Athletic Club Announces 2026 Preseason with Local Friendlies Under Terzic
Athletic Club, under new coach Edin Terzic, will begin preseason on July 6, 2026, with medical tests at Lezama, followed by training on July 8. The club will play three friendlies against Basque teams Derio (July 15), Leioa (July 18), and Sestao River (July 22) in Bizkaia, marking the first local preseason matches since 2019. Terzic plans additional friendlies against European opponents after July 25.
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Athletic Club to Face Racing Santander in Preseason Friendly in Laredo
Athletic Club, under new coach Edin Terzic, has added a preseason friendly against Racing de Santander to their summer schedule. The match, a First Division duel, will take place on July 29 at 19:00 in the Cantabrian municipality of Laredo, located halfway between Santander and Bilbao. Racing returns to La Liga after 14 years and won the second division title. Athletic expects a festive atmosphere with involvement from the local Peña 7 de Abril Aitor Paredes fan club. This fixture follows Athletic's three-match Biscay tour (July 15-22) and precedes an August 1 match against Burgos at El Plantío.
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaAthletic Club to Face Racing Santander in Top-Tier Preseason Friendly in Laredo
Athletic Club has announced a high-profile preseason friendly against newly promoted Racing de Santander, scheduled for July 29 at 7:00 PM in Laredo, a coastal town between Santander and Bilbao. The match is part of Athletic's preparation under new head coach Edin Terzic, who is leading the team in his first preseason. Racing returns to La Liga after a 14-year absence, having won the Segunda División title convincingly. The friendly is expected to draw a festive crowd, especially from the local peña 7 de Abril Aitor Paredes based in Laredo. The match fits between Athletic's Biscay tour (July 15-22) and a fixture against Burgos on August 1. The club sees the game as a good test for Terzic's early tactics.
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaAthletic Club to Face Racing Santander in Laredo Preseason Friendly
Athletic Club has announced a preseason friendly match against Racing de Santander, to be held on July 29, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Cantabrian municipality of Laredo. This match is part of Athletic's first preseason under new head coach Edin Terzic. Racing de Santander returns to La Liga after a 14-year absence, having won the Segunda División title. The fixture serves as a key test for Terzic's squad. The match is scheduled between Athletic's Biscay tour (July 15-22) and a match against Burgos on August 1. The event is expected to be a festive occasion, with involvement from the local Peña 7 de Abril Aitor Paredes fan club.
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaAthletic Club Adds New Preseason Friendly Against Racing Santander
Athletic Club has announced a new preseason friendly match against Racing de Santander, scheduled for July 29 at 7:00 PM at the San Lorenzo field in Laredo. The match is part of Athletic's preseason preparation starting July 6 at Lezama facilities. Racing de Santander, recently promoted to the First Division after winning the Second Division, features several former Athletic players including Peio Canales (on loan), Ezkieta, Iñigo Vicente, and Asier Villalibre. Athletic's confirmed friendlies include matches against Derio (July 15), Leioa (July 18), Sestao (July 22), Racing Santander (July 29), and Burgos (August 1). The team may add two or three more friendlies against stronger opponents before the 26-27 League season starts around August 15-16, though the start could be delayed if Spain advances in the World Cup.
FútbolAthletic Club adds Burgos friendly to preseason schedule
Athletic Club has confirmed its fourth preseason friendly, facing Burgos at El Plantío on Saturday, August 1 at 7:00 PM. This match will serve as Burgos' presentation to their fans. The Bilbao-based club's preseason begins on July 8 at Lezama under coach Edin Terzic, followed by a Bizkaia tour with matches against Derio, Leioa, and Sestao River between July 15 and 22. Burgos, who finished seventh in LaLiga Hypermotion last season with 72 points, recently appointed Sergio Francisco as their new coach after Luis Miguel Ramis moved to Osasuna. The article notes that former Athletic player Iñigo Córdoba, a key figure for Burgos this season with 44 appearances and four goals, may face his old club, though his contract expires on June 30 and his future is uncertain. Athletic's preseason schedule still has gaps, with the official league season expected to start the weekend of August 15-16, depending on the World Cup.
