Manchester City to face Barcelona, Chelsea on USA pre-season tour this summer

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 19 March 2024

Man City to face Barcelona, Chelsea on USA pre-season tour

Manchester City confirm that they will face Barcelona and Chelsea during a four-match pre-season tour of the United States in preparation for the 2024-25 season.

Manchester City have confirmed that they will return to the United States this summer for a pre-season tour in preparation for the 2024-25 season.

The Citizens travelled to Texas and Wisconsin to face Club America and Bayern Munich respectively during last summer's tour, a few months after celebrating a historic Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble.

Pep Guardiola's side, who are in the hunt to complete an unprecedented double-treble this term, have now confirmed dates for a four-match pre-season tour in the USA between July and August that will be delivered in collaboration with FC Series – an expansion of the Florida Cup.

Man City will kick-start their tour in North Carolina with a clash against Scottish Premiership champions Celtic at Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill on July 23.

This fixture will represent the first time that these two teams have butted heads since the Champions League group stage in 2016, when Celtic played out a 3-3 draw with the Citizens in Glasgow before claiming a point in a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City's Bernardo Silva celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on March 16, 2024 © Reuters

Man City will then travel to the Yankee Stadium – the home of sister club New York City FC – to take on Serie A giants AC Milan on July 27, with this fixture marking 10 years since the two teams last locked horns in a pre-season friendly in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – Man City winning 5-1 on that occasion.

Three days later, Guardiola will renew acquaintances with his former club Barcelona for a pre-season showdown at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

The two teams last met in August 2022 for a charitable friendly that raised over €4m in support of former Barca goalkeeper and coach Juan Carlos Unzue, who was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, an incurable degenerative neurological condition, in February 2020.

Man City will conclude their pre-season tour of the USA with a trip to the 100,000-seated Ohio Stadium to face fellow Premier League outfit Chelsea on August 3.

Manchester City's Bernardo Silva celebrates scoring their second goal on March 16, 2024 © Reuters

"We are pleased to announce the details of our 2024-25 pre-season tour today as we prepare to return to America with an exciting four-match series delivered in collaboration with FC Series this summer," Senior Vice President Partnerships at City Football Group, Peter Laundy, told mancity.com.

"Our 2022 pre-season visit to the United States was hugely successful, including our sell-out fixture at Lambeau Field, Green Bay and the club's presence, fan base and status continues to grow significantly within the region.  

"We can't wait to play more matches, deliver more unique experiences and opportunities for our fans across the country to enjoy with Manchester City when we return later this year." 

Ricardo Villar, FC Series CEO, added: "We are proud and excited to present the US tour for the World Champions as part of the FC Series this summer. We cannot wait to bring this incredible lineup of matches to fans across the nation and viewers all over the globe."

The majority of Man City's squad are currently away on international duty and Guardiola will hope that they all return unscathed ahead of their blockbuster Premier League clash with title rivals Arsenal at the Etihad on March 31.