Pre-season tours range from Man United, Chelsea and Liverpool chasing the lucrative US dollar, through sponsorships and shirt sales, to QPR orienteering and 'bonding' in Scotland.

So what exactly is the purpose of pre-season? Is it to allow new singings to bond with their team mates, or maybe its to get leg-weary players up to scratch for the coming season?

The more cynical could say it's just a good opportunity to make some money. Judging by the schedules in store for last season's top-five Arsenal, Chelsea, Man United, Liverpool and Newcastle, the best answer would be: all of the above.

Defending champions Arsenal have opted for a low key, traditional build up to the season. Having thrashed nearby Barnet 10-1, the Gunners will travel to Austria to play Grazer AK (24 July) then Sturm Graz (28 July) - not the most gruelling schedule, but maybe that's the point.

Meanwhile, title rivals Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool will parade their talents in the Champions World Series Tournament in America. Jose Mourinho's team kick-off proceedings against Celtic on Saturday, in Seattle.

Although football is someway short of being a national obsession in the USA, United and Liverpool would like Chelsea relish any media or corporate exposure cast their way.

With the likes of Milan, Celtic and Roma also present that would seem a real possibility.

Ryan Giggs seems to suggest there is more to it than simply selling shirts, and said on United's website: "What happened last season showed the benefit of playing quality pre-season games, so we are looking forward to getting straight back into it."

Although without key players such as Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Paul Scholes, Ronaldo and Louis Saha joining the squad it is hard to gauge the real benefit.

Liverpool will play their only pre-season friendly the UK tonight at Wrexham before jetting off to America. Rafael Benitez's team will then will then play Celtic in Connecticut (26 July), FC Porto in Toronto (30 July) then finally Roma in New York (03 August).

The tour will be a chance for the new coach to see what his team are made of, as well as new signingDjibril Cisse.

Newcastle United seem more interested in their own transfer dealings at present.

The Magpies will play Rangers at home on the 31st July, then either Sporting Lisbon or Feyenoord will visit St James' on the 1st August. Their final friendly is away to Celtic on the 4th August.

Charlton Athletic are following in Real Madrid and Manchester United's footsteps of seasons in the past, and are unashamedly looking to attract a following - and a sponsor - in the Far East. Whilst preparing for their game on Thursday the south London club have been meeting the great and the good in the city of Shenzhen.

So why tour in the Far East? This is best explained by Charlton assistant chief executive Steve Sutherland, who said on the club's official website:

"The English Premier League is the most watched league in the world with 570m people in 106 different countries regularly watching the Premiership on TV.

"It is through activities such as this pre-season tour in China that will make the name of Charlton Athletic more recognisable across the world."

Corporate interests are not however the motivation behind every teams pre-season schedule. While Arsenal and Newcastle have been pretty unadventurous, the same could not be said for Ian Holloway's QPR.

Last week he took his side into the Scottish Highlands for a spot of boxing, running and abseiling along with some other outdoor pursuits. Not all went according to plan however when two unnamed players got lost during the orienteering course.

Despite this Holloway enthused: "We had a lot of fun up there. My motto is we work hard and play hard."