FútbolAthletic Club Revives Preseason Tradition with Local Friendlies After Seven Years
Athletic Club will resume preseason activities on Monday, July 6, 2026, after a seven-year hiatus from playing summer friendlies against local Bizkaia teams. The squad will undergo medical, physical, and physiological tests on July 6-7 before the first official training session under new manager Edin Terzic on July 8 at Lezama. The German coach expressed pride and eagerness to experience San Mamés. The preseason schedule includes three matches against modest Bizkaia opponents: Derio (July 15), Leioa (July 18), and Sestao River (July 22), all at 7:30 PM. The club last played a summer friendly against a Bizkaia team in 2019 against Arenas. This marks a return to local engagement after years of hosting non-local teams or participating in regional cup finals.
FútbolAthletic Club Sets Preseason Start Date for July 6 Under New Coach Edin Terzic
Athletic Club has announced its preseason schedule, beginning on Monday, July 6, 2026, with medical, physical, and physiological tests that will extend into Tuesday, July 7, as players are divided into two groups. The first field training session at Lezama will take place on Wednesday, July 8, under the supervision of new head coach Edin Terzic, marking his debut with the team. Terzic, who expressed pride and eagerness to coach Athletic and experience San Mamés, is already working with sporting director Mikel González to prepare. The club also revealed a three-match tour of Bizkaia for friendlies: July 15 vs Derio in Portugalete, July 18 vs Leioa, and July 22 vs Sestao River. Additionally, the reserve team Bilbao Athletic will begin preseason on the same day, July 8, allowing Terzic to call up players as needed. The number of youngsters to join the first team remains unconfirmed.
FútbolAthletic Club to Open Preseason Against Basque Rivals for First Time Since 2019
Athletic Club, under new coach Edin Terzic, will begin their 2026 preseason with three friendlies against Vizcaya-based teams: Derio (July 15), Leioa (July 18), and Sestao (July 22). This marks the first time since 2019 that Athletic has started its preseason against a local Basque rival. The matches are part of a broader preparation plan that includes more friendlies than in previous seasons, with Terzic aiming to give ample game time to a squad that will undergo several cuts. From July 25 onward, the team will combine training at Lezama with away friendlies against European opponents. Leioa is currently competing for promotion to Segunda Federación, while Sestao already plays in that category.
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaAthletic Club to Open Preseason Against Basque Rivals for First Time Since 2019
Athletic Club, under new coach Edin Terzic, will begin their 2026 preseason with three friendlies against Basque teams Derio (July 15), Leioa (July 18), and Sestao (July 22), all starting at 7:30 PM. This marks the first time since 2019 that Athletic has opened preseason against a Bizkaia rival, breaking a streak of facing teams like Logroñés, St. Gallen, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Guadalajara (Mexico), Burgos, and Ponferradina. Leioa is competing for promotion to Segunda Federación, while Sestao already plays in that category. Terzic plans more friendlies than previous seasons to provide game time for a squad requiring cuts. After July 25, the team will combine home sessions at Lezama with away friendlies against European opponents.
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaAthletic Club to Open Preseason Against Basque Rivals for First Time Since 2019
Athletic Club, under new coach Edin Terzic, will begin their 2026 preseason with three friendlies against Vizcaya-based teams: Derio (July 15), Leioa (July 18), and Sestao (July 22). This marks the first time since 2019 that Athletic has opened preseason against a local Basque rival. The matches will all start at 7:30 PM, with Leioa and Sestao hosting at their own grounds and Derio playing at La Florida in Portugalete. Leioa is currently competing for promotion to Segunda Federación, having eliminated Derio in the playoffs, while Sestao already plays in that category. Terzic has scheduled more friendlies than previous seasons, emphasizing game time for a squad requiring cuts. After July 25, the team will combine home sessions at Lezama with away friendlies against European opponents.
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaTerzic to Debut with Friendly Tour Across Bizkaia
New Athletic Club coach Edin Terzic will begin his tenure with a preseason friendly tour across Bizkaia, facing lower-tier opponents to evaluate the squad and connect with fans. The club announced three matches: against Derio on July 15 at La Florida, Leioa on July 18 at Sarriena, and Sestao River on July 22 at Las Llanas, all starting at 7:30 PM. Notably, Terzic will not hold a training camp outside Lezama this summer, instead completing the bulk of preseason at home. The article also notes that Derio was managed by former Athletic player Iker Muniain this season in Tercera RFEF, and Leioa is competing in a playoff final for promotion to Segunda RFEF. The friendly with Leioa also celebrates the town's 500th anniversary. Training is expected to begin around July 6.
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