Palermo to Face Juventus in Pre-Season Friendly in Australia
Palermo will embark on a historic pre-season tour to Perth, Australia, for a high-profile friendly against Juventus in August 2026. The club confirmed the tour as part of the "Calcio Italiano" event, which will also feature other top Italian clubs.
The friendly against Juventus is scheduled for August 11, 2026, at the Optus Stadium in Perth. The event will feature a mini-tournament atmosphere, with other major Italian clubs like Inter Milan and AC Milan participating in a series of friendlies, including a match between the two Milanese rivals.
This tour represents a significant step in Palermo's ongoing international strategy. The club, now part of the City Football Group, has actively sought to expand its global brand, with previous high-profile friendlies against clubs like Manchester City, Nottingham Forest, and Leicester City. The club's recent kit launches in New York and Manchester underscore this international push.
Club CEO Giovanni Gardini emphasized the tour's strategic importance. "This historic opportunity is a further step forward in Palermo's internationalization strategy," Gardini stated, according to the club's official announcement. He highlighted the chance to connect with the global Rosanero fanbase, particularly the local Sicilian community in Australia, and to share the stage with Italian football giants like Inter, Juventus, and AC Milan.
The tour is also a significant event for Western Australia, which is positioning itself as a destination for major football events, having recently hosted FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
This pre-season tour is a landmark for Palermo, marking their first-ever tour in Australia and their most significant international pre-season tour to date. It follows a period of significant investment and change for the Sicilian club, which has seen a transformation in its global profile since its acquisition by the City Football Group.
