After players enjoy some well-earned vacation following the international window in early June, they'll be focused on getting back into gear for the upcoming club season with July being the big month for preparations.
Each year, a variety of different European clubs head to the United States for summer tuneup matches, with the goal of getting ready for the new campaign. The summer of 2022 will see several giants make their return stateside after a couple of summers of reduced international travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A host of top Premier League clubs have already confirmed matches this summer in the United States, with other European clubs also joining in. More are likely to be announced in the coming weeks as the 2021-22 season comes to an end. Additionally, big clubs from Spain and Germany are also confirmed to make summer trips to the U.S.
Here's a full rundown of all the top European clubs heading to the United States for summer friendlies.
MORE: Which teams are in the 2022-23 Champions League?
Summer 2022 USA tour matches
| Date | Time (ET) | Club | Opponent | Venue | City |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, July 16 | TBD | Chelsea | Club America | Allegiant Stadium | Las Vegas, Nev. |
| Sat, July 16 | 7 p.m. | Arsenal | Everton | M&T Bank Stadium | Baltimore, Md. |
| Tue, July 19 | TBD | Barcelona | Inter Miami | DRV PNK Stadium | Miami, Fla. |
| Wed, July 20 | 7 p.m. | Bayern Munich | D.C. United | Audi Field | Washington, D.C. |
| Wed, July 20 | 8 p.m. | Everton | Minnesota United | Allianz Field | Minneapolis, Min. |
| Wed, July 20 | 8:30 p.m. | Man City | Club America | NRG Stadium | Houston, Tex. |
| Wed, July 20 | TBD | Chelsea | Charlotte FC | Bank of America Stadium | Charlotte, N.C. |
| Wed, July 20 | TBD | Arsenal | Orlando City SC | Exploria Stadium | Orlando, Fla. |
| Sat, July 23 | TBD | Chelsea | Arsenal | Camping World Stadium | Orlando, Fla. |
| Sat, July 30 | 7 p.m. | Barcelona | NY Red Bulls | Red Bull Arena | Harrison, N.J. |
| TBD* | TBD | Barcelona | Real Madrid | Allegiant Stadium | Las Vegas, Nev. |
| TBD* | TBD | Barcelona | Juventus | TBD | Los Angeles, Calif. |
*Still to be confirmed
Manchester City USA Tour
Defending Premier League champions Man City are set to play a pair of matches in the United States. The preseason trip marks Man City's first since prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The first match comes against Liga MX side Club America on July 20 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. It's the second time Man City will play in Houston, after a 2017 preseason friendly against rivals Manchester United as part of the International Champions Cup.
Surprisingly, the second match does not see Man City come to play at Yankee Stadium, home of sister club NYCFC. Instead...
Bayern Munich vs Man City at Lambeau Field
Man City's second preseason friendly will come against German giants Bayern Munich at the famed Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It's the first time that the Green Bay Packers' home stadium will host a soccer match.
The match, to be played on July 23, will mark Bayern's fifth preseason trip to the United States since 2014, and its first trip to the U.S. since a 10-day journey in 2019 that saw the club take on Real Madrid, AC Milan, and Arsenal.
The game pits Man City boss Pep Guardiola against his former club, where he enjoyed a three-year stay before joining the Premier League side.
Much like Man City have done, the game will be the second part of Bayern's "Back on the Road" tour, a nod to the first preseason tour for Bayern since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It will be great to see the enthusiasm of the people out there," said Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn in a club statement. "FC Bayern are 'Back on the Road' — always looking forward and with the aim of bringing joy to our fans.”
Bayern Munich vs D.C. United
Before taking on Man City, Bayern Munich will first fly to the nation's capital to take on MLS side D.C. United on July 20.
The game will mark the first meeting between the two clubs. It's a step up for D.C. United, who hosted Real Betis in a preseason friendly back in 2019.
It is unclear whether star striker Robert Lewandowski will be with Bayern Munich for this tour, as the Polish superstar is rumored to be on his way out of the club this summer.
Chelsea vs Arsenal derby in Orlando
Two Premier League sides meet as part of the FC Series "Clash of Nations" tour in Orlando, Florida.
