​Barcelona’s preparations for the 2026-27 season are gathering momentum as the club finalises another friendly ahead of the new campaign. According to Què T’hi Jugues, Hansi Flick’s side will travel to England for a training camp that will feature a crucial additional fixture against Preston North End, further enriching a pre-season schedule that is already bustling with activity.
The latest Barcelona updates confirm that the match against Preston North End will be held behind closed doors on 3 August at St George’s Park, the England base where the squad will spend a week intensifying their preparations for the forthcoming season. This fixture will mark Barcelona’s second match on English soil before they return to Spain to continue their pre-season programme. The team is set to land in England on 27 July, kicking off a rigorous training camp under Flick’s leadership while integrating new and returning players into the system.
During their English sojourn, Barcelona will first face Birmingham City on 30 July, followed by Preston North End a few days later. Although the Preston clash will not be open to the public, it represents a valuable chance for Flick to evaluate the squad in a competitive environment as the team moves into the final stage of its pre-season. It’s worth noting that not every senior player will be available for these early fixtures, as several squad members who took part in the FIFA World Cup are expected to join the camp later, after the mandatory 21-day break mandated by the cooperation between FIFA and FIFPro is completed.
This means Jules Kounde will miss the England leg of the trip, as France advanced to the World Cup semi-finals, while the potential absence of more Barcelona internationals will depend on their teams’ results in the World Cup. With the Preston fixture now added, Barcelona’s pre-season schedule is largely taking shape, offering a balanced mix of domestic and international preparation.
The club’s pre-season plan begins on 13 July, culminating in a first friendly against Europa at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper on 24 July. After these initial tests, the squad travels to England for clashes with Birmingham City and Preston North End before continuing to Italy. The overseas phase concludes with a three-team tournament on 8 August that will feature Udinese and Nottingham Forest, presenting another opportunity to sharpen players’ match fitness against high-calibre opposition.
Attention will then shift back to Catalonia for the traditional Joan Gamper Trophy, scheduled for 19 August, with the opponent yet to be announced. This sequence of fixtures and training camps is designed to maximise match sharpness and tactical integration ahead of the season opener, while also allowing for the management to assess and cultivate depth across the squad. As Barcelona gears up for the 2026-27 campaign, the combination of early friendlies, international absences, and a strategic overseas tournament promises a comprehensive preparation period that aims to deliver a competitive edge as the new campaign approaches.