Chelsea and Tottenham are set to meet in Sydney for a pre-season friendly at Accor Stadium on Saturday, August 1, 2026, offering both managers an early tactical test against an arch-rival.
Match Date, Kick-Off Time, and Venue Details
The pre-season London derby is scheduled for a 10:45am BST kick-off on Saturday, August 1, 2026, according to official match scheduling. The fixture takes place at Accor Stadium in Sydney, Australia. Supporters following the game from the UK can access live coverage through respective club platforms, as outlined in club broadcasting announcements. CFC+ will televise Chelsea’s pre-season fixtures for members, with annual subscriptions priced at £15 and pay-per-view passes available at £9.99 per match. Tottenham’s SPURSPLAY service will broadcast the Spurs fixture, requiring an annual subscription worth £45, while Standard Sport will run a live matchday blog.
Squad Availability and Team News in Sydney
Chelsea manager Alonso heads into the fixture managing several squad fitness questions, though some key players are confirmed available. Romeo Lavia missed the previous match against Western Sydney due to hamstring discomfort, but Alonso confirmed he is fit to feature in Sydney. Summer signing Marco Palestra could make his full debut, while fellow new arrivals Jorrel Hato and Mamadou Sarr remain doubts after missing the Western Sydney fixture because it came too early in their schedules. Morgan Rogers and Maxence Lacroix are unavailable for the tie. Meanwhile, Tottenham arrive with their own roster adjustments. Mateus Fernandes missed the previous outing due to calf fatigue, leaving his availability uncertain. Jan Paul van Hecke is yet to make his debut for Spurs since arriving from Brighton, while Marcos Senesi, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Pape Matar Sarr only reported for pre-season training at Hotspur Way on Thursday and will not feature.
Pre-Season Form and Tactical Outlook
Both teams enter the fixture with contrasting preparation levels and tactical questions to resolve. Tottenham benefit from the additional match sharpness gained from playing one more summer fixture than Chelsea, though their attack produced only a single goal against Sydney in their last outing, exposing a youthful defence that Chelsea will aim to target. Alonso’s side put on an attacking display in their previous match, highlighted by Joao Pedro’s nine-minute hat-trick, Dastan Satpayev’s debut goal, and strong midfield performances from the academy players known as Reggies Watson and Walsh. However, Chelsea’s defence remained unconvincing, giving both technical teams plenty to analyze. Looking at head-to-head history, Chelsea secured a league double over Tottenham last season with a 1-0 away win and a 2-1 home victory, though those matches were managed by differing technical teams including Enzo Maresca, Thomas Frank, Calum McFarlane, and Roberto De Zerbi.
Did you know? Joao Pedro bagged a nine-minute hat-trick during Chelsea’s earlier pre-season preparations.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Chelsea vs Tottenham pre-season friendly?
The match kicks off at 10:45am BST on Saturday, August 1, 2026.
Where is the match taking place?
The game is hosted at Accor Stadium in Sydney.
How can I watch the match in the UK?
The fixture is broadcast live on CFC+ for Chelsea supporters and SPURSPLAY for Tottenham fans.
Are new signings expected to play?
Chelsea’s Marco Palestra could make his full debut, while Tottenham’s Jan Paul van Hecke is hoping to make his first appearance in Spurs colours.
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