Manchester United, Leeds United, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace. The quartet of English Premier League clubs are preparing to take flight ahead of a series of friendly fixtures scheduled across Australia throughout July.
As Isuzu UTE A-League clubs return for pre-season duties, both Melbourne Victory and Brisbane Roar do so with the excitement of friendly ties against English opponents to look forward to.
Whilst Erik ten Hag prepares to oversee his second match as Manchester United head coach against Victory, there’s the potential for Roar marquee and former Premier League spearhead Charlie Austin’s Brisbane debut, and a number of new signings both in the A-Leagues and Premier League eager to bed in at their new clubs.
With seven games scheduled within 10 days, July promises to entertain. Here’s what’s on the agenda as the A-Leagues and the Premier League collide, where to get tickets, and how to watch all the action live and free.
Manchester United’s Tour Down Under
Originally scheduled for two fixtures at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Australian tour of European giants Manchester United has been extended to feature three games across both Victoria and Western Australia.
The eyes of the footballing world are fixated on United in the current Premier League off-season, with ten Hag the latest in a line of managers tasked with returning the club to the illustrious heights reached in Sir Alex Ferguson’s 26-year spell at the helm.
With speculation rife about Cristiano Ronaldo’s imminent future at the club, and no fresh faces joining ten Hag’s squad through the off-season to date, United will land in Australia under immense scrutiny. Ten Hag’s first game as United boss will be against Liverpool in Bangkok in July 12, before fixtures against Melbourne Victory at the MCG on July 15, Crystal Palace at the same venue on July 19 and Aston Villa at Optus Stadium, Perth on July 23.
Manchester United’s Australian fixtures
Manchester United v Melbourne Victory
Friday, July 15
Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
GET TICKETS
Manchester United v Crystal Palace
Tuesday, July 19
Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
GET TICKETS
Machester United v Aston Villa
July 23, 2022
Optus Stadium, Perth
GET TICKETS
Queensland Champions Cup
The Queensland Champions Cup sees Brisbane, Townsville and the Gold Coast play host to a three-game tournament between A-Leagues club Brisbane Roar and English Premier League outfits Aston Villa and Leeds.
The Roar will face Leeds on the Gold Coast on July 14, before the latter takes on fellow Premier League side Villa on July 17. Villa and Brisbane will then meet in Townsville on July 20.
Brisbane’s fixtures against Leeds and Villa present the opportunity for Austin to feature for his new club for the very first time.
Queensland Champions Cup fixtures
Brisbane Roar v Leeds United
Thursday, July 14 2022
CBUS Super Stadium, Gold Coast
GET TICKETS
Aston Villa v Leeds
Sunday, July 17 2022
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
GET TICKETS
Brisbane Roar v Aston Villa
Wednesday, July 20 2022
Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
GET TICKETS
Perth’s Festival of International Football
Four teams descend on Optus Stadium to treat Perth football fans to a festival of Premier League football, with Manchester United, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Leeds United all arriving in Western Australia to put on a show.
Perth’s Festival of International Football fixtures
Crystal Palace v Leeds United
July 22, 2022
Optus Stadium, Perth
GET TICKETS
Machester United v Aston Villa
July 23, 2022
Optus Stadium, Perth
GET TICKETS
How to watch?
All seven friendly fixtures on Australian shores – and two Liverpool hit-outs in Thailand and Singapore on July 12 and 15 – will be live and free on Network 10 throughout July.
Complete fixture list
Seven games, 10 days. Here’s all the key dates to mark in your calendar:
Brisbane Roar v Leeds United
Thursday, July 14 2022
CBUS Super Stadium, Gold Coast
GET TICKETS
Manchester United v Melbourne Victory
Friday, July 15 2022
Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
GET TICKETS
Aston Villa v Leeds
Sunday, July 17 2022
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
GET TICKETS
Manchester United v Crystal Palace
Tuesday, July 19 2022
Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
GET TICKETS
Brisbane Roar v Aston Villa
Wednesday, July 20 2022
Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
GET TICKETS
Crystal Palace v Leeds United
Friday, July 22 2022
Optus Stadium, Perth
GET TICKETS
Machester United v Aston Villa
Saturday, July 23 2022
Optus Stadium, Perth
GET TICKETS
