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Reports have emerged regarding a potential pre-season North London Derby out in Hong Kong this summer.
Such occasions are typically preserved for the competitive season, although Arsenal did face off against Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium back in the summer of 2021. A Son Heung-min goal separated the two sides.
Staging matches of a high-profile nature has emerged as a modern phenomenon, with European teams keen on appealing to global markets by jetting off overseas during the summer and playing against teams of a similar calibre to best prepare them for the upcoming campaign.
For example, Barcelona have started to regularly face off against Real Madrid in pre-season Clasicos, while Arsenal have played against the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, and Barca on recent tours.
Now, we could be set for the first North London Derby to ever be played overseas.
Reports circulating of pre-season North London Derby this summer
North London derby in Hong Kong this summer. https://t.co/6pvoCpy1IS
— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) February 21, 2025
An image has circulated online regarding a scheduled pre-season derby between the bitter north London rivals. Charles Watts reposted the initial post presenting the scheduled fixture, but later said it hasn't yet been "fully confirmed".
The proposed summer North London Derby will take place on Thursday 31 July at Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong. The leaked graphic is reportedly from the promotional materials for the game.
Arsenal look set to change their summer plans after several consecutive years out in the USA. Tottenham are frequent travellers to South East Asia given their fandom in that part of the world, and the Gunners could aim to tap into an alternate market this time around.
There's talk that Arsenal will also play a game in as part of their preparations for the 2025/26 campaign.
Many will have reservations over the staging of a derby in pre-season, even if it offers other parts of the world the opportunity to enjoy such fixtures first-hand. Players won't be downing tools if they're facing their fiercest rivals, no matter the occasion.