Bayern Munich kick off Asia pre-season tour with friendly against Jeju SK

Bayern Munich opened their Asia pre-season tour with a friendly against Jeju SK, the South Korean K League 1 club, on Jeju island. Reports said the match sold out, with the German side making the trip after an eleven-hour flight, according to those accounts. The fixture was the first of Bayern's Audi Summer Tour and pitted the reigning Bundesliga champions — as the club describes itself — against a side based in Jeju Province that has previously been known as the Yukong Elephants, Bucheon SK and Jeju United. Vincent Kompany was reported to be in charge for the match, with Luis Díaz said to be available and Harry Kane reportedly absent. The friendly comes at the start of a demanding 2026–27 campaign, Bayern's 128th season and their 62nd consecutive year in the German top flight, in which they will compete in the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, Franz Beckenbauer Supercup and Champions League. It also arrives amid speculation over Kim Min-jae's future, though the defender has indicated he hopes to stay.

Bayern open Asia tour with sold-out friendly against Jeju SK

Bayern Munich began their Audi Summer Tour in Asia with a pre-season friendly against Jeju SK in South Korea, the opening fixture of the trip. The hosts compete in the K League 1, the country's top division, and are based in Jeju Province.

According to reports, the match was sold out, with local interest high for the visit of the German champions. Bayern are said to have made an eleven-hour flight to reach Jeju island for the fixture.

The friendly marks the start of Bayern's preparations for the 2026–27 campaign, with the tour taking the club through Asia before competitive action resumes in Germany.

Neither the exact date of the match nor the venue where it was played has been reported, and the result of the friendly was not immediately available. Further fixtures on the tour are expected to follow as Bayern continue their pre-season schedule in the region.

Who are Jeju SK?

While Bayern Munich need little introduction, their hosts may be less familiar to European audiences. Jeju SK are a South Korean club competing in K League 1, the country's top division. Based in Jeju Province, on the island of the same name off the southern coast of the Korean peninsula, the club has carried several identities over its history. It was founded as the Yukong Elephants, later became Bucheon SK after relocating to the mainland, and took the name Jeju United following its move to the island — a name by which it is still widely known today.

Kane reportedly absent, Díaz available for Kompany's side

Harry Kane did not feature in the friendly, according to reports, with no reason given for the striker's absence. There was better news on Luis Díaz, who was said to be available for selection, although it is not clear whether he actually took to the pitch.

The match gave Vincent Kompany, Bayern's head coach, an early opportunity to assess his squad at the start of the club's pre-season programme in Asia. Squad availability at this stage of the summer is often shaped by players returning at different times from international duty and individual fitness work, and Kompany used the opening fixture of the tour to begin building match sharpness across the group. Kane's absence meant the attacking burden fell on others, with Díaz among those in contention to play a part in South Korea.

A 128th season on four fronts

The friendly falls at the start of a landmark campaign. The 2026–27 season is Bayern Munich's 128th, and their 62nd consecutive season in the German top flight. The club is competing on four fronts: the Bundesliga, the DFB-Pokal, the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup and the UEFA Champions League.

According to the club, Bayern also entered the match on Jeju as reigning Bundesliga champions, adding a domestic title defence to their commitments in the cup and in Europe. The Asia tour therefore serves as preparation for a packed calendar, with competitive fixtures across four competitions awaiting the squad once the pre-season schedule concludes.

Kim Min-jae addresses transfer speculation

Kim Min-jae's future at Bayern Munich has been the subject of transfer speculation ahead of the tour, with reports linking the South Korean centre-back with a move away from the club. Kim, however, has indicated that he hopes to remain in Munich despite the rumours. Which clubs may be interested in signing him, and whether any negotiations are under way, have not been reported. The speculation follows the defender back to his home country, where Bayern's pre-season schedule has brought added attention to his situation.

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