Newcastle United will change their preseason strategy ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, with travel considerations influenced by the international calendar and making a clear shift in how they approached it last summer.
According to Craig Hope of the Daily Mail, the club had explored options for a long-haul tour—including potential commercial opportunities in North America and Asia—those plans have now changed.
“Newcastle’s plan to tour the United States or Far East this summer is set to be shelved in
favour of a European camp, Confidential can reveal,” Hope reported. “There were talks at one stage for a glamour friendly in Florida against Wrexham, the high-flying Championship club owned by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.”
However, Hope adds that Newcastle’s preference has shifted closer to home.
“It is now likely that Howe and his players will stay closer to home, with options in Portugal, Austria and Germany under consideration,” Hope wrote. “That break will be followed by a two-game mini tournament at St James’ Park across the weekend of Saturday, August 15.”
The report cites scheduling factors surrounding the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in North America.
“With the World Cup taking place in North America, there is a feeling that the audience in the United States could be suffering from football fatigue, especially as pre-season tours would begin the week after the World Cup final in New Jersey on July 19,” Hope wrote.
“Also, it is likely that most top stars will be on holiday post-World Cup, thus reducing the commercial value of pre-season this time around.”
Hope concludes: “A central European break is now the preferred option, and that will no doubt be welcomed by Howe and his squad, who have journeyed to the Far East during the last two summers. They will play friendlies while abroad.”
Newcastle are expected to confirm their final preseason schedule in the coming months.
