The Emirates Cup has been synonymous with Arsenal’s home since 2007, played almost every summer apart from a handful of occasions. But with the club planning to expand the stadium in time for Euro 2028, could the pre-season tradition soon be put on hold?
There have been several examples in the past when the Emirates Cup has been cancelled. In 2012, the London Olympics made it impossible to stage, while Euro 2016 forced another postponement. Further stadium work in 2018 caused another delay, before the COVID-19 pandemic meant no tournament in 2020 or 2021.
Most recently, Arsenal hosted Athletic Bilbao in August 2024, winning 3-0 before also triumphing on penalties in the same fixture. That day saw Viktor Gyökeres score his first goal in red and white, giving supporters an early glimpse of the £63.5 million striker.
A rich Emirates Cup history
Arsenal have lifted the Emirates Cup nine times and lost it on six occasions. The competition originally featured two days of matches with extra points awarded for goals scored, providing plenty of entertainment in its early years.
Over time, some memorable moments have emerged. Arsene Wenger’s side beat PSG and Inter Milan in the inaugural edition, while Hamburg became the first visiting winners in 2008. The likes of Real Madrid, Rangers, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Celtic, Valencia, Lyon and Monaco have all graced the tournament, with Galatasaray and Sevilla also among those to take the trophy away from North London.
Unai Emery’s side famously let it slip in 2019 against Lyon, while Gabriel Jesus marked his first summer at Arsenal with a hat-trick in the 2022 edition. The competition has therefore provided a stage for both new signings and young talent to make their mark.
Will expansion plans end the tradition?
There has been no formal confirmation from the club about postponing the Emirates Cup, but speculation around expansion is growing. With Manchester City and Manchester United both linked to significant stadium projects, Arsenal are eager to increase their own capacity. Reports suggest the Gunners could expand to 80,000 seats, which would make the Emirates the biggest club ground in the Premier League.
The challenge is timing. Any major work would have to take place during the summer, directly clashing with the Emirates Cup. If the project is to be completed by Euro 2028, then the tournament could be sacrificed in 2026 and 2027.
For now, fans will wait to see whether tradition gives way to ambition. The Emirates Cup has provided plenty of memories, but the prospect of Arsenal boasting the Premier League’s largest stadium may come at its expense.
What do you think, Gooners, would you sacrifice the Emirates Cup for a bigger ground?
Liam Harding
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It doesn’t bother me. Expansion is more important than this very prestigious competition 🤣.
Honestly I don’t care about the Emirates Cup at all.
Sometimes it’s okay to postpone or get rid of a tradition
But Stephanie,
It’s the only competition that we win. Even if we did invent it. 😂👍
You said it before me, imagine Mik telling Stan that he wins a trophy every year, and then its no longer there! If only Mik is there in 2028! With Berta’s speed in getting the signings done,I’m not sure if we can greet Mik a Happy New Year 2026.
Caustic respnse, Derek, but I agree. The honour of owning Premier League’s largest stadium cannot be sneezed at.
Pretty sure the stadiums have already been chosen for that competition. That lot in N17th are getting the games in London.
As for the so called expansion of our stadium, I’d be surprised if it happens.
Perhaps you need to read the article again, it’s about the Emirates cup not the Euros or anything else 🤣🤣
Yep, I went on the line in the first paragraph of the article where it said “But with the club planning to expand the stadium in time for Euro 2028” I thought the writer of the article was saying that the stadium would be used for said Euros.
The Emirates cup has really just been a pre season ‘friendly’ to showcase the players in front of a more family based crowd of fans who don’t normally get the chance to see them play. Over the last time or so it’s been a one off match against one team rather than three teams either two games on one or both of the days. In the grand scheme of things stadium expansion is more important which will hopefully mean more fans get to see the team, but obviously not at the family friendly prices of the Emirates cup.
I used to go on both days back in the day. Good value to, you see four games over two days. Can’t be bad.
As for the stadium expansion, I think the Islington Council will have something to say about that.🤷♂️
Don’t worry about the local council, a small brown envelope usually does the trick, allegedly 😊
GB,
Do you think they will accept a card payment.😂
There definitely won’t be an expansion in the next 5 years even. And the stadiums are already set for Euro 2028. For events, Wembley and Spurs stadium will always be the two chosen since they are the most advanced in their stadium technology.
The Emirates Cup is hardly a prestige event and probably not even recognised by UEFA, but worry not, LBI won’t allow such a large capacity increase. As I remember it, we had to bargain hard to get 60K, and an extra 20K would impact negatively on that highly populated area.
Any talks about expanding the Emirates, will be carried out in a smoke filled room, with The Arsenal, Islington Council and London Transport in attendance.
One of the biggest issues, will be the accessibility around the ground, both before and after games.
Holloway Road tube station was rumoured to be updated with underground access to the Emirates via a direct tunnel into the ground.
This, the Clock End, is where the young and old supporters have their discounted seats.
I was chatting to a train driver about this and he said that the club decided not to go ahead with the plan, because of the costs, so I think that issue will certainly play a part in any, if any, discussions take place.
Smoke-filled rooms don’t exist anymore since smoking was banned in the workplace Ken🤣. Other than that, I’m sure it’ll take plenty of hard bargaining before the proposal is rejected, pretty much for the reasons you’ve stated. I used to live in Drayton Park and know how it is around there on match days.
You’ve spoilt my image of the smoke filled rooms now Jax!!
Back to the article and I’ve heard different ideas regarding how to increase the crowds.
Lowering the pitch to accommodate more seats at the front – closing up the dips at the top of the stands – increasing club level, by bringing it out further (I used to be able to see the big screen, but they spoilt that when they initially increased the level above me) but I believe it’s the increase in the amount of supporters trying to get in and out that will be the biggest issue to overcome Jax.
Having said that, I find it takes just thirty minutes to be on the tube and travelling either to Cockfosters or Walthamstow.
Try getting away from Newcastle, Villa or the toilet bowl as quickly as that!!
There is a terrible bottleneck afterwards
I suggest a tunnel from the Emirates to Holloway rd station
It would be good for me at least
That was, I believe, what was proposed, but, again, I believe, the club decided against it due to the cost.
No doubt Ken1945
But better than shuffling along to Arsenal station with the clever clogs pushing in 😀
OT
Wow with Levy and our former CEO at Spurs. I’d missed that
Could they not create standing area’s, which in turn increases the capacity?. Or am I missing something?.
Not sure how “official” this really is, but there’s an article within YouTube, detailing hiw the Emirates is going to be transformed into a 80,000 new stadium.
Seventeen new corporate boxes, seats to be given more
leg room etc etc and this to be finished in 2028 and at a cost of £5 billion.
As I say, not sure if this is official, but something to look out for and forward too if it is.
Ken1945,
I’ve seen that on YouTube as well.
Blow me!! £5 billion to add 20K to a stadium that cost less than half a billion🤣
Could that be inflation?!?! 😂
Only the price of being part of that new 80,000 capacity. 🤣
Blame it on Rachelle Reeves Ken.🤣
Jax,
I hear she’s now looking for properties around the Emirates area. 😂