days to prepare for the Premier League while last year, the departure of Scott Parker meant pre-season began with veteran Stuart Gray overseeing proceedings.
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This time, Fulham have a more structured approach to their planning and will be heading overseas for a short training camp in the Algarve, Portugal, in July. They will play in a mini tournament, the Algarve Trophy, at the Estadio Algarve before returning to the UK for their final preparations — including a home test against Villarreal.
Leeds United
Pre-season fixtures:
- July 7: Blackpool, York City
- July 14: Brisbane Roar, Cbus Super Stadium, Robina, Queensland
- July 17: Aston Villa, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
- July 22: Crystal Palace, Optus Stadium, Perth
- July 31: Cagliari, Elland Road
When do they report back for pre-season training? Those not involved in international duty over the summer returned on Monday (June 27). Internationals are back this Monday coming (July 4).
What to look out for: Like a clutch of other Premier League teams, Leeds will be strutting their stuff in Australia this summer.
In a tour sure to evoke memories of their last trip Down Under in 2019, which was headlined by a clash with rivals Manchester United at the Optus Stadium in Perth, Jesse Marsch’s side will meet Premier League opposition again in Aston Villa and Crystal Palace, as well as taking on Brisbane Roar. Matches against the A-League side and Villa will form the Queensland Champions Cup.
One big thing to look out for on Monday July 5 is: will Raphinha be there? Or will he have left the club by then?
Pre-season fixtures:
- July 9: Notts County, Seagrave
- July 16: OH Leuven, Den Dreef Stadium, Leuven
- July 23: Derby County, Pride Park
- July 23: Preston North End, Deepdale
- July 31: Sevilla, King Power Stadium
When do they report back for pre-season training? June 28
What to look out for: The King Power Stadium is being used for the Community Shield this year but Leicester have managed to squeeze in a showpiece final home friendly against Sevilla the day after the traditional curtain-raiser. They have also planned a trip to Belgium and a handful of games against lower-league domestic opposition.
Pre-season fixtures:
- July 12: Manchester United, Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok
- July 15: Crystal Palace, National Stadium, Singapore
- July 21: RB Leipzig, Red Bull Arena
- July 27: Red Bull Salzburg, Red Bull Arena
- July 30: Manchester City, King Power Stadium, Community Shield
- July 31: Strasbourg, Anfield
When do they report back for pre-season training? The Liverpool squad will assemble at Kirkby’s AXA Training Centre on July 4.
What to look out for: This will be a return to what was typical before the pandemic, with Liverpool going on a lucrative overseas tour before the focus shifts to a trip to Germany.
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Friendlies in Thailand and Singapore will represent Liverpool’s first trip to the Far East since 2017 when they went to Hong Kong. It forms part of their agreement with shirt sponsors Standard Chartered. The club have a hugely passionate fanbase in that part of the world and they are guaranteed two big turnouts for the games in Bangkok and Singapore. They are scheduled to fly out on July 9 and then return to Merseyside a week later.
Without a major international tournament this summer, Jurgen Klopp should have his full squad together for the full pre-season programme. You can expect a punishing training schedule, with double sessions most days. Tactically, the time will be spent trying to work on how the style of the team can evolve to stay unpredictable. It will be fascinating to see where new signing Fabio Carvalho fits in following his arrival from Fulham. Liverpool have no plans to loan out the youngster, who can play across the front line or as an attacking midfielder.
Manchester City
Pre-season fixtures:
- July 21: Club America, NRG Stadium, Houston
- July 24: Bayern Munich, Lambeau Field, Green Bay
- July 30: Liverpool, King Power Stadium, Community Shield
When do they report back for pre-season training? TBC
What to look out for: City will have the luxury of having their players back without worrying about international summer tournaments. Last year, they had more players away with their countries than any other top European club and that was reflected in the number of youngsters who played in their pre-season friendlies, which were played at the Academy Stadium.
That hampered their start to the league campaign, too, so they will be delighted to have proper time with the whole squad this summer. The most interesting aspects will be how Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez start life at their new club, and a US audience will get to see that now that travel is back on the agenda. City are also set to travel to Barcelona after the season starts to play a charity friendly on August 24.
Manchester United
Pre-season fixtures:
- July 12: Liverpool, Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok
- July 15: Melbourne Victory, Melbourne Cricket Ground
- July 19: Crystal Palace, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
- July 23: Aston Villa, Optus Stadium, Perth
- July 30: Atletico Madrid, Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo
- July 31: Rayo Vallecano, Old Trafford
When do they report back for pre-season training? New manager Erik ten Hag said some of the players will return on June 27.
What to look out for: The Ten Hag era will get underway nearly 10,000 miles away from Old Trafford when Manchester United travel to Thailand and Australia this summer.
Their first friendly of the summer pits them against rivals Liverpool in Bangkok before games against Melbourne Victory and Crystal Palace in Melbourne and Perth respectively. United renew hostilities with Atletico Madrid, who knocked them out of the Champions League last season, before hosting Rayo Vallecano.