Chelsea and Arsenal, two sides gunning for Champions League places in the Premier League this season, meet on Saturday, July 23 at Camping World Stadium. They met twice this season in Premier League play, with the away team winning on each occasion in August (Arsenal 0, Chelsea 2) and April (Chelsea 2, Arsenal 4).
The two clubs will each play two additional matches in the preseason friendly series, with games on July 16 and July 20.
MORE: Who will Arsenal play in preseason schedule?
Chelsea vs Charlotte FC, Club America
Chelsea's complete U.S. preseason tour was only recently confirmed, likely due to the much-discussed change in ownership.
Prior to the Arsenal match, Chelsea will also take on Mexican side Club America in Las Vegas and then head east to meet new MLS expansion club Charlotte FC in North Carolina.
While the Blues' sale is not yet complete, and there have been reported complications, it is thought that the sale to Todd Boehly and his ownership consortium will eventually go through, lifting the sanctions and this allowing the Blues to fulfill their match obligations.
"The club will be joining [the U.S. tour] under new ownership," said Chelsea in the official release. "The Blues will only travel if the sale of the club has completed and accordingly are no longer subject to United Kingdom government sanctions."
Arsenal vs Orlando City
The second Arsenal fixture in the preseason tour, taking place on July 20, sees the Gunners again play in Orlando against MLS club Orlando City. The match will take place at Orlando City's home Exploria Stadium, right down the road from Camping World Stadium.
A kickoff time for the match has not yet been announced.
The game will be the first meeting between the clubs, with Orlando City SC only first beginning play in 2015.
"It’s been a long time since we’ve seen our fans in the US and we’re looking forward to playing in front of them," said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta via the club's website. "We’ll be playing some good sides that will provide strong opposition and the training and matchday facilities in Orlando will provide a first-class environment for our preparations for next season.”
Everton vs Arsenal, Minnesota United
Currently locked in a vicious Premier League relegation battle, Everton is already scheduled for two preseason friendlies in the United States.
The Toffees will meet Arsenal at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md. on July 16 before traveling to Allianz Field in Minneapolis to take on Minnesota United. The USMNT played a famously cold match against Honduras in World Cup qualifying in Minneapolis this past winter, but the weather should be much toastier during the summer months.
"In my short time at the club, I have learned how Everton is one of the most-followed English clubs in the USA," said Everton manager Frank Lampard. “Having spent part of my playing career on the East Coast — and playing at M&T Bank Stadium myself in 2009 — I know how much excitement there is for football in the United States, and it is continually on the rise.”
Everton's Premier League status is in serious question with two matches remaining in the 2021-22 season.
Barcelona meet pair of MLS clubs
One of the biggest clubs in the world is coming to the United States this summer for a pair of MLS friendlies on the east coast.
Barcelona has a busy summer, first set to play a friendly match in Australia on May 25, just days after the La Liga season concludes. The Catalan giants will then have June off before heading to the United States for a pair of matches, and maybe more.
The Blaugrana take on Inter Miami on July 16 before heading north for a July 30 friendly against the New York Red Bulls.
🇺🇸 FC Barcelona return to the United States this summer to play two friendlies against Inter Miami CF and the New York Red Bulls
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 19, 2022
There's also a third U.S. friendly that's not yet confirmed but rumored to be happening...
El Clasico in Las Vegas?
According to a report by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, talks between Barcelona and Real Madrid are at an "advanced stage" to hold a summer friendly at the brand new Allegiant Stadium in Sin City. The match will reportedly take place sometime between the two MLS friendlies Barcelona has scheduled on July 16 and July 30.
The report states that there is "general optimism" that the deal will be completed and a match between the two La Liga rivals will take place in July.
It would be the second time the two teams meet for a summer friendly in the United States after the 2017 match at Hard Rock Stadium that saw Barcelona win 3-2. The match would potentially be the second summer friendly featuring a European club team to be held at Allegiant Stadium, adding to the game between Chelsea and Club America already scheduled.
Lastly, Barcelona also reportedly has a fourth U.S. friendly rumored to be in the works, with a game against Juventus in Los Angeles also apparently on the docket. Inter Milan was also a rumored friendly opponent for the Blaugrana, but further word on that front hasn't filtered through since late April, and it seems Barcelona's summer schedule is already quite full.
Summer 2022 USA tour match schedule for Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea, Bayern, Man City, and more - Sporting News
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