With the international tournaments now behind us, clubs across Europe have begun their pre-season. Preparations are currently underway as players are slowly making their way back from a long summer. Now that August is upon us, the question on everyone’s mind is, when are the major European leagues going to start? Let’s have a look:
Premier League
The English top-flight kicks off on Friday, 16 August with Manchester United hosting Fulham at Old Trafford. Reigning champions Manchester City start their title defense on Sunday with a daunting clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Serie A
Defending champions Inter Milan kick-off a new season in Serie A with a clash away to Genoa on Saturday, 17 August. Interestingly, at the same time, Parma and Fiorentina also face each other in Parma.
La Liga
The home of European champions, La Liga opens to a new season with Athletic Bilbao hosting Getafe at the San Mames on Friday, 16 August. Holders Real Madrid, who’ve made some big signings this season, begin their title defense two days later away to Mallorca. Meanwhile, their El Clasico rivals FC Barcelona face a tough opening-day fixture against Valencia.
Bundesliga
Germany’s Bundesliga, as always, begins later than most European top-flights, on 23rd August, with defending champions Bayer Leverkusen facing Borussia Monchengladbach. Bayern Munich begin their quest for another title away to Wolfsburg, two days later.
Ligue 1
France’s Ligue 1 begins on 18 August with minnows Angers and Lens taking each other on. PSG begin their campaign away to Le Havre.
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