Manchester City 2026 Preseason Plans and Early Fixtures Under Enzo Maresca

New Chapter Begins for Manchester City in 2026/27

Manchester City enters the 2026/27 season with Enzo Maresca stepping up as head coach, following Pep Guardiola's ten-year reign. City wrapped up Guardiola’s final year by securing the Carabao Cup and FA Cup but fell short of the Premier League title.

Maresca now faces the task of shaping a youthful squad that has seen significant player changes over the past year and a half. The upcoming preseason games will offer the first glimpse of his approach.

2026 Preseason Matches and Results

• Opponent: Inter Milan (Draw 1-1; lost 1-3 on penalties)
• Date: Saturday, August 1
• Location: Kai Tak Sports Park, Hong Kong
• Kickoff: 7:30 a.m. ET

• Opponent: K-League All-Stars (Win 3-1)
• Date: Wednesday, August 5
• Location: Sangam Stadium, Seoul
• Kickoff: 7 a.m. ET

• Opponent: Atletico Madrid (Win 3-1)
• Date: Sunday, August 9
• Location: Sangam Stadium, Seoul
• Kickoff: 7 a.m. ET

• Opponent: Arsenal (Loss 0-3)
• Date: Sunday, August 16
• Location: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
• Kickoff: 10 a.m. ET

Locations for Preseason Matches

The preseason kicked off against Inter Milan, City's opponent in the 2023 Champions League final, in Hong Kong. Afterwards, the squad traveled to Seoul for matches against a K-League All-Stars team and Atletico Madrid. The Community Shield clash with Arsenal was moved to Cardiff’s Principality Stadium due to a scheduling conflict with pop star The Weeknd.

World Cup Players’ Return to Training

Manchester City had 17 players involved in the recent World Cup, more than any other Premier League club. Those eliminated early returned to training before the preseason tour began. Players like Portugal’s Ruben Dias and Matheus Nunes, Belgium’s Jeremy Doku, and Egypt’s Omar Marmoush joined during the tour, except Doku who missed it due to becoming a new father.

Players who progressed further, including Erling Haaland and record signing Elliot Anderson, rejoined for the Community Shield match. Captain Rodri, the tournament’s player of the event, is sidelined for back surgery in Spain and linked with a move to Barcelona.

First Premier League Fixtures of 2026/27

Manchester City's league campaign starts at home against Bournemouth on August 23, another club under fresh management. The kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. local time (9 a.m. ET). Following that, there are four more league matches before the international break on September 21, including the season’s first Manchester derby at Old Trafford against United.

The season officially begins competitively with the FA Community Shield against Arsenal on August 16.

• Date: Sunday, August 23 - Opponent: Bournemouth - Home/Away: Home
• Date: Friday, August 28 - Opponent: Crystal Palace - Home/Away: Away
• Date: Saturday, September 5 - Opponent: Coventry City - Home/Away: Home
• Date: Sunday, September 13 - Opponent: Manchester United - Home/Away: Away
• Date: Saturday, September 19 - Opponent: Sunderland - Home/Away: Home