Newcastle United in Austria: where do they play, when and against which opposition?

The Magpies pre-season schedule neared completion with the announcement of further friendly fixtures on Wednesday.
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It’s that time of year again as the new Premier League season draws near and Newcastle United supporters await news on when they will get their first opportunity to watch their side in action.

Preparations for what should be an exciting campaign are well underway after the Magpies confirmed Dutch defender Sven Botman will become their third signing of what has already been a productive summer transfer window.

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The signing of the highly-rated Lille centre-back came on the back of the completion of deals for Aston Villa left-back Matt Targett and Burnley and England goalkeeper Nick Pope.

A large proportion of Eddie Howe’s squad will return to training later this week as they kick off their preparations for the new season.

Part of those preparations will take the Magpies to Austria as Howe and his coaching staff oversee a training camp and two newly-announced pre-season fixtures.

Who will the Magpies face in their friendlies in Austria?

The opposition for the friendly double-header will be provided by two German clubs that have faced the Magpies in the past.

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First up will be a meeting with German third-tier side 1860 Munich, who United faced in their unsuccessful Intertoto Cup campaign ahead of the 2001/02 season.

Then a force in the Bundesliga, 1860 boasted the likes of Germany international Thomas Hassler and Norway star Erik Mykland in their squad as they prepared to face Sir Bobby Robson’s Magpies.

A Nolberto Solano brace and an Aaron Hughes goal gave United a 3-2 win in the first leg in the Olympic Stadium before they finished the job with a 3-1 win at St James Park thanks to goals from Gary Speed, Lomana Lua Lua and Solano.

1860 were relegated from the Bundesliga three years after their meeting with United and suffered a demotion to Germany’s regional leagues in 2017 after investor Hassan Ismaik was unwilling to pay fees to compete in the second tier.

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However, they are now competing in the 3. Liga after winning the Regionaliga Bayern in 2017 and ended last season in fourth place, earning qualification to compete in next season’s DFB-Pokal - the German version of the FA Cup.

United’s other opposition in Austria will come from the Bundesliga as they take on Mainz 05.

The Magpies last faced Die Nullfünfer during Rafa Benitez’s managerial reign as the German side came out on top with a 2-1 win in a pre-season fixture held at their Opel Arena.

Jesus Gamez got United back on level-terms midway through the second-half after German Under-21 international Levin Oztunali had put their hosts ahead in the early stages.

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But former Middlesbrough striker Viktor Fischer struck a late winner for a Mainz side containing future Magpies forward Yoshinori Muto.

Total spend was £13,386,434.29 – Yoshinori Muto was paid £938,674.29 to sit on the benchTotal spend was £13,386,434.29 – Yoshinori Muto was paid £938,674.29 to sit on the bench
Total spend was £13,386,434.29 – Yoshinori Muto was paid £938,674.29 to sit on the bench

Mainz ended last season in eighth place in the Bundesliga and missed out on qualification for the Europa Conference league, with FC Koln taking seventh spot to secure their place in Europe’s third cup competition.

Where and when will the games be held?

The fixture against 1860 Munich will take place on Friday 15th July at 6pm.

The 1,500 capacity Saalfelden Arena - home of Austrian regional league side FC Pinzgau Saalfelden - will host the fixture and has become a regular venue for pre-season games involving clubs around Europe.

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Liverpool have been visitors in the past and RB Salzburg and Ajax will also face off four days after United’s meeting with 1860.

The Magpies will take on Mainz at the Kufstein Arena, home of another regional league club FC Kufstein.

The venue for United’s second game of their trip to Austria is able to house 4,500 supporters.

That game will get underway at 5pm on Monday 18th July.

When will ticket information be confirmed?

At this point in time, United are yet to confirm when tickets for either friendly will go on sale.

However, in a statement released on the Magpies website, the club revealed: “Ticket details for both games will be confirmed very shortly.”