Newcastle United summer U-turn as 'lucrative' alternative explored

Newcastle United are exploring options regarding a summer pre-season tour.

A trip to the United States for a second successive summer was proposed with matches against Premier League sides on the East Coast previously under discussion. Newcastle travelled to Atlanta, New Jersey and Philadelphia last summer for the Premier League Summer Series match against Aston Villa, Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion.

But with the Premier League Summer Series not taking place this year, Newcastle have so far been unable to secure any suitable friendlies or financial packages, with alternatives being explored. As previously reported, a trip to Asia is a possibility due to the club’s focus on a commercially driven pre-season tour.

Friendly matches in Japan are understood to be under consideration as the club eyes a lucrative commercial package.

In the summer of 2022, Newcastle had to scrap plans to go to America and arrange an alternative trip to Austria. The pre-season tour proved to be a big success ahead of United’s fourth-place finish in the Premier League.

While Newcastle players and staff would undoubtedly welcome a return to Austria, commercial pressures see long-haul options preferred by the club’s hierarchy.

Newcastle will be travelling to Australia for a post-season friendly match against Tottenham Hotspur in Melbourne on May 22. They will then play an A-League All-Star XI on May 24.

The Magpies are also expected to have the opportunity to retain the Sela Cup at St James’ Park this summer after the success of last year’s inaugural competition. The two-day tournament is set to take place on August 10 and August 11 with the 2024-25 Premier League season kicking off on August 17.