The FC Barcelona board makes a very positive assessment of its Asian preseason tour this year. Beyond the uncertainty that surrounded the initial flight to Japan, everything has gone according to plan and the club will receive about 15 million euros net for its three friendlies in Asia.
In addition, the club has received a real mass bath in Japan and South Korea, added to the enormous impact of the YouTube broadcasts of the friendlies against Vissel Kobe (1-3) and FC Seoul (3-7). The match in the Korean capital yielded 2.1 million unique users on the Barça channel and more than 14 million views, a record for the culé channels.
In that sense, Barça seems willing to return to Asia for its next preseason. The club could go to China, without ruling out a return to Japanese and South Korean lands. Everything will depend on the sponsorship contracts that arise in the coming months.
Barça could 'forget' about the United States again in 2026
Along with the economic and media factor, there is another important reason to bet again on the Asian market in the summer of 2026. Like this year, the United States will host a continental fair, the absolute World Cup of national teams, which ends on July 19.
Landing in North America after a World Cup does not seem like a sensible option, this being the main reason why Barcelona pointed to Japan and Korea this 2025.
After the Club World Cup, in addition to the dispute of the Gold Cup and the Leagues Cup, the US market was more than saturated this summer. Hence, betting on Asia, for now, looks like the best option, without forgetting markets such as Oceania (Australia, New Zealand) and the Middle East, where the culés can also earn a lot of money with a couple of friendlies.
Joan Laporta is clear: Barça must keep the Asian and USA markets open
Beyond these factors, Joan Laporta does not rule out, far from it, returning to US territory soon. The club held the last preseasons there (2022, 2023 and 2024), with very positive results, especially thanks to the Clásicos played against Real Madrid.
In this regard, the president also referred to the possibility of playing a League match in the USA, an objective that Javier Tebas has been pursuing for almost a decade.
"We are delighted to go to the United States every year because we feel loved and respected as a club, we have many fans there," Laporta began in an interview for the 'CNN' network. In turn, he made it clear that, as a club, Barça is "open and available" to the employers to market the tournament in the US market.
Likewise, 'Jan' valued the commitment to Japan and Korea, leaving the door open for the next preseason. "For us, Asia is crucial. It is very important. It is a market in which we can develop our image, brand and feeling. We have many followers in Asia and we are very proud," the azulgrana president pointed out.
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