Liverpool to return to Asia for 2025 pre-season tour | OneFootball

Liverpool Plot Return to Asia for Pre-Season Showcase

There’s always something stirring when Liverpool plan a pre-season tour. And this summer, the club is heading back to Asia, reigniting a connection with a fanbase that lives and breathes every kick, header and chant from Anfield—even from half a world away.

Forget the sterile training camps in Europe—this one’s different. It’s got history, energy, and a bit of theatre. The Reds will take on AC Milan in Hong Kong on Saturday 26 July, marking not just a glamour fixture but the first football match ever played at the brand-new Kai Tak Stadium. That alone makes it a moment, but there’s more: the two clubs will face off for the Standard Chartered Trophy, an echo of that legendary 2005 night in Istanbul.

And that’s just the start.

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AC Milan Clash Headlines Hong Kong Return

This won’t be Liverpool’s first trip to Hong Kong, but it’s been a while—the last time they set foot there for pre-season was in 2017. Since then, the club’s global profile has skyrocketed, with every international stop now becoming a sea of red shirts, local chants and a passion as raw as anything on the Kop.

“We’re extremely excited to be returning to Asia for this summer’s pre-season tour,” said Ben Latty, Liverpool’s chief commercial officer. “We’re very grateful to our principal partner, Standard Chartered, for their support in sponsoring the Standard Chartered Trophy against AC Milan, 20 years on from that magical night in Istanbul.”

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There’s always a bit of romance when Liverpool play Milan. It’s not just nostalgia—it’s about rekindling old rivalries and bringing elite football to corners of the world where every appearance by the Reds is treated like a festival.

Japan Awaits First-Ever Summer Visit

From Hong Kong, the Reds will move on to Japan—a first for Liverpool in a summer pre-season. The details of the Japan leg are still under wraps, but make no mistake: it’s going to be significant. Japan is no stranger to football passion, and the sight of Liverpool landing there will spark a frenzy.

The journey will be smooth too, thanks to Japan Airlines, the club’s official airline partner. “Japan Airlines is pleased to be the official airline partner of Liverpool FC’s 2025 international pre-season tour to Asia this summer,” said Junko Sakihara, deputy senior vice-president, customer experience at JAL. “We look forward to carrying the LFC players and staff on their journey and providing our award-winning hospitality and service so that they can arrive at each destination rested and ready for play.”

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It’s not just about football. Expect community outreach, cultural experiences and meet-and-greet sessions with club legends across the region. These aren’t just PR stops—they’re a chance to give something back to the fans who idolise the club from afar.

Strengthening Bonds Across Asia

Standard Chartered, Liverpool’s long-time partner, is backing this tour in full force. Mary Huen, CEO of Standard Chartered Hong Kong, put it best: “We are thrilled to bring the Reds back to Asia this July. This will offer local fans of the Reds, including our clients and colleagues, the extraordinary experience of watching the game in person. We look forward to seeing a full Kai Tak Stadium cheering on Arne Slot and the team.”

Liverpool last toured Asia in Singapore in 2023, but 2025 feels different. It’s a new era under Arne Slot, and this tour is a chance for the manager to set the tone with a new group, new ideas, and the same unshakable connection with the club’s massive Asian following.

For those eager to be part of it, ticket details are coming soon—and for anyone who’s been part of these pre-season tours before, you’ll know it’s more than just a game. It’s Liverpool on tour, and that means everything.