Inter Miami Schedules South American Preseason Tour as Part of Internationalisation Strategy.

Roger Hampel

Image: Inter Miami CF

Inter Miami CF has confirmed the first fixtures of its 2026 preseason programme, announcing a three-match tour across South America as the club prepares for its seventh MLS season following its MLS Cup title. The preseason schedule includes matches in Peru, Colombia and Ecuador, continuing a strategy that combines competitive preparation with international exposure in established football markets.

Preseason Tours as Market Engagement Tools Inter Miami

Preseason tours increasingly serve dual functions: sporting preparation and international market engagement. For Inter Miami, returning to South America reflects the region’s importance as both a football culture hub and a commercially relevant market for MLS clubs seeking broader visibility.

The tour also aligns with MLS’s broader internationalisation efforts, where clubs use preseason windows to engage audiences outside North America without disrupting league schedules.

Match Schedule and Opponents

Inter Miami will begin its tour in Lima, Peru, facing Alianza Lima on January 24, 2026, at Estadio Alejandro Villanueva. This will mark the club’s second consecutive preseason visit to Peru.

The team will then travel to Medellín, Colombia, to play Atlético Nacional on January 31, 2026, at Estadio Atanasio Girardot. Atlético Nacional is among South America’s most decorated clubs, with multiple domestic and continental titles.

The final announced fixture will take place in Guayaquil, Ecuador, against Barcelona de Guayaquil on February 7, 2026, at Estadio Monumental Banco Pichincha. The match represents Inter Miami’s first-ever game against Ecuadorian opposition.

Competitive Preparation and Brand Positioning

Facing historically significant South American clubs provides a competitive preseason environment while positioning Inter Miami within traditional football ecosystems. Such fixtures offer higher sporting intensity than domestic training matches and help clubs benchmark readiness ahead of the regular season. At the same time, these matches generate international media attention and fan engagement in markets with strong football identities, reinforcing Inter Miami’s global brand profile.

South America’s Role in MLS Preseason Planning

South America has become a recurring destination for MLS preseason tours, particularly for clubs seeking exposure beyond Europe-centric friendly circuits. Established stadiums, strong local support and competitive opposition make the region suitable for high-profile preseason fixtures.

For MLS Cup holders like Inter Miami, preseason tours also serve as championship showcase opportunities, allowing clubs to present themselves as representatives of the league on an international stage.