Newcastle United have announced a glamour pre-season friendly against Bayer Leverkusen at St James' Park, kicking off the newly named VisitMalta Weekender on August 15. The 2024 Bundesliga champions will travel to Tyneside for a 3pm kick-off, marking the first match of a two-day football festival.
VisitMalta Replaces Sela as Sponsor
VisitMalta has taken over from Sela as the sponsor of Newcastle's annual pre-season weekender. The organisation will provide trophies for both the men's and women's winners, with a Sunday double-header scheduled for August 16. The women's team, managed by Tanya Oxtoby, will play first, followed by a second men's match later that afternoon. Opponents for the Sunday fixtures are yet to be announced.
A Newcastle United statement said: "We will welcome European opposition to Tyneside this summer as St James’ Park hosts the ‘VisitMalta Weekender 2026’. The two-day festival of football is scheduled for 15-16 August, giving the men’s and women’s squads a chance to intensify pre-season preparations in front of a home support. All matches across an action-packed weekend will be contested for VisitMalta Cup trophies, raising the stakes for the Magpies' return to St. James’ Park ahead of the 2026/27 campaign."
Previous Champions League Encounter
Newcastle last faced Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League last season, drawing 2-2 at the BayArena. Goals from Lewis Miley and Anthony Gordon secured a point for Eddie Howe's side in Europe.
Pre-Season Preparations
The VisitMalta Weekender forms a key part of Newcastle's pre-season schedule, allowing both the men's and women's teams to fine-tune their preparations ahead of the 2026/27 campaign. The club has not yet announced further pre-season fixtures.
