Manchester City 2026 Preseason and Premier League Plans Under Enzo Maresca
Manchester City steps into a fresh chapter for the 2026/27 season with Enzo Maresca replacing Pep Guardiola, who spent ten years managing the club. The team wrapped up Guardiola’s era by winning the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, yet they missed out on the Premier League title.
Maresca, previously Chelsea’s head coach, now leads a youthful squad that has seen significant player changes over the last year and a half. His first opportunity to shape the team will come during their 2026 preseason fixtures.
Preseason Matches and Results
- Opponent: Inter Milan (Drew 1-1; Inter won 3-1 on penalties)
- Date: Saturday, August 1
- Location: Kai Tak Sports Park, Hong Kong
- Kickoff Time (ET): 7:30 a.m.
- Opponent: K-League All-Stars (Won 3-1)
- Date: Wednesday, August 5
- Location: Sangam Stadium, Seoul
- Kickoff Time (ET): 7 a.m.
- Opponent: Atletico Madrid (Won 3-1)
- Date: Sunday, August 9
- Location: Sangam Stadium, Seoul
- Kickoff Time (ET): 7 a.m.
- Opponent: Arsenal (Lost 3-0)
- Date: Sunday, August 16
- Location: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
- Kickoff Time (ET): 10 a.m.
Venues for Preseason Games
The opening preseason game was against Inter Milan, who were last season’s Champions League finalists, held in Hong Kong. Following this, the squad traveled to Seoul, South Korea, where they faced the K-League All-Stars and Atletico Madrid. The Community Shield match against Arsenal took place at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium due to scheduling conflicts involving global pop star The Weeknd.
Return of World Cup Players
Manchester City had 17 players involved in the World Cup, the highest number among Premier League teams. Players eliminated in the group stage or Round of 32 rejoined training before the tour began. Those knocked out in the Round of 16, including Portugal’s Ruben Dias and Matheus Nunes, Belgium’s Jeremy Doku, and Egypt’s Omar Marmoush, joined the squad during the tour except Doku, who took time off after becoming a new father during the tournament.
Players who advanced further, like Erling Haaland and record signing Elliot Anderson, returned in time for the Community Shield. Notably, World Cup-winning captain Rodri is absent as he prepares for back surgery in Spain amid transfer rumors linking him to Barcelona.
Start of Premier League Season
The league campaign kicks off on Sunday, August 23, with Manchester City hosting Bournemouth, a team also under new management. The match starts at 2 p.m. local time (9 a.m. ET). City’s first five Premier League fixtures for 2026/27 are:
- 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
The first Manchester derby of the season happens away at Old Trafford on September 13 before the international break begins on September 21. Ahead of the league start, Manchester City faces Arsenal in the FA Community Shield on August 16.
