Melbourne City FC will face iconic Italian club Palermo FC in Perth this August as part of the second edition of the Anglo-Palermitan Trophy.
The match will be played at the Sam Kerr Football Centre at 7:00pm AWST on Friday 7 August 2026 and marks the first-ever meeting between the two City Football Group clubs.
While the Club explored a number of options to bring the fixture to Melbourne, scheduling and logistical considerations associated with Palermo’s Australian tour ultimately meant Perth was the only feasible location for the match.
The fixture provides City with a valuable pre-season test ahead of the 2026/27 campaign, while also offering Australian football fans the opportunity to see one of Italy’s most historic clubs in action.
The fixture forms part of Palermo’s first-ever tour of Australia, with the Italian club travelling Down Under as part of the Calcio Italiano festival in Perth. As well as facing Melbourne City in the Anglo-Palermitan Trophy, Palermo will also take on Juventus during what promises to be a landmark visit for the Rosanero.
Following its inaugural edition between Palermo and Manchester City in 2025, the Anglo-Palermitan Trophy now travels to Australia, reflecting the global reach of Palermo and the wider City Football Group network.
Bringing the Anglo-Palermitan Trophy to Australia carries special significance given the longstanding connection between Sicily and Australia’s large Sicilian community. The match not only celebrates Palermo’s heritage and global supporter base but also highlights the international reach of the City Football Group network.
“Everybody here at City Football Group is delighted to be able to confirm the second instalment of the Anglo-Palermitan Trophy,” said Riccardo Bigon, CFG Global Football Technical Director.
“Last summer’s edition was a resounding success providing an opportunity to strengthen the dressing room bonds which were evident throughout both Palermo and Manchester City’s respective seasons. I am sure that both Palermo and Melbourne City will be able to use this experience to full effect for their upcoming campaigns.
“The continuation of the Anglo-Palermitan trophy further demonstrates Palermo’s global outlook, once more reaching the Sicilian community abroad. This historic first visit to Australia for the Club provides both international visibility and key preparation for Inzaghi and his team.
“This meeting between two City Football Group sides is the latest of many examples of the innovative, collaborative spirit of our model being put into practice and an event from which both clubs will take important learnings”.
The fixture further strengthens the relationship between two clubs from within the City Football Group family and represents another opportunity for collaboration, knowledge sharing and cultural exchange across the network.
Information regarding ticket sales, broadcast arrangements and media accreditation will be communicated at a later date.
