Emirates Cup 2026/27

The Emirates Cup is a pre-season invitational football tournament organized by Arsenal. The event operates independently of any official domestic or international competitive pyramid, functioning as an exhibition sanctioned solely by the host club. It takes place annually at the Emirates Stadium in London, England. Unlike larger global tours, this competition focuses on brand exposure and fan engagement rather than commercial reach.

The format has undergone significant changes since its inception. From 2007 to 2017, the tournament ran as a two-day round-robin group stage. Since 2019, the schedule has condensed into a single-day event featuring a group stage followed by a final between the top two teams. Points are awarded for wins and draws, with historical tie-breaking rules involving shots on target now largely abandoned in favour of standard goal difference metrics.

Arsenal holds a dominant record in the competition, having secured victories in 2007, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2017, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. While other clubs such as Hamburger SV, New York Red Bulls, Galatasaray, Valencia, Lyon, and Borussia Dortmund have claimed the title, the English side remains the most successful participant. The tournament has faced interruptions due to external factors, including cancellations for the 2012 London Olympics, stadium maintenance in 2016 and 2018, and the pandemic in 2020 and 2021.

The event is named after Emirates, the airline and principal shirt sponsor of Arsenal. It distinguishes itself from other pre-season tournaments like the International Champions Cup through its localized nature and smaller scale. Competitors typically include Arsenal alongside three invited international clubs. Recent editions have featured teams such as Monaco, Athletic Club, and Sevilla FC, maintaining a focus on high-profile guest appearances within a compact framework.