Real Sociedad Announces 2026-27 Preseason Schedule with England Friendlies
Real Sociedad will begin their 2026-27 preseason on July 4 at Zubieta under new coach Pellegrino Matarazzo. The six-week preparation includes a five-day training camp in England from July 24-29, featuring friendlies against Aston Villa (July 25) and Wolverhampton (July 28) at Walsall's Bescot Stadium. World Cup participants will join later. Additional friendlies, including a potential match against Cologne, are expected in August.
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Aramburu, Yangel, Óskarsson, Pacheco, and Kita to Debut for Real Sociedad Against Racing
Real Sociedad has completed its third training session of the week ahead of a preseason friendly match against Racing de Santander on Saturday at 18:00 in Zubieta. Five players—Jon Mikel Aramburu, Yangel Herrera, Orri Óskarsson, Kazunari Kita, and Jon Pacheco—are set to make their preseason debuts after missing the first test against Pau FC. The return of Sergio Canales is also highlighted as a key attraction for the match. The article provides updates on player availability and team preparations for the upcoming fixture.
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaReal Sociedad Tests Feelings in Closed-Door Friendly Against Pau FC
Real Sociedad played their first preseason friendly match against French Ligue 2 side Pau FC at their Zubieta training ground, but the match was held behind closed doors and without official information from the club. The French club initially published their starting eleven but later deleted it at Real Sociedad's request. Despite being described as a joint training session by Real, the presence of a referee and linesmen confirmed it was a match. Coach Pellegrino Matarazzo could not count on injured players Odriozola, Balda, Jon Pacheco, Gorrotxategi, and Carlos Fernández, nor World Cup participants Sucic, Guedes, Kubo, and Oyarzabal. Several other players who joined preseason late also did not play. The starting lineup featured a mix of first-team and reserve players, with Igor Zubeldia as captain. The intensity was reportedly high, typical of early preseason matches against French teams. The next friendly, open to fans, is scheduled for July 18 against Racing de Santander.
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaReal Sociedad Holds Closed-Door Preseason Friendly Against Pau FC
Real Sociedad played their first preseason friendly match against French Ligue 2 side Pau FC at their Zubieta training ground. The match was held behind closed doors with no information released to the public. This comes after six training sessions under coach Pellegrino Matarazzo. The team has made no signings compared to last season. Fans will get their first chance to see the team in action on July 18, when Real Sociedad faces Racing de Santander, also at Zubieta. The article notes that the match was a low-key start to preseason preparations.
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaReal Sociedad Tests Form in Closed-Door Friendly Against Pau FC
Real Sociedad played their first preseason friendly match against French Ligue 2 side Pau FC at their Zubieta training ground on July 11, 2026. The match was conducted behind closed doors and without official information from the Spanish club, though Pau FC initially published their starting lineup before deleting it at Real's request. Referees were present, but Real players wore training gear while Pau wore match jerseys. Coach Pellegrino Matarazzo could not field several injured players (Odriozola, Balda, Jon Pacheco, Gorrotxategi, Carlos Fernández) and was also missing World Cup participants Sucic, Guedes, Kubo, and Oyarzabal. Additionally, Aramburu, Yangel, Óskarsson, and Kita had only joined preseason on Thursday and did not play. The starting eleven featured a mix of first-team and reserve players, including Remiro, Zubeldia, Sergio Gómez, and Barrenetxea. The next friendly, open to fans, is scheduled for July 18 against Racing de Santander.
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaMatarazzo: 'I want intensity, we train to compete and we compete to win'
Real Sociedad's new head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo addressed his players for the first time, demanding maximum intensity in training. The American-born coach, assisted by John Maisano and Omer Toprak, began preseason preparations at Zubieta with a reduced squad due to five players recovering from injuries. After an open training session, the team will hold five closed sessions before a friendly match against Pau FC on Saturday. Matarazzo emphasized his philosophy: 'We train to compete and we compete to win.' The article also includes Real Sociedad's full training schedule for the upcoming week.
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaMatarazzo Demands Intensity: "We Train to Compete and Compete to Win"
New Real Sociedad head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo addressed his players on the first day of pre-season training for the 2026-27 campaign, demanding maximum intensity in sessions. The American-born coach, assisted by John Maisano and Omer Toprak, began pitch work at Zubieta with a reduced squad due to five players recovering from injuries. After an open training session on July 5, the club will close doors to the public for the week. The schedule includes five more practices and an informal test match against French side Pau FC on Saturday, followed by a day off. Matarazzo delivered his opening message in near-perfect Spanish, emphasizing a competitive mindset aimed at winning.
