Manchester City 2026 Preseason and Early Season Plans Under Enzo Maresca

Manchester City is stepping into a fresh chapter for the 2026/27 season with Enzo Maresca taking over after Pep Guardiola’s decade-long leadership. Despite winning both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup last season, City missed out on the Premier League title.

Maresca, formerly Chelsea's manager, now has the task of shaping a youthful squad that has seen many changes in the past year and a half. His first opportunity to imprint his style will come during City's preseason fixtures.

Manchester City 2026 Preseason Fixtures and Results

• Opponent: Inter Milan (Draw 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 (Win 3-1)
• Date: Wednesday, August 5
• Location: Sangam Stadium, Seoul
• Kickoff Time (ET): 7 a.m.

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

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

Preseason Match Locations

The preseason started with a match against 2023 Champions League finalists Inter Milan in Hong Kong. Then City traveled to Seoul, South Korea, for games against a K-League All-Stars team and Atletico Madrid. Due to a scheduling conflict with pop artist The Weeknd, the Community Shield clash was held at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.

Return of World Cup Players

Manchester City had 17 players involved in the World Cup, more than any other Premier League club. Those eliminated early—from the group stage and Round of 32—were back in training before the preseason tour began.

Players 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 for Doku who took time off due to becoming a new father.

Key players like Erling Haaland and Elliot Anderson returned just in time for the Community Shield. The World Cup-winning captain Rodri is absent as he prepares for back surgery in Spain and is linked with a move to Barcelona.

Start of Premier League Campaign

Manchester City will kick off their league season at home against Bournemouth on August 23, a team also under new management. The kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. local time (9 a.m. ET). Following that are four more league matches, including the first Manchester derby at Old Trafford versus United, before the international break begins on September 21.

Before the league starts, they will play the competitive opener in the FA Community Shield against Arsenal on August 16.

First Five Premier League Matches for Manchester City 2026/27

• 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