Portman Road Friendlies Ahead of Premier League Return
Tuesday, 19th May 2026 09:54

Town are planning at least one Portman Road friendly this summer, perhaps more, TWTD understands.

Having not staged any of their pre-season matches at their home stadium last summer, the Blues are in the process of arranging games ahead of their return to the Premier League in August.

A year ago, work on the pitch following the Fabio Wardley fight and Ed Sheeran concerts meant Portman Road was unavailable ahead of the season proper and Town played a ‘home’ friendly at Colchester against Charlton Athletic.

Prior to their 2024/25 Premier League campaign, the Blues hosted two friendlies at Portman Road, against Fortuna Düsseldorf and OGC Nice.

Meanwhile, we understand a friendly away against Oxford United, recently relegated to League One, is under discussion for early August.

Town will also have their usual overseas training camp with Spain set to be the venue this summer having been to Austria in recent years.

Photo: Matchday Images

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MattinLondon added 10:11 - May 19 Lazio?
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Edmundo added 11:04 - May 19 Fortuna would be good (,although they're now 3rd tier of Germany League ladder), hopefully a French club again (St Etienne?)
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IndependentlyBlue added 11:09 - May 19 Be nice to have a run out against à lower league side that could do with the exposure…Naaarwich anyone?
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Bazza8564 added 11:29 - May 19 German season starts a bit earlier than us usually so any German opposition will be further ahead in their match readiness. TBH im open minded about who, but I can't wait to get back into PR again, it seems like ages since May 3rd
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earlsgreenblue added 11:37 - May 19 How about the newly promoted Maritimo in Funchal Madeira & the other island team Nacional, charter a plane for visiting fans out of Stansted & I’ll do the meet & greet this end!
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PortmanTerrorist added 12:02 - May 19 Isn't a Como friendly part of the loan deal for Azon ?! lol Not that Italian Clubs always honour those agreements anyway as has been suggested already ! Am surprised we have not looked at Cambridge as a pre-season option; maybe revisit that now they are promoted again.
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TractorCam added 12:11 - May 19 Hopefully we actually announce any overseas friendly early this year, so appropriate plans can be made for us considering travelling.
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ringwoodblue added 12:12 - May 19 Oxford? Not very exciting opposition.
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NITFC added 15:19 - May 19 Ringwood. Agreed. Year after year I hope for Northampton or Mansfield ......a new ground for us fans ....
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Wooly74 added 18:24 - May 19 West Ham i reckon
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armchaircritic59 added 18:36 - May 19 Would be good to get a decent top league side from any of Spain, Germany or Italy. It would give us some understanding at least of where we stand quality and fitness wise, and of course would do likewise for the opposition. It mght only be a friendly, but let's at least have a meaningful one.
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