Barcelona Set to Return to China After 15 Years: Asian Tour Promises Three Matches and €20 Million Windfall

In the summer of 2025, Barcelona is poised to make a significant shift in their preseason plans. Traditionally traveling to the United States for commercial matches and preseason preparations, the Catalan giants are now targeting Asia for their summer tour. According to reports from Catalonia Radio on December 14th, Barça plans to play three exhibition matches in China, Japan, and South Korea, generating an estimated €20 million in revenue.

Financial Pressures Drive Change

Barcelona’s financial struggles have been well-documented in recent years, with the club facing constraints under Financial Fair Play regulations. These challenges have even made registering players a recurring problem. In January 2025, Barça will need to register Dani Olmo, further underscoring the importance of generating additional income.

Club president Joan Laporta is exploring multiple avenues to bolster the club’s finances. Renewing their partnership with Nike and pre-selling VIP boxes at the new Spotify Camp Nou are just two of the initiatives aimed at increasing revenue. Summer tours, however, remain one of the most lucrative options for the club.

Unlike recent years, when Barcelona’s summer tours took them to the United States for high-profile matches, including three consecutive El Clásico friendlies against Real Madrid, the 2025 preseason will see the team venture to Asia. This move represents a significant opportunity for the club to tap into the lucrative Asian market while addressing their financial woes.

Tentative Plans for Asia

Barcelona’s proposed Asian tour will include one match each in China, Japan, and South Korea. While the exact dates, opponents, and venues are yet to be finalized, the decision to target these three countries is a strategic one. The Asian market represents a vast, football-hungry audience, and the tour is expected to attract significant attention.

For Chinese fans, this will mark a historic moment. Barcelona has not played in China since 2010, when a star-studded lineup featuring Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimović defeated Beijing Guoan 3-0 at the Bird’s Nest Stadium. The 2025 visit will provide Chinese supporters with the rare opportunity to watch the likes of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Pedri in action on home soil.

No Summer El Clásico

Barcelona’s decision to tour Asia means that the traditional summer El Clásico against Real Madrid will not take place. Over the past three summers, the two Spanish giants have clashed in the United States as part of the Soccer Champions Tour, with Barcelona emerging victorious in all three encounters.

While Real Madrid and other European heavyweights such as Manchester City and Bayern Munich will be competing in the expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, Barcelona’s absence from the tournament represents a significant financial setback. Missing out on the Club World Cup means forfeiting potential prize money of up to €50 million.

However, the Asian tour presents an alternative source of revenue. The €20 million expected from the three exhibition matches will provide much-needed financial relief for the club, helping to offset the loss of income from the Club World Cup.

A Long-Awaited Return to China

Barcelona’s last visit to China was 15 years ago, during the summer of 2010. On that occasion, Messi and Ibrahimović led the team to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Beijing Guoan at the iconic Bird’s Nest Stadium.

Originally, Barça had planned to tour China and Japan in 2019, but the Chinese leg of the tour was canceled, and the team only played two matches in Japan. This makes the 2025 visit even more significant, as it will be the first time in over a decade that Chinese fans will have the chance to see Barcelona live.

The prospect of witnessing rising stars like Lamine Yamal and established talents such as Raphinha and Pedri is sure to generate excitement among fans in China. For a club with a rich history and global appeal, this tour represents not only a financial opportunity but also a chance to strengthen ties with their Asian fanbase.

A Vital Financial Boost

For Barcelona, the importance of the 2025 Asian tour cannot be overstated. The club’s financial struggles have been a recurring theme, and the additional €20 million from the tour will play a crucial role in stabilizing their finances.

The decision to tour Asia reflects a broader strategy to diversify revenue streams and capitalize on the club’s global appeal. With the financial pressures showing no signs of easing, initiatives like the Asian tour will be essential for Barcelona’s long-term stability.

As the summer of 2025 approaches, fans in China, Japan, and South Korea can look forward to a rare opportunity to see one of football’s most iconic teams in action. For Barcelona, the tour offers a chance to reconnect with their global fanbase while addressing the financial challenges that continue to shape the club’s future.