Newcastle United pre-season: Opposition, fixture dates and ticket information

Newcastle United’s players and coaching staff are currently enjoyed a well-earned break after the Magpies embarked on a truly memorable season that ended with a first major cup final appearance since 1999 and a return to the Champions League after an absence of 20 years.

All focus is currently on United’s attempts to strengthen their squad for what will be a hectic schedule as they prepare to take on European football’s elite, as well as looking to make progress in the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Premier League. The summer transfer window will dominate the headlines but there will be one eye on how the Magpies pre-season schedule will take shape.

NewcastleWorld takes a look at what we know so far and what could also be announced over the coming days and weeks.

Which fixtures have been confirmed so far?

Saturday 15th July: Gateshead (a) 12.30pm

The Magpies will kick off their preparations for the new season with a short trip across the Tyne to face National League neighbours Gateshead.

The two sides actually met last season in a behind closed doors friendly as United claimed a 5-1 win thanks to a Miguel Almiron brace and goals from Matt Ritchie, Joelinton and Sean Longstaff.

Former Magpies centre-back Mike Williamson is about to enter his fourth season as Gateshead’s player-manager and there are a number of other familiar faces at the International Stadium. Former United keeper Rob Elliot is the club’s technical director and the likes of Adam Campbell, Louis Storey, Grey Olley and Tom Allan all spend time at Newcastle earlier in their careers.

This game is now sold out.

Tuesday 18th July: Glasgow Rangers (a) 7.45pm

The Magpies will travel north of the border as they continue their pre-season schedule at Ibrox.

The game will be held as a testimonial for Light Blues goalkeeper Allan McGregor, who has made 488 appearances over two spells with the club. The friendly also represents the Magpies first visit to Ibrox since a 1-1 draw in a pre-season friendly in August 2013 as a late Shola Ameobi goal cancelled out an early penalty from Lee McCulloch.

Ticket information can be found via the club website here.

Sunday 23rd July: Aston Villa (n) 7pm local time, 12am BST

The Magpies will head to the United States following their friendly against Rangers as they take part in the Premier League Summer Series. The first of a trio of fixtures against league rivals comes at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia as Eddie Howe’s men take on Aston Villa.

Ticket information can be found via TicketMaster here.

Wednesday 26th July: Chelsea (n) 8.15pm local time, 12.15am BST

The Magpies second fixture in the States comes three days after their Villa meeting as they face a Chelsea side that will be under the watch of recently appointed manager Mauricio Pochettino. The game against the Blues will see United star Miguel Almiron and chief executive officer Darren Eales return to their former home as the fixture takes place at Atlanta United’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Ticket information can be found via TicketMaster here.

Friday 28th July: Brighton and Hove Albion (n) 7.30pm local time, 12.30am BST

United will round off their Stateside fixtures when they head to New Jersey to face Brighton at the Red Bull Arena.

Both sides will be preparing for a hectic season after surpassing all expectations last season to secure a place in European competition. A dramatic 4-1 home win against the Seagulls took the Magpies to the brink of securing a top four place and a spot in next season’s Champions League last month.

Ticket information can be found via TicketMaster here.

What else can we expect from the Magpies pre-season schedule?

The notable absence in the current pre-season schedule is a game at St James Park. Looking back at last season’s fixtures, United faced two games in the space of 24 hours on their home patch as they secured wins against Serie A club Atalanta and La Liga side Athletic Bilbao in quick succession.

Although it would be too much to speculate Howe could test his players with a similar scenario this season, the absence of any confirmed fixture for the weekend of Saturday 5th August - the final weekend before the return of the Premier League - does stand out as the list currently stands.