August 2026 is the start of something genuinely new at Manchester City. Enzo Maresca's first month in charge takes the squad to Hong Kong and Seoul, then to Cardiff for the Community Shield, before the Premier League season opens at the Etihad against Bournemouth.
Here is the full month, fixture by fixture. Everything listed is covered on our Manchester City tickets page.
Manchester City fixtures in August 2026
| Date | Fixture | Kick-off (local) | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 1 Aug | Manchester City v Inter | 19:30 (12:30 BST) | Friendly | Kai Tak Stadium, Hong Kong |
| Wed 5 Aug | K-League All Stars v Manchester City | 20:00 (12:00 BST) | Friendly | Seoul World Cup Stadium |
| Sun 9 Aug | Manchester City v Atlético Madrid | 20:00 (12:00 BST) | Friendly | Seoul World Cup Stadium |
| Sun 16 Aug | Arsenal v Manchester City | 15:00 | Community Shield | Principality Stadium, Cardiff |
| Sun 23 Aug | Manchester City v Bournemouth | 14:00 | Premier League | Etihad Stadium |
| Fri 28 Aug | Crystal Palace v Manchester City | 20:00 | Premier League | Selhurst Park |
Times are local to each venue, with the UK equivalent in brackets for the tour fixtures. Kick-offs can still move, particularly the league fixtures, where broadcast scheduling has the final say.
The Asia tour
Manchester City v Inter — 1 August, Hong Kong
A rematch of the 2023 Champions League final opens the summer, at the Kai Tak Stadium — the ground built on the site of Hong Kong's old airport and now the city's flagship venue. Inter against City carries more weight than most pre-season fixtures, and it is Maresca's first match in charge.
Kai Tak is served directly by the MTR Tuen Ma line, roughly fifteen minutes from Kowloon. UK supporters watching from home should note the 12:30 BST start.
K-League All Stars v Manchester City — 5 August, Seoul
The tour moves to South Korea and the Seoul World Cup Stadium for the first of two fixtures as part of the 2026 Coupang Play Series. A K-League All Stars selection is an unusual opponent and a genuinely popular one locally — these matches have become a fixture of the Korean sporting summer.
The stadium is on Seoul Metro Line 6 at World Cup Stadium station, around thirty minutes from the city centre.
Manchester City v Atlético Madrid — 9 August, Seoul
City return to the same ground four days later to face Atlético Madrid, repeating a fixture that sold out when the two clubs met in Seoul in 2023. Expect the strongest side of the tour and a stadium that was overwhelmingly sky blue last time out.
Community Shield: Arsenal v Manchester City — 16 August, Cardiff
The season's first trophy, and this year it is in Wales. The Community Shield pits City against champions Arsenal at the Principality Stadium, a 73,000-capacity venue in the middle of Cardiff and a short walk from Cardiff Central.
It is the pick of the month: a genuine trophy, a genuine rival, and a neutral venue that puts both sets of supporters in the same city centre for the day. Tickets are on our Community Shield page, with team-specific listings under Manchester City.
Premier League: the opening two fixtures
Manchester City v Bournemouth — 23 August, Etihad Stadium
The league campaign opens at home on a Sunday afternoon against Bournemouth. A new manager's first competitive fixture at the Etihad Stadium gives the day its own weight regardless of the opposition, and a 14:00 start is comfortable for supporters travelling into Manchester by rail.
The Etihad Campus Metrolink stop is beside the ground, around ten minutes from Piccadilly. Current listings are on our Manchester City v Bournemouth page.
Crystal Palace v Manchester City — 28 August, Selhurst Park
The month closes with a Friday night in south London. Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park under lights is one of the more hostile away trips in the division — an old ground, a tight pitch, and a home crowd that makes the most of both.
Selhurst and Thornton Heath stations are both a short walk from the ground, with regular services from London Victoria and London Bridge. Away allocations here are limited, so book early and be sure to select the away section.
Planning your trip
- The tour is two countries in nine days. Hong Kong and South Korea each have their own entry requirements — check visas and passport validity well ahead.
- Watch the time difference. All three tour fixtures kick off around lunchtime British time.
- Cardiff fills up. Community Shield weekend puts two large followings in one city centre. Book accommodation early.
- Dates can move. Both Premier League fixtures are subject to television rescheduling, usually confirmed several weeks ahead.
Manchester City tickets
Tickets for City's August 2026 programme — the pre-season fixtures, the Community Shield and both Premier League openers — are listed on LiveFootballTickets. Etihad availability is at its widest early in the season and tightens as the campaign develops.
Every order is covered by our 150% money-back guarantee. If this is your first booking with us, our how it works page walks through the process from checkout to ticket delivery.
Frequently asked questions
When do Manchester City play their first Premier League match of 2026/27?
Sunday 23 August 2026 at home to Bournemouth, kicking off at 14:00 at the Etihad Stadium.
Where is the 2026 Community Shield played?
At the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, on Sunday 16 August 2026, with a 15:00 kick-off against Arsenal.
How many pre-season fixtures do Manchester City play in August 2026?
Three, all in Asia: Inter in Hong Kong on 1 August, then a K-League All Stars side and Atlético Madrid at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on 5 and 9 August.
What time do the Asia tour fixtures kick off in the UK?
The Hong Kong match starts at 12:30 BST; both Seoul fixtures start at 12:00 BST.
What comes after August?
City travel to Manchester United on 13 September for the first derby of the season.