A typical globe-trotting pre-season awaits as United supporters search for signs of a new course of direction under their new manager.
Nottingham Forest
Pre-season fixtures:
- July 8: Coventry City, Pinatar Arena, Murcia
- July 12: Burton Albion, Pirelli Stadium
- July 16: Barnsley, Oakwell
- July 20: Hertha Berlin, Pirelli Stadium
- July 23: Union Berlin, Stadion an der Alten Forsterei, Berlin
When do they report back for pre-season training? TBC
What to look out for: Forest are gearing up for the top flight for the first time in a generation and two of their pre-season fixtures will take place at Burton — one against Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s side and the other against Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin — while the City Ground is being prepared for Premier League football.
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Steve Cooper’s side head to Spain for a training camp in Alicante beforehand, while there are reunions in the schedule with Dane Murphy’s former club, Barnsley and £17m record signing Taiwo Awoniyi’s recent employers, Union Berlin. The club are still to announce their final warm-up fixtures before they kick off their Premier League season with a trip to Newcastle on August 6.
Newcastle
Pre-season fixtures:
- July 15: 1860 Munich, Saalfelden Arena
- July 18: Mainz 05, Kufstein Arena
- July 26: Benfica, Estadio da Luz
- July 29: Atalanta, St James’ Park
- July 30: Athletic Bilbao, St James’ Park
When do they report back for pre-season training? July 1
What to look out for: Eddie Howe had meticulously planned a 10-day trip to Cincinnati for mid-July, with a training camp and matches against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Valencia and Villarreal scheduled in the Ohio Cup, but that has now been cancelled.
Howe’s side will instead travel to Austria for a pre-season training camp that includes two games against German opposition. That camp will be followed by a trip to Lisbon to take on Benfica, before back-to-back friendlies at St James’ Park against Atalanta and Athletic Bilbao, for which Howe is expected to split his squad.
Pre-season fixtures:
- July 18: SK Austria Klagenfurt, Worthersee Stadium
- July 23: Watford, Wealdstone FC, Ruislip
- July 30: Villarreal, St Mary’s
When do they report back for pre-season training? Late June
What to look out for: Southampton’s annual pre-season trip to Austria is favoured by Ralph Hasenhuttl and is designed to maximise performance and fitness, as opposed to commercial gain. They will travel to the lakeside resort of Velden am Worthersee for one week on July 13.
Whilst in Austria, Southampton have organised a fixture against Klagenfurt, who finished sixth in Austria’s Bundesliga, in their 32,000-capacity stadium. What is notable about this match is that Hasenhuttl’s son, Patrick, plays for Klagenfurt.
Pre-season fixtures:
- July 13: Team K League, Seoul World Cup Stadium, South Korea
- July 16: Sevilla, Suwon World Cup Stadium, South Korea
- July 23: Rangers, Ibrox
- July 30: Roma, Sammy Ofer Stadium, Haifa, Israel
When do they report back for pre-season training? The plan is for those players who haven’t been involved in internationals since the season finished to return around Monday, July 4. For those on international duty, they will return in time to fly with the team to South Korea on Saturday, July 9.
What to look out for: Tottenham’s summer plans are fairly typical of a pre-COVID-19 world, with a combination of overseas trips and a game in the UK. South Korea will be fascinating given the presence in the Spurs ranks of Son Heung-min and the national team’s women’s captain Cho So-hyun. Their opponents for a friendly in Israel — Jose Mourinho’s Roma — will give the occasion extra spice.
West Ham
Pre-season fixtures:
- July 8: Servette, Stade de Geneve, Switzerland
- July 12: Ipswich Town, Portman Road
- July 12: Boreham Wood, Meadow Park
- July 16: Reading, Select Car Leasing Stadium
- July 19: Rangers, Ibrox
- July 23: Luton Town, Kenilworth Road
- July 30: RC Lens, Stade Bollaert-Delelis, France
When do they report back for pre-season training? June 27
What to look out for: A seventh-placed finish in the Premier League last season secured Europa Conference League football and with David Moyes’s side heading straight for the play-off round, West Ham won’t have to play any competitive qualification matches before the new season gets underway on August 6.
Last season, the COVID-19 pandemic restricted West Ham to friendlies in England and Scotland and, while they will be making return trips this summer, they will start and finish their schedule on the continent.
Pre-season fixtures:
- July 20: Deportivo Alaves, Camilo Cano Stadium, La Nucia, Spain
- July 23: Besiktas, Camilo Cano Stadium, La Nucia, Spain
- July 30: Sporting CP, Estadio Algarve, Portugal
- July 31: SC Farense, Estadio Sao Luis, Portugal
When do they report back for pre-season training? This is likely to be Monday, June 27, for Wolves’ non-international players. The rest, like Conor Coady, Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho, will return to Compton Park a week or two later.
What to look out for: Wolves had to rearrange their plans after after a US tour, playing games against Newcastle, Valencia and Villarreal, and visiting Ohio and California, fell through. They’ve now secured a series of games in Spain and Portugal.
(Top photo: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)