KUALA LUMPUR – English Premier League powerhouse Chelsea FC will face Malaysia Super League champions Johor Darul Ta'zim FC (JDT) in a high-profile pre-season friendly at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Johor on Aug 11.
The match will mark Chelsea’s first visit to Malaysia since 2013 and forms part of the club’s preparations for the 2026-2027 Premier League campaign under newly-appointed manager Xabi Alonso.
Established in 1905, Chelsea are among the most successful clubs in world football, having secured six English league titles, two UEFA Champions League trophies, two UEFA Europa League crowns and eight FA Cups.
For JDT, the fixture represents another landmark moment in the club’s remarkable rise over the past decade.
The Southern Tigers have dominated Malaysian football, winning a record 12 consecutive Malaysia Super League titles, alongside multiple Malaysia Cup and FA Cup honours.
JDT also made history as the first Malaysian club to lift the AFC Cup and have become regular contenders in Asia’s top-tier club competitions in recent years.
Chelsea director of football operations Pete Nuttall said the club were thrilled to return to Malaysia and reconnect with supporters in the region.
“We are delighted to include this fixture against JDT as the final match of our pre-season tour and to make our first visit to the country since a friendly in 2013.
“Football has an incredibly passionate following across the region and this is a fantastic opportunity for our supporters in Malaysia and across Southeast Asia to see the team in action once again ahead of the new season,” he said in a statement today.
JDT chief executive officer Luis Garcia described the occasion as a significant moment for both the club and Malaysian football.
“We are incredibly proud and honoured to host one of the world’s most renowned Premier League clubs, Chelsea.
“This occasion is not only a milestone for our club, but also reflects JDT’s growing stature in Asian football.
“The Sultan Ibrahim Stadium is our fortress and this August it will become the stage for a truly unforgettable night,” he said on X.
Garcia added that Chelsea would also have the opportunity to experience JDT’s hospitality and Johor’s world-class facilities during their stay.
Meanwhile, match organiser TEG Sport managing director Rachael Carroll thanked the Regent of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, for his support in bringing the match to Malaysia.
“We have heard so much about the passion Malaysian fans have for football and we simply cannot wait to experience the electric atmosphere on match day,” she said in a statement.
Tickets for the match are priced between RM154 and RM1,254. - May 20, 2026
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