Preseason openers: The last ten years

On Wednesday 21 July, FC Barcelona kick off the 2021/22 preseason against Gimnàstic Tarragona at the Estadi Johan Cruyff (7.00pm CEST), the first of the preparatory games ahead of the start of La Liga on August 15.

Curiously, it’s the exact same fixture that started the preseason a year ago, which Barça won 3-1:

Barça have not lost their opening friendly for seven years, a loss to Bayern Munich in the Uli Hoeneß Cup. That was their only defeat in the last decade (seven wins and two draws). There have been a wide range of venues, including three in the United States and two in Germany.

If you want to see how Barça get on in their last preseason debut, you can watch the whole game live on Barça TV+.

Opening day friendlies: Last ten years

2020 – Estadi Johan Cruyff
Barça 3 (Dembélé, Griezmann, Coutinho) G. Tarragona 1

2019 – Saitama, Japan
Barça 1 (Rakitic) Chelsea 2

2018 – Pasadena, USA
Barça 2 (Munir, Arthur) Tottenham 2

2017 – East Rutherford, USA
Barça 2 (Neymar) Juventus 1.

2016 – Dublin, Ireland
Barça 3 (Turan, Munir, OG) Celtic 1

2015 – Pasadena, USA
Barça 2 (Luis Suárez, Sergi Roberto) LA Galaxy 1

2014 – Huelva
Barça 1 (Joan Román) Recreativo 0

2013 – Munich, Germany
Barça 0 Bayern Munich 2

2012 – Hamburg, Germany
Barça 2 (Alves, Deulofeu) SV Hamburg 1

2011 – Split, Croatia
Barça 0 Hajduk Spilt 0