Chelsea preseason schedule, results 2026: Dates, times, more to know about Premier League warm-up games

Amid seemingly annual roster turnover, Chelsea look to reverse their struggles from last campaign as the Blues gear up for the 2026/27 season.

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The London club endured a difficult Premier League campaign, finishing a dismal 10th as it fired Enzo Maresca in January and then sacked Liam Rosenior shortly before the end of the season. With the offseason to assess their options, the Blues brought in Xabi Alonso to lead the club into the coming campaign.

Chelsea owners BlueCo are once again wheeling and dealing this summer, with constant player turnover added to the chaos of late-arriving World Cup participants filtering back into the squad throughout the preseason.

The Sporting News takes you through a look at Chelsea’s preseason as they get ready to play their first competitive match on August 23.

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Chelsea preseason schedule, results 2026

Chelsea will enjoy a trip to Australia and Asia for their preseason slate, starting with a game against Western Sydney Wanderers on July 28.

They will face fellow Premier League side Tottenham at the same venue before making stops in Hong Kong, Indonesia and Malaysia. They will then return home for a finale against Spanish side Real Sociedad before the season begins.

Where are Chelsea playing preseason games?

Chelsea are playing preseason games all over Asia this summer, cramming six games into a two-week period, with five of those games in Australia or eastern Asia.

They will begin with two games in Sydney before flying to Hong Kong for a four-day turnaround. After facing Juventus, they have just three days to get settled in Jakarta, where they face fellow Italian side AC Milan. A separate squad will visit Malaysia for a separate friendly just one day later.

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That wraps up the tour of Asia, as Chelsea return home for a six-day rest before finishing up their preseason at Stamford Bridge.

When do World Cup players return to Chelsea?

All World Cup participants are allowed 21 days of rest when their tournament comes to an end.

Chelsea had 11 players participate in the World Cup, although not all of them saw time at the tournament. Moises Caicdeo and Kendrys Paez, who reached the Round of 32 with Ecuador, have already returned. So too has Netherlands international Jorrel Hato, alongside Nicolas Jackson and Mamadou Sarr. Goalkeeper Mike Penders serves as third-string for the Belgium side, but will still get his whole allowable break before linking up with the squad in Australia.

England internationals Reece James and Trevoh Chalobah will also be out for a bit, likely needing until around August 9 to see their way back into training, while the same is true for France full-back Malo Gusto who also reached the semifinals. The longest wait will be for Enzo Fernandez to return, as the Argentine reached the final before suffering defeat to Spain, and he will likely get until at least mid-August before making his way back to Cobham.

When is Chelsea’s first Premier League game of 2026/27?

Chelsea’s campaign officially begins with a short trip to face SW6 rivals Fulham on Monday, August 24. The kickoff for that game is 3 p.m. local time (10:00 a.m. ET).

The Blues then alternate home and away all the way through late October when they have their first consecutive home matches against Tottenham and Manchester United.

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