West Bromwich Albion have confirmed they will travel to Portugal for a pre-season training camp, with a friendly match scheduled that will be open to fans. The Championship club announced the trip on Tuesday, marking their second consecutive summer heading to the Algarve region.
Training Camp and Friendly Details
The Baggies will base themselves in the Algarve from July 8 to 15, working under head coach Carlos Corberan. During the stay, they will play a behind-closed-doors friendly against an unnamed opponent, with a second match set to be open to supporters. The club has yet to reveal the opponent or venue for the fan-friendly fixture.
According to West Brom's official website, the trip is designed to provide intense training in warm weather conditions, building on the squad's fitness and tactical cohesion ahead of the 2024-25 Championship campaign.
Previous Portugal Trip and Fan Access
Last pre-season, West Brom also travelled to Portugal, where they played a friendly against Portimonense that was open to the public. The club is keen to replicate that experience, allowing supporters to watch the team in action abroad. Ticket details for the fan-friendly match will be announced in due course.
Corberan said: "We are very pleased to confirm our pre-season plans in Portugal. It gives us the chance to work in excellent facilities and conditions, and having our fans there for one of the games is very important for the connection between the team and our supporters."
Pre-Season Schedule and Championship Build-Up
The Portugal camp is part of a broader pre-season programme that includes several friendlies in England. West Brom will also face EFL sides such as Peterborough United and Cheltenham Town, among others, as they prepare for the Championship opener in August.
The club finished 5th in the Championship last season, reaching the play-offs but losing in the semi-finals to Southampton. Corberan will be looking to build on that momentum with a strong pre-season.
Impact on Fans and Travel
The announcement has been welcomed by fans, many of whom are expected to travel to Portugal for the friendly. The club is working with travel partners to offer packages, though independent travel remains an option. The match open to fans is likely to take place at a stadium in the Algarve, with capacity and ticket prices yet to be confirmed.
West Brom's pre-season preparations are crucial as they aim to challenge for promotion again. The Portugal trip offers a chance for squad bonding and acclimatisation to different playing conditions.
