Newcastle United have confirmed a significant portion of their pre-season schedule, announcing three away friendlies that include a glamour trip to Spain and a local derby. The Magpies will play three domestic friendlies in July before heading to Spain for a week-long training camp, culminating in a fixture against Valencia at the iconic Mestalla Stadium.
Domestic friendlies kick off pre-season
The squad will report for pre-season training at The KNOX on Monday, 13 July, and end the first week with a behind-closed-doors friendly against National League North side Darlington. The following weekend, United will travel across the Tyne to face National League outfit Gateshead in a 12:30pm kick-off on Saturday, 25 July. Championship side Bristol City will host a midweek friendly on Wednesday, 29 July, kicking off at 7:30pm.
Spanish training camp and Valencia test
After the domestic fixtures, Newcastle will head to south-east Spain to step up preparations for the new campaign. The Spanish camp will wrap up with a visit to the Mestalla Stadium on Saturday, 8 August, where La Liga giants Valencia will provide the test. The match kicks off at 9pm local time (8pm BST) and is part of Valencia's annual Trofeu Taronja (Orange Cup) game. This will be Newcastle's first visit to Spain since a 7-2 defeat against Barcelona in the Champions League in March.
Everton friendly at Murrayfield
As previously announced, Newcastle will face Everton in a friendly at Murrayfield in Edinburgh on Wednesday, 12 August, with a 5:15pm kick-off. Plans for the final weekend of pre-season at St James' Park will be confirmed in due course. The World Cup final will be held on Sunday, 19 July, and any Newcastle player involved in the tournament will be given at least three weeks off. As things stand, Bruno Guimaraes, Dan Burn, Anthony Elanga, Nick Woltemade, Malick Thiaw, and Yoane Wissa are all set to progress to the knockout stages.
Roma invitation declined
Chronicle Live revealed in April that Italian giants AS Roma had been invited to play at Newcastle ahead of the new season, but the Serie A side opted to play friendlies against Newport County and Cardiff City in Wales on a mini tour instead.