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaReal Sociedad 2026-27 Preseason Begins With Joy Despite World Cup Absences
Real Sociedad kicked off their 2026-27 preseason at Zubieta with a joyful reunion of players and coach Pellegrino Matarazzo, less than three months after winning the Copa del Rey. The first day featured hugs and smiles, but several key players were absent due to the ongoing World Cup, including captain Mikel Oyarzabal. Also missing were Álvaro Odriozola and Jon Balda, who trained separately due to lingering injuries. The club called up 28 players for initial physical tests, a mix of first-team and Sanse (reserve) players. The team will see phased returns: Spain internationals Jon Martín, Sergio Gómez, and Beñat Turrientes join on July 6, while Jon Mikel Aramburu, Yangel Herrera, and Orri Oskarsson return on July 9. The return dates for World Cup competitors Mikel Oyarzabal, Gonçalo Guedes, Luka Sucic, and Take Kubo remain unconfirmed.
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaMatarazzo to Begin First Real Sociedad Preseason with Eight Consecutive Days in Zubieta
Pellegrino Matarazzo, head coach of Real Sociedad, has scheduled an intensive eight-day preseason block at the club's Zubieta training ground starting July 4, 2026. The period will begin with physical tests on Saturday, followed by six consecutive training sessions from Sunday through Friday. Sunday's session will be open to fans, while the rest are behind closed doors. The block concludes on Saturday, July 11, with an informal joint training session and small-sided match against French Ligue 2 side Pau FC. Players will then have a rest day on Sunday. Some players will join later due to international commitments and World Cup participation.
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaMatarazzo to Begin First Real Sociedad Preseason with Eight Straight Days at Zubieta
Real Sociedad's new manager, Pellegrino Matarazzo, has scheduled an intensive eight-day preseason block at the Zubieta training facility, starting Saturday, July 4. The plan includes physical tests on the first day, followed by six consecutive closed-door training sessions at 11:00 AM, with only the first session on Sunday open to fans. The week will culminate on Saturday, July 11, with an informal joint training session and friendly match against French Ligue 2 side Pau FC. Players returning late from national team duty, including those involved in the World Cup, will join the squad later. The full squad will have a rest day on Sunday. This marks Matarazzo's first preseason in charge of the LaLiga side.
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaDemanding work plan for Pellegrino Matarazzo's first 9 days of Real Sociedad preseason
Real Sociedad's 2026-27 season is set to begin under new coach Pellegrino Matarazzo, with preseason starting on Saturday, July 4. The club has released the work plan for the first nine days, which includes six regular training sessions, one day of physical tests, a closed-door joint training session/friendly match against French side Pau, and only one rest day. The first day on July 4 features physical tests and assessments at 11:00 AM. Sunday will be an open-door training session for fans at Zubieta. From Monday to Friday, training will be behind closed doors at 11:00 AM. A closed-door match against Pau is scheduled for Saturday, July 11, at 11:30 AM. Sunday, July 12, will be the first rest day. The list of players attending will be published soon.
FútbolReal Sociedad to Close Preseason with Double Friendly Against Cologne in Germany
Real Sociedad will wrap up their 2026-27 preseason with two friendlies against FC Cologne in Germany on August 7 and 8, one week before LaLiga starts. The first match on August 7 at 6:00 PM will be behind closed doors at the Franz-Kremer-Stadion, likely featuring non-starters, while the second on August 8 at 3:30 PM will be at the RheinEnergieStadion. This double fixture completes the preseason schedule for new head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo, who begins training on July 4. Earlier friendlies include Pau FC (July 11, closed doors), Racing de Santander (July 18), Wolverhampton (July 25), Aston Villa (July 28), and Toulouse FC (July 31). The team will train in Zubieta before a week-long stage in England from July 24 to 29. After returning from Cologne, Real Sociedad will prepare for the LaLiga 26-27 season, whose calendar is to be announced on June 29.
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaReal Sociedad announces closed-door preseason friendly against Pau FC
Real Sociedad's first team will begin preseason on July 4 under coach Matarazzo. The club announced a closed-door friendly match against French side Pau FC on July 11 at 11:30 a.m. at Zubieta. Prior to that, training starts July 5. The team also has an England tour planned with friendlies against Aston Villa (July 24) and Wolves (July 29). The article, published by Mundo Deportivo on June 25, 2026, provides scheduling details for the club's preseason preparations.
FútbolPau FC to be Real Sociedad's first preseason test in closed-door training session
Real Sociedad has announced that French Ligue 2 side Pau FC will be the opponent for their first preseason test, a closed-door joint training session on July 11, 2026. The session will take place just one week after the start of preseason on July 4 at Zubieta under coach Pellegrino Matarazzo. The club has also scheduled friendlies against Racing de Santander (July 18), Wolverhampton and Aston Villa in England, and Toulouse in France (July 31). The final test before LaLiga begins the weekend of August 8-9 remains unannounced. The article notes that Real Sociedad's squad appears without notable changes for the 2026-27 season.
