Arsenal and Tottenham to Clash in Historic Pre-Season North London Derby in Hong Kong

Football fans across Asia are in for a treat as Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed they will face off in a pre-season friendly on July 31, 2025, at the newly opened Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong. This highly anticipated match will mark the first time the iconic North London Derby has been played outside the United Kingdom, adding a historic chapter to one of English football’s fiercest rivalries.

The announcement, made jointly by both clubs earlier today, has sparked excitement among supporters and promises to be a centerpiece of the Hong Kong Football Festival 2025. The 50,000-capacity Kai Tak Stadium, which opened its doors earlier this month, will host the clash, offering a state-of-the-art backdrop for this unprecedented encounter. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM local time (11:30 AM BST), giving fans around the world a chance to tune in.

Arsenal, who last visited Hong Kong in 2012, and Tottenham, a frequent traveler to Asia thanks to their strong regional fanbase bolstered by star player Son Heung-min, will use the fixture as a key part of their preparations for the 2025/26 Premier League season. The match comes just over two weeks before the new campaign begins, making it a critical test for both squads.

Richard Garlick, Arsenal’s Managing Director, expressed enthusiasm about the trip, stating, “Everyone at Arsenal is excited to be visiting Hong Kong in July. It’s great to be back with our men’s first team squad after 13 years, and it gives us the opportunity to meet so many of our fantastic supporters in the region again. 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.”

Tottenham’s Chief Revenue Officer, Ryan Norys, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the significance of the occasion. “There are few bigger occasions in English football than a North London Derby, and to play this fixture in Hong Kong will be a huge moment for our passionate fanbase across Asia,” he said. “As is tour tradition, the club will be involved in so much more than the match itself, supporting charitable causes, celebrating local culture, delivering football clinics for young people, and engaging with fans and partners. We cannot wait to visit such a beautiful place once again.”

The North London Derby has long been a highlight of the English football calendar, with Arsenal currently holding bragging rights after securing victories in both Premier League meetings this season. However, former Spurs and England defender Ledley King warned that the rivalry’s intensity won’t be diminished by the pre-season setting. “It’s a pre-season game, but there’s no friendlies when these two teams play each other,” King remarked. “It’s going to be strange to come all the way across the other side of the world to play your neighbors, but it’s fantastic for the fans in Asia.”

The match is part of a broader pre-season tour for both clubs, with speculation suggesting additional fixtures across Asia, potentially in Singapore, Japan, or South Korea. Tottenham will also host an open training session for supporters in Hong Kong on July 29, adding to the excitement for local fans. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Football Festival will feature another marquee matchup, with Liverpool set to take on AC Milan on July 26 at the same venue.