Credit: Imago

Ciaran Morrison

Thu 16 April 2026 17:30, UK

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Aston Villa’s pre-season friendly against Bayern Munich could net the club up to £8million, according to Keith Wyness.

The former Aston Villa chief executive, speaking to Football Insider, believes the match could be a big success financially for the club.

The Villans will meet Bayern Munich in Hong Kong, marking their first trip to the region for 15 years, whilst they are preparing to announce further pre-season friendlies in Asia soon.

Taking place at the Kai Tak Stadium, up to 50,000 fans will be able to watch the match, which will take place just two weeks before the start of the 2026-27 Premier League season.

The match could boost Aston Villa’s finances, as the club continue to look at ways to grow revenue to benefit themselves in the transfer market.

Aston Villa to generate ‘commercial bonuses’ from Bayern Munich match

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes there will be a full crowd for the friendly between Aston Villa and Bayern Munich.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks the club are guaranteed to be making £5m upwards from the game.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Apparently, there are a couple of other games in Asia as well. Certainly, Bayern Munich will attract a crowd.

“They’ll be making five million upwards. I know the facility they’re playing at in Hong Kong, the new Kai Tak Sports City. It’s been open just a year now. One of my good friends was the chief executive and opened up the facility. And it is rather special.

“It’s one of the best destinations in the world now and will attract full crowds, no problem at all. There could be some other potential commercial bonuses. It could go up to seven or eight million if everything goes right for them, depending on how it works around the actual tour itself.

“Having Harry Kane, Bayern Munich against Aston Villa, it’ll attract football fans to come, especially if Kane has a great World Cup, or Morgan Rogers. It could be a very appealing pre-season depending on how the World Cup goes and what the timing is of this pre-season tour.”

Champions League return to boost Aston Villa on and off the pitch

Aston Villa’s revenue will be boosted by a return to the Champions League this season, which will significantly help the club in the transfer market.

The club are on course to return to Europe’s top competition, either through the Premier League or by winning the Europa League.

Former Manchester City financial advisor Stefan Borson told Football Insider that it would be a “major achievement” if Aston Villa can qualify for the Champions League.

Unai Emery has been widely praised for the job he has done at Villa Park, due to the financial restrictions that the club have had to deal with to compete at the top of the Premier League table.