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SportsBILD: Schalke 04 plans pre-season friendly vs Real Madrid at Veltins Arena on Aug 16
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According to BILD Sport, Bundesliga promoted side Schalke 04 is planning a high-profile pre-season friendly match against Real Madrid at the Veltins Arena on August 16, 2026. The match would serve as a dress rehearsal for both clubs before their respective league seasons begin. Real Madrid's star players, including Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius Junior, and Jude Bellingham, are expected to participate. The Spanish association has approved a postponement of Real Madrid's league match that weekend due to the club's high number of World Cup players. Schalke will pay a reduced fee because Real Madrid coach José Mourinho reportedly wants the game to happen, but ticket prices will be relatively high to cover costs. A similar plan fell through last year due to Schalke's crowded schedule. All tickets will be available for public sale.
Source report
Gelsenkirchen – Schalke fans, take note: This news could be a real blockbuster. According to BILD information, the promoted Bundesliga side is planning to host a test match at the Veltins Arena against an absolute world-class club. August 16th is reportedly being considered.
As BILD has learned, no less than Real Madrid is set to travel to the Ruhr region. Royal Blue against the Royals! That means the star-studded lineup featuring Kylian Mbappé (27), Vinicius Junior (25), and Jude Bellingham (23) would bring the glory of days gone by to the arena. While the deal is not yet fully finalized, planning has been underway for weeks.
The chances that all top stars will actually play are very good. For both clubs, the match is intended as a dress rehearsal before the first matchday of the season. Schalke will face FC Augsburg two weeks later. Real Madrid would normally have to play on the weekend of the planned test, but the Spanish association has approved a one-week postponement, as the record Champions League winner provides an unusually high number of players for the World Cup.
Good news for Schalke: Since FC Bayern Munich will visit for the first home game of the season, a duel with Real under similar conditions could serve as perfect preparation.
Financial Details:
- Schalke will pay less to Madrid than other clubs, as Real coach José Mourinho (63) reportedly strongly wants to play at Schalke.
- However, the Spaniards still demand a low seven-figure fee to travel to Germany.
- As a result, Schalke would need to charge relatively high ticket prices to cover costs.
- All tickets are to be made available for public sale.
Background: A matchup with Real Madrid was already planned last year, but the test fell through due to Schalke's already full schedule.
Source
BILD - SportWestern
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Schalke 04 to Host Real Madrid in Pre-Season Friendly