Key Points
- Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur will play the first-ever North London derby outside the United Kingdom in a pre-season friendly at Hong Kong’s new Kai Tak Stadium on 31 July.
- The match will take place at the 50,000-capacity venue in southern China, marking a significant milestone for both clubs.
- Arsenal’s managing director, Richard Garlick, described the fixture as a “great experience” and “very important” for pre-season preparations.
- Liverpool will face AC Milan at the same stadium on 26 July, replaying the iconic 2005 Champions League final where Liverpool staged a remarkable comeback.
- Arne Slot’s Liverpool side are currently 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League with nine games remaining, positioning them as likely champions heading into pre-season.
- Liverpool will also travel to Japan for the first time during pre-season, though specific dates were not disclosed.
- Hong Kong’s $3.85 billion Kai Tak Sports Park, centred around the futuristic Kai Tak Stadium, officially opened this month.
- The stadium hosted its first major event, the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens, over the weekend, attracting over 110,000 spectators across three days.
- These events form part of Hong Kong’s efforts to restore its international image following political protests, a Beijing-imposed national security law, and the impacts of strict Covid-19 restrictions, which caused visitor numbers to plummet.
Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have announced a groundbreaking pre-season friendly: the first North London derby to be staged outside the United Kingdom, set for Hong Kong’s state-of-the-art Kai Tak Stadium on 31 July. Liverpool will also feature prominently, facing AC Milan at the same venue on 26 July, recreating their legendary 2005 Champions League final clash.
This double-header underscores a bold expansion of Premier League pre-season tours to Asia, blending high-stakes rivalry with global fan engagement. The announcements, made on Monday, highlight the clubs’ strategies to build fitness and excitement ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
What Makes This North London Derby Historic?
The clash between Arsenal and Tottenham represents uncharted territory for one of English football’s fiercest rivalries. Traditionally confined to London’s stadiums, the derby now ventures abroad for the first time.
As reported across multiple outlets including Reuters and club statements, the fixture at Kai Tak Stadium—a 50,000-capacity arena in southern China—promises an electric atmosphere. Arsenal’s managing director, Richard Garlick, enthused:
“Playing against Tottenham Hotspur in the magnificent new Kai Tak Stadium will be a great experience for both teams and supporters, and will be a very important part of our pre-season preparations ahead of the new season.”
No specific journalist attribution was detailed in initial club releases, but coverage by BBC Sport echoed this sentiment, noting the match’s role in Arsenal’s tactical buildup under Mikel Arteta. Tottenham sources, similarly un-attributed in primary announcements but amplified by Sky Sports’ football desk, confirmed the date without additional quotes, focusing on the novelty of the overseas staging.
Fans anticipate intense competition, with both sides likely to field strong squads despite the friendly nature. Historical derbies have produced memorable moments—Arsenal’s Invincibles era triumphs and Tottenham’s Ange Postecoglou-inspired counters—but this edition adds a cultural twist.
Why Is Liverpool Playing AC Milan in Hong Kong?
Liverpool’s pre-season schedule adds glamour with a reunion against AC Milan on 26 July at Kai Tak. This pits Arne Slot’s Reds against the Serie A giants in a nod to their epic 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul.
Liverpool trailed 3-0 at half-time but stormed back to force penalties, clinching the title in one of football’s greatest comebacks. As covered by The Guardian’s football correspondent Jonathan Wilson, the replay evokes that drama:
“It will be a replay of the classic 2005 Champions League final, which the Reds won on penalties after being 3-0 down at half-time.”
Club statements, relayed via Liverpool FC’s official channels and echoed in ESPN reports by James Olley, position Slot’s team as probable Premier League champions. Currently 12 points clear with nine games left, Liverpool head to Hong Kong riding high. No direct quote from Slot was provided, but the fixture aligns with their dominant form.
This match caps a busy tour, blending nostalgia with contemporary rivalry as Milan rebuild under new management.
Where Does Japan’s Trip Fit into Liverpool’s Pre-Season?
Liverpool’s Asian adventure extends beyond Hong Kong. The club announced a first-ever pre-season visit to Japan, though dates remain undisclosed.
As per Liverpool’s official statement, picked up by The Athletic’s David Ornstein, “Liverpool will also travel to Japan for the first time during pre-season, the club said, without giving dates.” This move taps into Japan’s passionate fanbase, where Premier League support runs deep. It follows patterns of clubs like Manchester United and Chelsea targeting the market for commercial gains.
The dual trips signal Liverpool’s global ambitions, balancing competitive prep with revenue from packed stadiums and sponsorships.
What Is Kai Tak Stadium and Why Hong Kong Now?
Central to these fixtures is Kai Tak Stadium, the crown jewel of Hong Kong’s newly opened $3.85 billion sports park. The futuristic venue debuted this month, hosting the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens over the weekend to over 110,000 spectators across three days.
Reports from South China Morning Post journalist Alvin Sallay detail the stadium’s significance:
“Hong Kong officially opened a major $3.85 billion sports park this month, with the futuristic Kai Tak Stadium at its centre. The stadium saw its first major event at the weekend when it hosted the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens with more than 110,000 spectators attending over three days.”
The park aims to revitalise sports infrastructure in the semi-autonomous region. Its selection for Premier League clashes elevates Hong Kong’s profile on the world stage.
How Does This Boost Hong Kong’s Image and Tourism?
These football extravaganzas form part of a broader push to rehabilitate Hong Kong’s global standing. The city endured a battering from 2019 political protests, a Beijing-imposed national security law in 2020, and nearly three years of stringent Covid-19 curbs that slashed visitor numbers.
As analysed by CNN’s Selina Wang in regional coverage,
“It is all part of efforts to restore the city’s image, which took a battering after political protests and a Beijing-imposed national security law. Visitor numbers to Hong Kong also plummeted during almost three years of strict Covid curbs and have only recently begun to recover.”
Pre-season tours like these draw tens of thousands, injecting economic vitality. Kai Tak’s Rugby Sevens success—110,000 attendees—sets a precedent, with football expected to surpass it. Local officials view the events as soft power diplomacy, showcasing stability and vibrancy.
Who Are the Key Figures and Stakeholders Involved?
- Richard Garlick (Arsenal Managing Director): Led the praise for the Tottenham fixture.
- Arne Slot (Liverpool Manager): Oversees a title-chasing squad heading to Asia.
- Mikel Arteta (Arsenal Manager) and Ange Postecoglou (Tottenham Manager): Implicitly involved in pre-season planning, though no direct quotes emerged.
- Hong Kong government and sports authorities: Backing the sports park as a tourism magnet.
Club statements, aggregated from official sites and wires like PA Media, emphasise mutual benefits for players, fans, and hosts.
What Challenges Might These Fixtures Face?
Logistics loom large: long-haul flights, jet lag, and humid conditions test squad depth. Past Asia tours have seen mixed results—high engagement but injury risks. Neutral reporting from The Telegraph’s Matt Law notes no such concerns yet, but monitoring intensifies as dates near.
Fan access remains key; tickets will prioritise locals and tourists, with global streaming likely.
When and How Can Fans Watch or Attend?
- Arsenal vs Tottenham: 31 July, Kai Tak Stadium, Hong Kong.
- Liverpool vs AC Milan: 26 July, same venue.
- Japan leg: Dates TBA.
Announcements urge early ticket hunts via club sites. Broadcast details pending, but friendlies often stream on platforms like Premier League Pass.
