Manchester United to embark on first European summer tour since 2002

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 15: Manchester United's Matheus Cunha celebrates scoring his side's second goal with Bryan Mbeumo during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford on March 15, 2026 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Lee Parker - CameraSport via Getty Images) | CameraSport via Getty Images

Manchester United revealed its dates for preseason friendlies this upcoming summer, and the destinations will be much closer to home than has been the case for the last 24 years.

United have typically played some preseason games in Europe, with an odd match in Ireland, Scotland, Norway or Sweden before heading to either East Asia or North America to take part in a larger organized showcase of European teams. The only exceptions have been 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.

“We’re delighted to be playing in some fantastic cities, against opponents who will provide a strong test for us,” director of football Jason Wilcox said in a club statement on Thursday. “We have the best fans in the world, and this schedule gives us a great opportunity to connect with our supporters across Europe. We’re really looking forward to getting out there and putting in the hard work ahead of a big season.”

United will kick off the tour on Saturday, July 18, against AFC Wrexham in Helsinki, Finland, followed by a match against Rosenborg in Trondheim, Norway, the following Friday, July 24. They’ll travel to Stockholm, Sweden, the site of United’s only UEFA Europa League triumph in 2017, for the Snapdragon Cup agaisnt Atletico Madrid on Saturday, August 1, and then travel to Gothenburg the next weekend for a match with Paris Saint-Germain.

The tour will conclude in Dublin, Ireland, with a match against old rivals Leeds United.