The Premier League Asia Trophy is a pre-season tournament staged in Asia so fans there can watch Premier League clubs in person. It began in 2003 in Kuala Lumpur, has been held every 2 years, and the Premier League's records list the 2019 edition in Nanjing and Shanghai as the most recent.
What the tournament is for
The competition sits outside the Premier League season and works as a league-run pre-season event. Its main purpose is to bring Premier League clubs to Asian venues in a format arranged by the league itself.
The event also includes football development activity alongside the matches. The Premier League says that can include coach education, referee training and youth tournaments, with games officiated by Premier League match officials together with local officials under Premier League rules.
Key editions recorded by the Premier League
| Year | Where | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | First edition |
| 2009 | Beijing | First edition in mainland China |
| 2017 | Hong Kong | 8th edition, first with 4 Premier League clubs; Liverpool won |
| 2019 | Nanjing and Shanghai | 9th edition, first in 2 cities; Wolves won |
In a Premier League article published in 2021, the tournament in China was identified as the most recent edition. That is the latest point confirmed in the league's own records.
How the last 2 editions played out
| Edition | Semi-finals | Third place | Final |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Leicester City 1-1 West Brom (7-6 pens); Liverpool 2-0 Crystal Palace | West Brom 0-2 Crystal Palace | Liverpool 2-1 Leicester City |
| 2019 | Newcastle United 0-4 Wolves; Manchester City 4-1 West Ham United | Newcastle United 1-0 West Ham United | Wolves 0-0 Manchester City (3-2 pens) |
Hong Kong hosted the first edition with 4 Premier League clubs, and it was played as a knockout competition across 2 matchdays at Hong Kong Stadium.
Leicester's shootout against West Brom was described by the Premier League as the first one to use the ABBA system. The next edition in China also carried a format first, with the tournament staged across 2 cities.
What makes it different from a standard overseas friendly
Many summer tours are arranged club by club. The Premier League Asia Trophy stands apart because it is organized at league level, played under Premier League rules and worked by Premier League match officials together with local officials.
It also has a wider role than a simple set of friendlies. The football development work around the matches gives the event a second function beyond pre-season preparation.
FAQ
Who won the Premier League Asia Trophy in 2019?
Wolves won the 2019 edition. They drew 0-0 with Manchester City in the final and then won the penalty shootout 3-2.
Who won the Premier League Asia Trophy in 2017?
Liverpool won the 2017 edition in Hong Kong. They beat Crystal Palace in the semi-final and Leicester City in the final.
Where was the first Premier League Asia Trophy held?
The first edition was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2003. That is the starting point of the competition in the Premier League's record.
How often is the Premier League Asia Trophy held?
The Premier League describes it as a tournament held every 2 years. Its own published record identifies 2003 as the first edition and 2019 as the most recent.