Manchester United won the Summer Series in Atlanta in August [Getty Images]Simon Stone - Chief football news reporterTue, December 2, 2025 at 12:05 PM UTC·2 min readThe Premier League is considering holding a four-club Summer Series in Asia next year.
No concrete plans are in place but BBC Sport understands clubs have been contacted for their views, with Hong Kong and the nearby Chinese city of Shenzhen seen as potential host venues.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Premier League has held a biennial pre-season tournament since 2003.
It was held in the Far East until 2019, then, after a break in 2021 because of Covid, it was rebranded as the Summer Series in 2023, when it was held in the US.
The most recent edition was held this summer in New York, Chicago and Atlanta.
It would be the first time it is held in a summer when a major international tournament is played, and is bound to raise more questions about player workload.
Global players' union Fifpro said Liverpool and Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo was involved in 71 competitive games for club and country in 2024, more than any other player.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe number of games being played has increased over the past couple of seasons following the recent expansion of European club and international tournaments.
This summer's World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams, with the final due to be played on 19 July.
The Premier League has confirmed the 2026-27 season will not begin until 22 August.
In theory, it could mean a three-match Summer Series could be held between 1 and 8 August, leaving a two-week recovery gap, as was afforded for United, Everton, Bournemouth and West Ham this summer.
That would mean any player whose country is eliminated in the last 16 of the World Cup could have a mandatory three-week break and return for the start of pre-season training for almost a week before the Summer Series begins.
