Chelsea Pre-Season 2025: Full Tour & Fixtures Guide

Chelsea pre-season 2025 preparations begin in earnest this July as Enzo Maresca takes his squad across two continents to sharpen fitness, integrate signings and embed his possession-based blueprint before the 2025-26 Premier League campaign.

Chelsea pre-season 2025 schedule at a glance

The Blues will clock more than 12,000 air miles on a tour that starts in the United States and ends in Japan. Maresca’s men open against MLS side LA Galaxy on 15 July at the Rose Bowl, head east to face Club América in Dallas on 19 July, then fly to New Jersey for a glamour tie with Atlético Madrid on 23 July. After a short London pit stop, the squad travels to Tokyo, meeting Kawasaki Frontale on 1 August and European heavyweights Bayern Munich three days later at the National Stadium.

Key objectives for Chelsea pre-season 2025

1. Fitness and intensity: With last season’s injury list still fresh in the memory, the sports-science team has mapped a periodised programme designed to peak for the league opener on 16 August.
2. Tactical cohesion: Maresca will double down on his 3-2-4-1 build-up shape, demanding slick rotations from new arrivals João Neves and Michael Olise.
3. Youth integration: Academy graduates Kendry Páez, Alfie Gilchrist and Tyrique George are pencilled in for extended minutes, echoing the club’s home-grown philosophy.

Training camps and facilities

Before jetting off, Chelsea hold a five-day metabolic camp at Cobham. Stateside sessions are scheduled at UCLA, chosen for its altitude chamber and cryotherapy suite, while Japan’s J-Village complex offers secluded, floodlit pitches for evening drills in humid conditions.

Tickets and travel information

Match tickets are on sale via Chelsea’s official website, starting at £40 in the USA and ¥6,000 in Tokyo. Supporters’ clubs have organised charter packages that bundle flights, hotel and city tours. Fans are reminded to check visa requirements—particularly the ESTA for U.S. entry—and to allow extra time for post-pandemic security checks.

How to watch Chelsea pre-season 2025 live

UK viewers can stream every fixture on Chelsea TV+, included in the club’s digital membership. In the United States, ESPN+ holds exclusive rights, while DAZN Japan covers the Far East leg. All broadcasts feature English commentary, in-game stats and post-match press conferences. Highlights will drop on the club’s YouTube channel within 12 hours.

Players to watch

• Christopher Nkunku – finally fit, the French forward looks razor-sharp in training games.
• Reece James – handed the captain’s armband, he anchors the back three and leads pressing triggers.
• João Neves – the £85m midfielder’s metronomic passing could unlock Maresca’s vertical ideas.
• Gabriel Moscardo – returning from loan, the Brazilian may rotate with Enzo Fernández at the base.

Why Chelsea pre-season 2025 matters more than ever

Last term’s inconsistency—sparkling wins followed by frustrating draws—highlighted lapses in concentration and structure. Maresca believes six high-calibre friendlies, combined with double training sessions, will hard-wire automatisms. The coaching staff have fitted players with GPS vests to monitor high-speed runs and recovery, aiming to reduce soft-tissue injuries by 20%.

Commercial and community impact

Beyond the pitch, the tour boosts Chelsea’s global footprint. Stateside activations include a pop-up megastore in Times Square and a youth clinic with local clubs in Los Angeles. In Tokyo, the team partners with Rakuten to host an e-football tournament, while a percentage of gate receipts goes to tsunami relief charities.

Complete Chelsea pre-season 2025 fixture list

15 July – LA Galaxy vs Chelsea (Rose Bowl, Pasadena)
19 July – Chelsea vs Club América (Cotton Bowl, Dallas)
23 July – Atlético Madrid vs Chelsea (MetLife Stadium, New Jersey)
1 August – Kawasaki Frontale vs Chelsea (National Stadium, Tokyo)
4 August – Bayern Munich vs Chelsea (National Stadium, Tokyo)
9 August – Chelsea vs AS Monaco (Stamford Bridge, London – annual Matthew Harding Memorial match)

Predicted starting XI for opening friendly

Petrovic; Disasi, Colwill, Gilchrist; James, Caicedo; Neves, Fernández; Olise, Nkunku, Sterling. Expect mass substitutions after the hour mark as Maresca experiments with shape and personnel.

Opinion: Momentum starts now

If Chelsea pre-season 2025 achieves its targets, supporters can reasonably expect a top-four assault. The squad finally boasts balance between youth and experience, and Maresca’s expansive principles suit the club’s DNA. The onus is on translating these polished exhibitions into ruthless Premier League performances—a task the Blues have too often fumbled. Ironing out inconsistencies in July could make all the difference in May.