Well, here we are again! That familiar pre-season buzz is in the air as we gear up for the Premier League kick-off on August 15th. It’s a time of hope and preparation, but for us Palace fans, this summer feels a little different. We're still riding the incredible high of that historic FA Cup victory, yet there's a cloud of uncertainty hanging over us with the whole UEFA situation. It’s a real mix of emotions, but one thing is for sure: a packed pre-season schedule is just what we need to get focused.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Crystal Palace is coming off a historic FA Cup win, their first major domestic trophy in 120 years.
- ✓ The club faces a pre-season overshadowed by a UEFA decision demoting them from the Europa League to the Conference League.
- ✓ The pre-season kicks off with a behind-closed-doors match against Millwall on Saturday, July 12th.
- ✓ Key players like Eberechi Eze and captain Marc Guehi are attracting transfer interest from other top clubs.
- ✓ All pre-season fixtures, including clashes in Salzburg, will be streamed live and exclusively on Palace TV.
A Summer of Celebration and Complication
It’s hard to put into words the feeling from the end of May. We are still basking in the glory of our first-ever major domestic trophy! Beating Manchester City 1-0 at Wembley to lift the FA Cup was a moment for the ages, a culmination of 120 years of professional history. It was the kind of victory that makes you proud to be an Eagle, a memory that will stick with us forever.
But football has a funny way of keeping you on your toes, doesn't it? Just as we were dreaming of those big European nights, we were hit with some seriously disappointing news. UEFA made the decision to demote us from the Europa League to the Conference League. The reason? A breach of the governing body’s rules on multi-club ownership.
The whole situation is tied to our outgoing investor, John Textor, who also co-owns Lyon. The timing was particularly frustrating, coming just days after Lyon successfully appealed against their own relegation from Ligue 1. It's a complex mess, but the club isn't taking it lying down. It’s understood that Palace will lodge an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, so we’ll have to wait and see how that plays out.
The Road Ahead: A Packed Pre-Season Schedule
Despite the background noise, Oliver Glasner is determined to have a productive pre-season camp. The goal is clear: build on last season's 12th-placed finish in the Premier League and get the squad firing on all cylinders. The action gets underway this Saturday, and it's a schedule packed with some fascinating matchups.
First up is a clash with our fellow South Londoners, Millwall, on Saturday, July 12th. This one is a bit different as it will be played behind closed doors at the Crystal Palace Training Ground. For fans itching to see the team, don't worry—the only way to watch is live on Palace TV, which will be streaming every single pre-season game. It’s our first look at the squad for the 2025/26 season, so you won't want to miss it.
Full Fixture List:
- ✓ Bromley vs Crystal Palace: Tuesday, 22nd July at Hayes Lane (19:45 BST).
- ✓ Crawley Town vs Crystal Palace: Friday, 25th July at Broadfield Stadium (19:30 BST).
- ✓ Mainz vs Crystal Palace: Tuesday, 29th July at Hans-Ludwig-Stadion in Salzburg (13:00 BST).
- ✓ Augsburg vs Crystal Palace: Friday, 1st August at Hans-Ludwig-Stadion in Salzburg (15:00 BST).
After the local friendlies, the squad heads to Austria for a proper test against two Bundesliga sides, Mainz 05 and Augsburg. This trip to Salzburg will be a crucial part of the preparations, giving Glasner a chance to really drill the team against strong European opposition. It's great that fans from all over the world can follow every kick on Palace TV.
Team News & The Millwall Challenge
So, what can we expect from the first game against Millwall? The Lions are coming into this with their own ambitions. Under head coach Alex Neil, they're preparing for their ninth straight season in the Championship and are aiming for a real promotion push after narrowly missing the playoffs last year. They finished just two points off sixth place, a testament to the work Neil has done since taking over.
They’ve made some changes, adding forward Josh Coburn and keeper Max Crocombe, while experienced players like Shaun Hutchinson and George Saville have moved on. Our history with Millwall is extensive—a whopping 99 competitive games! The most recent was that 3-1 win for us at Selhurst Park in the fifth round of our FA Cup-winning run. Let's hope for a similar result to kick things off.
On the team news front for Palace, Oliver Glasner will likely want to give minutes to as many players as possible to build fitness. We might even see our new goalkeeper, Walter Benitez, make his debut. Another new face, left-back Borna Sosa, was just unveiled on Friday, so it's a toss-up whether he'll be involved so soon.
Defender Chris Richards is expected to get some extra time off after his Gold Cup duties with the USA, and Chadi Riad is unfortunately still out with a long-term knee injury. The big question mark hangs over Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi. With all the transfer speculation, their involvement remains to be seen, but we're all hoping they'll feature. We can also expect to see familiar faces like Jean-Philippe Mateta, Adam Wharton, and perhaps even Romain Esse, who we signed from Millwall back in January.
Conclusion
What a summer to be a Palace fan. We've experienced the absolute peak with that unforgettable FA Cup win, alongside the frustrating low of the UEFA demotion. This pre-season feels more important than ever, serving as a chance for Oliver Glasner to steady the ship, integrate new players, and build momentum amidst the off-field distractions.
From the opening whistle against Millwall to the final match in Austria, every game is a step towards being ready for the Premier League campaign. The focus now is on the football, on improving on that 12th-place finish, and on seeing how this exciting squad shapes up. It's time to get behind the lads and look forward to the action.
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