DUNDEE, SCOTLAND – Dundee United have unveiled an intensive five-match pre-season schedule designed to prepare Jim Goodwin’s squad for a dual assault on the William Hill Premiership and the UEFA Europa Conference League. The plan includes a training camp in the Netherlands, culminating in a clash with Eredivisie opposition.
The Terrors will kick off their preparations on Saturday, 28th June, with a short trip to face Highland League runners-up Brechin City. The match at Glebe Park will carry extra significance as it marks the first game in charge for new Brechin manager and former United midfielder, Ray McKinnon.
A week later, on Saturday, 5th July, United will travel to Angus again for a fixture against newly-promoted Championship side Arbroath. The match at Gayfield will also serve as a testimonial for stalwart player-manager David Gold, who guided the club to the League One title last season.
The centrepiece of the pre-season calendar is a trip to the Netherlands for a training camp. This will conclude with a notable friendly against top-tier Dutch side PEC Zwolle on Friday, 11th July. The club has highlighted this fixture as ideal preparation for their upcoming “adventures in the UEFA Europa Conference League,” offering a taste of continental competition before their qualifying campaign begins.
Upon returning to Scotland, United face an all-Tayside encounter against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park on Tuesday, 15th July. The Perth side will be looking to rebuild after their relegation from the Premiership, a fate sealed in a season where they failed to take a single point from Dundee United across three league meetings.
Finally, the pre-season campaign will conclude at home on Saturday, 19th July, as fans return to Tannadice for the first time in over two months. The opposition will be Oldham Athletic, managed by former United boss Micky Mellon. The English side are fresh from a dramatic National League Play-Off Final victory that secured their return to the English Football League.
This demanding schedule, featuring a mix of local rivals, newly-promoted sides, and European opposition, signals a clear intent from Dundee United to hit the ground running for what promises to be a challenging and exciting 2025/26 campaign. The new season will be the first chance for recent signings, such as defender Iurie Iovu and forward Zac Sapsford, to integrate into the squad.
Dundee United’s pre-season in full
- June 19: Players report for pre-season.
- June 28, 2pm: Brechin City, Glebe Park.
- July 5, 2pm: Arbroath, Gayfield Park.
- July 7 – July 12: Training Camp in the Netherlands.
- July 11, 7pm local: PEC Zwolle, Sportpark Bovenmolen.
- July 15, 7.30pm: St Johnstone, McDiarmid Park.
- July 19, 2pm: Oldham Athletic, Tannadice Park.
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