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaPau FC to be Real Sociedad's first preseason test in closed-door match on July 11
Real Sociedad will begin its 2026-27 preseason on July 4 under coach Pellegrino Matarazzo. The club announced a closed-door joint training session with French Ligue 2 side Pau FC on July 11, which is expected to be an informal match, serving as the first test of the summer. Other announced friendlies include matches against Racing de Santander (July 18), Wolverhampton and Aston Villa in England, and Toulouse in France on July 31. The article notes that only the final preseason test for the weekend of August 8-9 remains to be announced before La Liga starts the following week.
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaPau FC to Be Real Sociedad's First Preseason Test in Closed-Door Training
Real Sociedad has announced that French Ligue 2 side Pau FC will be the opponent for the team's first preseason test, a closed-door joint training session scheduled for July 11, 2026, one week after preseason begins on July 4. The txuriurdin club, under coach Pellegrino Matarazzo, will also play friendlies against Racing Santander (July 18), Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa in England, and Toulouse (July 31) in France. The closed-door session on July 11 is expected to feature an informal match behind closed doors. The club has yet to announce the final preseason test for the weekend of August 8-9, just before the start of the 2026-27 LaLiga season.
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaReal Sociedad Reverses Order of Preseason Friendlies in England Due to Aston Villa's Asian Tour
Real Sociedad has adjusted the order of their two preseason friendlies during their training camp in England, scheduled between July 24 and 29, 2026. While opponents and dates remain the same, the Basque club swapped the match order because Aston Villa, managed by Unai Emery, has a subsequent Asian tour that required rescheduling. The initial match on Saturday, July 25 at 17:00 local time will now be against Wolverhampton, and the second match on Tuesday, July 28 at 19:30 local time will be against Aston Villa. Both games will be held at The Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium in Walsall, near Birmingham. After the friendlies, Real Sociedad will return to San Sebastián for the final preseason stretch, which also includes a match against Racing de Santander on July 18 and Toulouse FC on July 31.
FútbolReal Sociedad Reverses Order of Preseason Friendlies in England
Real Sociedad has announced a change to the order of its preseason friendlies during its summer training stage in England. The txuriurdin team will now face Wolverhampton on July 25 at 6:00 PM Spanish time, followed by Unai Emery's Aston Villa on July 28 at 8:30 PM. Both matches will be held at Bescot Stadium in Walsall, near Birmingham. The preseason stage is scheduled from July 24 to 29. The club had previously announced the matches in the opposite order but reversed the schedule today.
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaReal Sociedad reverses order of friendlies during England preseason stage
Real Sociedad has announced a reversal in the order of their two preseason friendlies scheduled during their training stage in England from July 24 to 29. Originally planned to face Aston Villa first and Wolverhampton second, the Basque club will now play Wolverhampton on July 25 at 6:00 PM Spanish time, followed by Unai Emery's Aston Villa on July 28 at 8:30 PM. Both matches will be held at Bescot Stadium in Walsall, near Birmingham. The change was communicated by the club ahead of their preparation for the 2026-2027 season. The article, published by Marca and sourced from LALIGA EA Sports, includes an image of Aston Villa manager Unai Emery and defender Pau Torres.
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaReal Sociedad Reverses Order of Preseason Friendlies in England
Real Sociedad has announced a change to the order of their preseason friendlies during their stage in England from July 24 to 29. Originally scheduled to play Aston Villa first, the txuriurdin team will now face Wolverhampton on July 25 at 6:00 PM Spanish time, followed by Unai Emery's Aston Villa on July 28 at 8:30 PM. Both matches will take place at the Bescot Stadium in Walsall, near Birmingham. The reversal was communicated by the club after the initial schedule was released. The friendlies are part of Real Sociedad's summer preparation for the upcoming season.
LALIGA EA Sports // marcaReal Sociedad Sets Date for Fourth Preseason Friendly Against Toulouse
Real Sociedad has announced the fourth preseason friendly for the upcoming season, scheduled for July 31 against Toulouse FC. The match will take place at the Stade Maurice Trélut in Tarbes, France, at 7:00 PM local time. This is part of the team's preseason preparations under new head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo. The txuri-urdin will return to training on July 4, with an open-door session at Zubieta the following day. Prior to the Toulouse match, Real Sociedad will face Racing de Santander on July 18, followed by two Premier League opponents: Aston Villa on July 25 and Wolverhampton on July 28. Both English matches will be held at The Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium in Walsall. The team will travel to England on July 24 for a five-day stay combining matches and training, returning to Donostia on July 29.
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