Why Premier League Clubs Play Weird Friendlies: Pre-Season Tactics Explained (2026)

The Premier League's peculiar pre-season friendlies: a closer look at the unconventional formats and their underlying rationale

The familiar 90-minute football match has been the standard for almost 150 years, but Premier League clubs are experimenting with unconventional friendly formats this pre-season. From 180-minute double-headers to 45-minute triangular tournaments, these unusual games raise questions about their purpose and effectiveness.

Why Premier League Clubs Play Weird Friendlies: Pre-Season Tactics Explained (2026)
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