Newcastle United pre-season fixtures in full with new Atletico Madrid date confirmed
A look at Newcastle United's pre-season plans ahead of the 2025/26 campaign
Newcastle United's pre-season plans are well under way, with five fixtures already confirmed for the summer months. The Magpies squad are going their separate ways after clinching a Champions League place and becoming the first side since 1955 to claim a domestic trophy in what was an excellent season for the club.
The players will return to Tyneside for the start of pre-season training in mid-July, with Eddie Howe hopeful of being able to include some new faces in his squad by that stage. United will also hope to have Joelinton and Lewis Hall back in action after injuries cut their season short.
Pre-season is always a fascinating time, with places up for grabs, new tactics employed and the chance to see any new signings in United colours for the first time.
Four games of the summer schedule have already been confirmed, but at this stage only one is on UK soil. As things stand, Newcastle will get their summer warm-up games under way at Celtic in the Adidas Trophy, with a game against the Scottish Premier League champions on Saturday, July 16.
Tickets for the United end at Celtic Park have already sold out for what is sure to be a pulsating atmosphere at the famous stadium. It's the first time United have travelled to Celtic since 2004.
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers is already looking forward to the game, and said: “I’m really looking forward to this match in the summer and I think it will be a great occasion for both sets of players and supporters, as well as being really important in our build up to next year.”
“Eddie and his team, like ourselves, have enjoyed a great season and I know we will face a tough test from a top Premier League side. As Champions, we will aim to enjoy a good pre-season to get us ready for the challenges of next year at home and abroad, and this really exciting match will provide great preparation for us.”
Howe is also eagerly anticipating the match, and added: “Travelling to Glasgow to face Celtic is a great opportunity to test ourselves as we gear up for Premier League and European football next season. We'll face a top team at an historic ground, with a big away crowd there to support us.”
Newcastle will then jet off to the Far East for three games - two against Premier League opposition. United will face Arsenal in Singapore on Sunday, July 27, before two games in South Korea as part of the Coupang Play Series 2025.
Howe's men will take on a K-League Select XI and then play fellow Champions League qualifiers Tottenham Hotspur. The date and venue for both games is yet to be confirmed.
Last season saw United jet off to Australia for two games Down Under in the immediate aftermath of the season, something which was strongly questioned at the time. The first team faced Spurs in Melbourne before a young Newcastle XI took on the A-League XI.
They followed that with a spell at the adidas training headquarters in Germany, as well as two games in Japan against Urawa Reds and Yokohama FM, plus a domestic friendly against Hull City. United again hosted the Sela Cup at St James' Park, with Girona and Brest on Tyneside for the weekend, while United's Women side took on AC Milan at St James'.
Plans for this year's Sela Cup have also been confirmed, with Newcastle facing Spanish side Athletic Madrid at St James' Park on Saturday, August 9. United's Women side will also face the Atlético de Madrid Femenino on the same day,.
Newcastle United's confirmed 2025 pre-season games
Celtic vs Newcastle United: Saturday, July 19, Celtic Park (3pm)
Newcastle United vs Arsenal: Sunday, July 27 at Singapore National Stadium (7:30pm local time, 12:30pm UK time)
K-League Select XI vs Newcastle United: Coupang Play Series 2025, date, time and venue TBC
Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur: Coupang Play Series 2025, date, time and venue TBC
Newcastle United vs Atletico Madrid: Sela Cup, Saturday, August 16, St James' Park (4pm)