Celtic's pre-season schedule is starting to take shape. On Wednesday morning, the club announced two more fixtures for supporters to look forward to in July. First, the Hoops will make the short journey across the Irish Sea to take on Shelbourne at Tolka Park. A week later, the Bhoys will be in Southern Portugal for a meeting with Sporting CP at Estádio Algarve.
This comes after the club also confirmed that AC Milan will visit Parkhead for a glamour pre-season fixture at the end of July, the week before the new Premiership season commences.
Celtic's confirmed pre-season fixtures
- Tuesday 7 July: Kick off 6pm. Shelbourne - Tolka Park, Dublin.
- Tuesday 14 July: Kick off 7:30pm. Sporting CP - Estádio Algarve, Faro/Loulé.
- Saturday 25 July. Kick off 3pm. AC Milan - Parkhead, Glasgow.
Last season, when Brendan Rodgers was still in charge, the Celts also visited Ireland and Portugal, as well as competing in the Como Cup. They played seven pre-season matches in 2025, so more will surely be added to this summer's schedule, albeit pre-season will likely be truncated following the expanded World Cup. There are eight Celtic player competing at the tournament, the most since France '98.
Last July, the Hoops faced Cork City at Páirc Uà Chaoimh, winning 2-1 thanks to a late goal by Colby Donovan. Having also faced Sligo Rovers and Wolverhampton Wanderers in Dublin, this will be Celtic's fourth successive pre-season visit to Ireland, where they obviously have a huge fanbase.
Meantime, a Reo Hatate penalty followed by a strike from Luke McCowan saw them beat fellow-green-and-white hooped side Sporting 2-0 in the Algarve last July. Martin O'Neill will be looking for a repeat when his side return to Estádio Algarve. By virtue of finishing second in the Primeira Liga, Rui Borges' side have already booked their spot in next season's Champions League league phase, with Celtic one two-legged tie away from joining them.
So, aside from pre-season games, what other dates should Celts look out for throughout June, July and August?
Celtic's key dates for the summer
- Thursday 18 June - noon: SPFL fixture release date.
- Sunday 26 July - around 5:15pm: Scottish League Cup second round draw.
- Saturday 1 August - Scottish Premiership opening day.
- Monday 3 August - 11am: UEFA Champions League play-off round draw.
- Saturday 15 August - Scottish League Cup second round matches to be played.
- Tue 18/Wed 19 August - 8pm: UEFA Champions League play-off first leg.
- Tue 25/Wed 26 August - 8pm: UEFA Champions League play-off second leg.
- Thursday 27 August - 5pm: UEFA Champions League league phase draw.
- Tuesday 1 September - 11pm. Scottish transfer window closes.
Following last season's abysmal defeat to Kairat in the Champions League play-off round, supporters will be demanding the club get their transfer business done expediently and early. There isn't much chance of that though, is there? On the pitch, come 7 July, fans will have a choice of viewing between a World Cup last 16 tie at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and a Celtic pre-season friendly against a League of Ireland side. The strength of the side O'Neill is able to field against Shels will be interesting.
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