Sports Listings: Plan ahead

MOVING from the world stage to the domestic front, the Makita tournament in England and the International tournament in Scotland next month are curtain-raisers to the official opening of the football seasons in both countries, the FA Charity Shield on 14 August and the Scottish League the previous day.

The sixth Makita international tournament on 6-7 August is at Arsenal FC this year and involves the hosts, Chelsea, last year's winners, Atletico Madrid and Napoli. The competition has fond memories for Arsenal. They won the first two tournaments at Wembley and, when the event moved to Highbury in 1991, Arsenal were beaten in a penalty shoot-out by the Italian side, Sampdoria.

Sampdoria this year head to Scotland for the International tournament at Rangers on 5-6 August and David Platt will be able to renew friendships with the club who released him, Manchester United. Newcastle United complete the four-team draw, played over Friday night and late Saturday afternoon.

For followers of the four-team format, Barcelona also stage their competition next month. The hosts, offering such entertaining talents in Romario, Hristo Stoichkov and Ronald Koeman, have invited Valencia, PSV Eindhoven and CSKA Sofia for the midweek event on 23-24 August.

Makita International Tournament, 6-7 August.

Arsenal FC, Highbury, London N5 1BU (Tel: 071-226 0304; fax 071-226 0329).

Saturday 6 August: Arsenal v Atletico Madrid (2.0); Chelsea v Napoli (4.0). Sunday: Third place play-off (2.30); Final (4.30).

Tickets: Centre Blocks East and West upper tier: pounds 23 single day (pounds 34 double day if purchased in advance). Next to Centre Blocks East and West upper tier: pounds 17 (pounds 25). Wing Blocks East and West upper tier: pounds 15 (pounds 22). East and West lower tiers: pounds 11 (pounds 16). North Bank Stand upper tier: pounds 18 (pounds 27). Upper tier wing: pounds 14 (pounds 21). Lower tier: pounds 14 (pounds 21). Lower tier wing: pounds 11 (pounds 16). Family enclosure (Members only): pounds 11 (pounds 16) adults; pounds 8 (pounds 12) concessions.

International Tournament, 5-6 August.

Rangers FC, Ibrox Stadium, Edminston Drive, Glasgow G51 2XD (Tel: 041-427 8500; fax 041-427 2676).

Friday 5 August: Rangers v Sampdoria (6.30); Manchester United v Newcastle United (8.45). Saturday: Third place play-off (4.0); Final (6.15).

Tickets (on sale from Monday): Main Stand front: one day pounds 25 adults, pounds 12.50 concessions; both days pounds 45, pounds 22.50. Rear: pounds 22.50, pounds 11; pounds 40, pounds 20. Govan Stand front: pounds 22.50, pounds 11; pounds 40, pounds 20. Rear: pounds 25, pounds 12.50; pounds 45, pounds 22.50. Copland Road front: pounds 18, pounds 9; pounds 32, pounds 16. Rear: pounds 22.50, pounds 11; pounds 40, pounds 20. Seated Enclosure: pounds 22.50, pounds 11; pounds 40, pounds 20.

Barcelona Tournament, 23-24 August.

FC Barcelona, Nou Camp Stadium, Av Aristides Maillol s/n, 08028 Barcelona (Tel: 010 34 3 3309411; fax 4112219).

Teams: Barcelona, CSKA Sofia, PSV Eindhoven, Valencia. Tickets: available two weeks prior to tournament.