Real Madrid looking for alternatives to the USA for 2026 pre-season tour – report | OneFootball

Even though we are only a few months into the 2025/26 season, Real Madrid are already laying out plans for the next campaign – not just in terms of transfers but also preparations for the season.

For years, the USA has been Los Blancos’ preferred destination to hold pre-season campaigns during the summer before the start of the season.

Real Madrid eyeing alternatives

However, now, Real Madrid are exploring several options for holding their preseason tour next summer outside of the United States, according Rodra of ESPN.

The US has been the team’s usual destination almost every summer since 2010, as part of the club’s effort to connect with its large American fan base. The only interruptions came during the COVID-19 years.

The Madrid squad travelled to the USA in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Last summer, the players also headed to the US to compete in the Club World Cup, but as per ESPN Real Madrid are now considering a change of destination for the upcoming preseason.

No USA next summer. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

No final decision has been made yet, but the club are assessing various financial proposals following an unusual summer.

The Club World Cup schedule last year left barely enough time for a brief trip to Austria, where Real Madrid played a single friendly against Tirol FC.

Interestingly, FC Barcelona, who did not take part in the Club World Cup, also skipped the United States last summer, opting instead for Asia, where they played friendlies in Japan and South Korea.

Real Madrid are now weighing different destinations for its 2026 pre-season. According to information from Valdebebas, the US currently has fewer chances of being chosen compared to other markets.

Among the reasons cited is the club’s desire to expand into new territories during a summer when the United States will already be hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with New York City set to stage the final on July 19.