As they have done every summer since 2023, Paris Saint-Germain Handball will visit Japan this summer. Starting on Tuesday 28 July, they will combine an exploration of Japanese culture with some intensive training, looking to strengthen team spirit while also playing two matches at the renowned Ariake Arena, where the French volleyball team were crowned Olympic champions in 2021. Once again, our Rouge et Bleu will face Zeekstar Tokyo, with the clash on Tuesday 4 August followed the next day by another fixture - against Japan’s youth team.
Back in France on Thursday 6 August, Stefan Madsen’s men will continue their preparations at Coubertin for a week before heading to Germany to compete in the HSG Premium Cup, a pre-season friendly tournament bringing together HSG Nordhorn, a German second-division side, and none other than Barcelona, recent winners of the EHF Champions League - as well as runners-up Füchse Berlin. In the semi-finals, the Parisians will take on the Berliners on Saturday 15 August, whilst the Catalans will face the tournament hosts. The following day, the two winning teams will meet in the final, whilst the losing sides will contest third place in the third-place play-off.
Straight afterwards, the capital club will fly to Denmark to play their final two friendly matches of this particularly intense pre-season programme. Thus, Stefan Madsen, Mikkel Lovkvist and Frederik Ladefoged are set for a trip home for this final journey of the summer. On Tuesday 18 August, the Parisians will see old friend Jacob Holm when they take on Skjern. A few days later, it will be Stefan Madsen and Henrik Mollgaard’s turn to return to their roots as the Parisians play a gala clash with Aalborg. This fixture will serve as a dress rehearsal for the two-legged tie between the sides in the group stage of the upcoming EHF Champions League.
Following this final pre-season match, which will take place on Friday 21 August, Paris Saint-Germain will return to the capital to focus on the Trophée des Champions, which will kick off the 2026–2027 season. On this occasion, Les Rouge et Bleu will take on Montpellier at the Arena du Pays d’Aix on on Saturday 29 August.
