Newcastle United is set to face Scottish giants Celtic in a highly anticipated pre-season friendly on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at Parkhead, competing for the inaugural 'Adidas Trophy'. The announcement was made on Tuesday morning, May 6, 2025, and has generated excitement among fans and players alike.
Head coach Eddie Howe expressed his enthusiasm for the match, stating, "Travelling to Glasgow to face Celtic is a great opportunity to test ourselves as we gear up for Premier League and European football next season. We'll face a top team at a historic ground, with a big away crowd there to support us." Newcastle has been allocated 7,200 tickets for the fixture, with sales starting at 2 PM on the same day.
The Magpies last played Celtic in a friendly back in 2007, winning decisively 4-1 at St James' Park. Their last visit to Celtic Park was under the management of Sir Bobby Robson in 2004, making this upcoming match a significant event for both clubs. The partnership between Newcastle and Adidas, which began at the start of the 2024/25 season, has added an extra layer of excitement to this clash.
After the match in Glasgow, Newcastle will continue their pre-season preparations by participating in the Singapore Festival of Football, where they will face Arsenal on Sunday, July 27, 2025. Tickets for that match went on sale last week, with prices starting at $208 (£116.89) for seats in the away section.
Howe noted the importance of international fixtures, stating, "Having Singapore as part of our pre-season will provide a special experience for supporters in Asia, and we’re looking forward to seeing them and playing in front of them in July." The club is also expected to announce additional pre-season fixtures soon, with another Sela Cup match likely to take place at St James' Park.
As Newcastle prepares for these friendly matches, they still have critical Premier League fixtures ahead, including games against Chelsea, Arsenal, and Everton as they fight for one of the remaining Champions League spots this season. With only a few matches left, the pressure is on for the Magpies to secure their place among Europe’s elite.
Brendan Rodgers, the Celtic manager, also shared his thoughts on the upcoming friendly, remarking, "I’m really looking forward to this match in the summer and I think it will be a great occasion for both sets of players and supporters, as well as being really important in our build-up to next year." He acknowledged the quality of Newcastle as a top Premier League side and emphasized the importance of the match as part of Celtic’s pre-season preparations.
Ticket prices for Celtic fans have been set at £25 for adults, £17 for concessions, and £12 for children under 13. It is expected that similar pricing will apply to Newcastle fans attending the match.
Historically, Newcastle and Celtic have had a competitive relationship, with memorable encounters over the years. In recent seasons, Newcastle has improved significantly under Howe’s management, making this friendly a compelling matchup against the Scottish champions.
As the Magpies gear up for their journey to Glasgow, fans are eagerly anticipating what promises to be an exciting clash between two storied clubs. Both teams are aiming to use this match as a stepping stone towards a successful upcoming season, making it a must-watch event for supporters on both sides of the border.
With the excitement building around the Adidas Trophy, Newcastle United looks to make a statement against Celtic while preparing for their challenging Premier League campaign ahead. The club’s commitment to engaging with fans through international fixtures demonstrates their ambition to grow their global presence.
As the countdown to July 19 begins, Newcastle fans will be hoping their team can deliver a strong performance against Celtic, setting the tone for what they hope will be a successful season both domestically and in Europe.
