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Sun 24 May

Everton to face Premier league rival at Murrayfield in August pre-season friendly

Shumail SajidShumail Sajid
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  • Everton set to play Newcastle United in pre-season friendly.
  • Everton finished on 49 points last season, the same as Newcastle United.
  • Murrayfield, Scotland’s home of rugby union, will be the venue.

Everton have announced a pre‑season friendly game against Newcastle United to be played at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh this August.

The match will take place just before the 2026-27 Premier League season starts on Saturday, 22 August and is part of Everton’s preparation for the next season.

It is set to be the first summer friendly between the two sides since the Barcelona Cup final in 1924, when the Toffees won.

Everton have a massive support in Scotland

Both clubs ended the 2025-26 Premier League campaign on 49 points. Newcastle finished 12th, just one place above Everton on goal difference. The fixture offers both teams a chance to build momentum ahead of the new season.

Everton manager David Moyes welcomed the opportunity. “A fixture like this, in one of the biggest stadiums in the country, will help us continue building towards the start of the campaign. Everton has always had a strong connection with Scotland, and we know how well our supporters travel, not just from Merseyside but from across the country.”

Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe added, “An exciting test against Premier League opposition at a historic venue like Murrayfield will play an important part in our pre-season preparations. I’m sure our fans will bring a special atmosphere to Edinburgh for a fantastic summer away day, giving the players a massive lift as we build towards the new campaign.”

A historic venue for a summer showdown

Murrayfield is Scotland’s largest stadium, primarily known as the home of Scottish rugby. Hosting a Premier League pre‑season friendly is a significant event. For Everton, it is also a game honouring the club’s strong Scottish connection. David Moyes himself is a proud Scot, and many Everton legends have come from north of the border.

The last time the two sides met in a summer friendly was the Barcelona Cup final in 1924, a trophy Everton won.

Both clubs expect strong travelling support. The match will serve as an important test for Moyes as he will be looking at the start of the Premier League season, aiming to do better.

Pre‑season fixtures are generally about fitness and finding rhythm, but a game against a Premier League rival will be quite a game for Everton’s Scottish support. Everton and Newcastle finished level on points last season. Both will want to start the new campaign strongly. This Murrayfield friendly will be the first step.

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Shumail Sajid is a dedicated and expert writer covering various teams, most recently, Everton, with a keen eye for team developments, match analysis, and the latest news. With three years of experience as a football writer, he provides interesting, insightful coverage that resonate with fans. Beyond writing, he is a passionate football follower, frequently attending matches and exploring football culture. Follow his work for in-depth yet fan-friendly analysis, and feel free to share your thoughts, even if you disagree! Connect with him on @shumail1434 on X

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