Chelsea Women Begin New Zealand Pre-Season Tour with Auckland Arrival

Chelsea FC Women have officially begun their pre-season tour, touching down in Auckland, New Zealand, on Sunday evening. The visit marks a significant step in the team's preparations for the new campaign, combining rigorous training with valuable community interaction.

The first day of the tour saw the squad engage in a comprehensive schedule. Training sessions, led by manager Sonia Bompastor, took place at a local stadium, focusing on tactical and physical conditioning. These on-pitch efforts were complemented by gym work, ensuring the players maintain peak fitness levels as they build towards competitive fixtures. Beyond the training ground, the team also connected with local government representatives, underscoring the cultural exchange inherent in international tours. A notable interaction included meeting members of the Auckland FC Women's Invitational XI, their upcoming opponents, fostering a spirit of camaraderie ahead of their friendly encounter.

The highlight of ChelseaTeam·Chelsea's New Zealand itinerary is a friendly match against the Auckland FC Women's Invitational XI, scheduled for Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 4 PM local time. This historic fixture, ChelseaTeam·Chelsea's inaugural match in New Zealand, will be held at the iconic Eden Park in Auckland. The match is a central event of the New Zealand International Football Festival, which also features various fan engagement activities and open training sessions, providing supporters with unique access to the world-class club.

For ChelseaTeam·Chelsea, this match serves as crucial pre-season preparation under Sonia Bompastor, allowing the manager to assess her squad and implement new strategies. The opposition, the Auckland FC Women's Invitational XI, comprises a selection of top local and regional players, managed by former New Zealand national representative Jenny Bindon. For Auckland, the fixture represents a significant opportunity to compete against a globally renowned club and showcase emerging local talent, particularly as Auckland FC Women prepare for their entry into the A-League Women in 2027.

Chelsea FC Women concluded their 2025/26 season in 3rd place in the FA Women's Super League (WSL) with 49 points, marking the end of a six-year winning streak in the league, which was ultimately secured by Manchester CityTeam·Manchester City. Despite this, the team achieved notable success, winning the League Cup against Manchester UnitedTeam·Manchester United, reaching the semi-finals of the FA CupCompetition·FA Cup, and progressing to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Women's Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League. Key offensive contributions came from Sam Kerr and Alyssa Thompson, who were joint top scorers in the WSL with 7 goals each, with Sam Kerr leading the team overall with 17 goals across all competitions. This tour provides an essential platform for the squad to build cohesion and momentum, setting the foundation for a strong challenge in the upcoming season.