Man City pre-season fixtures: Schedule, how to watch and kickoff times

For the first time in a decade, Manchester City are preparing for a new campaign without Pep Guardiola at the helm, following the legendary Catalan coach's farewell to the Etihad Stadium at the end of the 2025-26 season.

Guardiola steered the Citizens to an EFL Cup and FA Cup double before leaving at the end of May, and he has since been replaced by his former assistant coach Enzo Maresca.

The Italian is tasked with knocking Arsenal off their perch at the Premier League summit as Man City seek to avoid a third successive season without winning the top-flight title.

Man City have already made a statement of intent in the summer transfer window with the club-record £116m capture of England international midfielder Elliot Anderson, and more fresh faces are expected to arrive at the Etihad before the new campaign gets underway. 

Chelsea vice-captain Enzo Fernandez remains a target, while the Citizens are believed to be in advanced talks with Lille over Ayyoub Bouaddi, with a move likely to happen unless an unresolvable impasse arises. 

Once again, Man City will make the trip abroad this summer, and here, Sports Mole runs through everything you need to know about their 2026-27 pre-season.

Who did Man City play in pre-season?

Man City's pre-season schedule saw them tour Asia, with three fixtures taking place.

Maresca's first match as City manager ended 1-1 against Inter Milan, with the Italians claiming the pre-season trophy on penalties. The Citizens then secured a 3-1 win over the K-League All Stars at the Seoul World Cup Stadium in South Korea on August 5, four days before facing Atletico Madrid, whom they also beat 3-1 on August 9.

The latter two fixtures were part of the 2026 Coupang Play Series, which launched in 2022 and has established itself as South Korea’s premier sports festival, hosting games between some of the world’s biggest clubs and the K-League All-Stars.

Only twice previously have Man City played in Seoul, first in 1976 with legendary players including Alan Oakes and Glyn Pardoe, and most recently in 2023 when they lost 2-1 to Atletico Madrid.

Arsenal defeated the Citizens 3-0 at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on August 16, ahead of Man City's Premier League opener against Bournemouth.

Who played for Man City in pre-season?

© Imago / Action Plus

As many as 17 Man City players were called up to represent their country at the 2026 World Cup, and several of those missed the beginning of pre-season, instead taking a well-earned break.

Those who were eliminated early from the tournament enjoyed a period of rest and linked up with Maresca's squad ahead of the remaining fixtures in Seoul.

However, those who went deep at the World Cup, including the England quartet of Guehi, O'Reilly, Trafford and Anderson, who helped the Three Lions achieve a third-place finish, as well as Erling Haaland, linked up with Maresca's squad just before the Arsenal fixture.

The likes of Phil Foden, Savinho, Nico Gonzalez and Rico Lewis, who were not called up for the World Cup, were available from the start of pre-season, with Foden and Savinho both featuring in the opening friendly against Inter Milan.

Although Jack Grealish was not part of the team's Asia tour, the attacking midfielder returned to the side against Arsenal, playing 45 minutes in the 3-0 loss in Cardiff.