FC Barcelona will play a pre-season friendly against Birmingham City in July 2026, according to reports from the BBC. The match will form part of Barcelona’s two-week training camp at St George’s Park, the English Football Association’s national football centre, beginning on July 27th. The exact date of the fixture between the Spanish giants and the Championship side is yet to be confirmed.
This pre-season trip to England is part of a wider schedule of friendly matches for Barcelona as they prepare for the 2026-27 season. Following their time at St George’s Park, the Catalan club will travel to Nairobi, Kenya, and Morocco for further friendly encounters. The opponents for these African fixtures have not yet been announced.
Birmingham City currently compete in the English Championship, the second tier of English football. They finished 17th in the 2023-24 season, securing their Championship status. Barcelona, meanwhile, finished the recent La Liga season as runners-up to Real Madrid.
This match provides Barcelona with an opportunity to test their squad against Championship opposition and build fitness ahead of the new campaign. For Birmingham City, the game represents a significant occasion, offering a chance to compete against one of Europe’s most prominent clubs. The fixture will likely generate considerable interest and revenue for Birmingham City, and provide valuable experience for their players. This match will allow Xavi Hernandez to assess his squad and experiment with tactics before the competitive season begins.
