Portsmouth pre-season: Lucrative friendlies ‘forced to be scrapped’ in double blow
Portsmouth have begun making pre-season plans to ensure their squad is prepared for a new campaign in the Championship.
The club has already announced trips to Woking, Farnborough and Havant and Waterlooville for friendly matches as part of their pre-season schedule.
However, fans are likely to be disappointed by news of potential friendlies that will not take place this summer.
Local non-league sides will be unable to host Pompey pre-season fixture
Both Gosport Borough and Bognor Regis Town have announced that they’ll be unable to host a pre-season fixture against Portsmouth this summer.
Pompey usually travel to both of these teams every year for a friendly match, and these fixtures prove to be huge money-spinners for their opponents.
However, both Gosport and Bognor are having artificial pitches laid over the summer. These surfaces take several weeks to install, leaving the stadium in no fit state to host a pre-season friendly.
The news robs Gosport and Bognor fans of their annual opportunity to see their players pit their wits against established names like Colby Bishop, Matt Richie and Josh Murphy.
What’s more, it’s a missed financial opportunity. In an interview with The News (30 May), Gosport owner Iain McInnes said the fixture was worth around £20,000 to his club.
Pompey fans will be hoping to see new faces during pre-season schedule
Portsmouth haven’t announced any pre-season fixtures at Fratton Park yet.
John Mousinho and his squad will fly to Bratislava for an overseas training camp before travelling to Woking, Farnborough and Havant.
Their fixture at Havant will allow local fans to cast their eyes over the squad before the Championship season begins.
| Portsmouth confirmed pre-season fixtures 2025-26 | |
| Woking (A) | 15 July |
| Farnborough (A) | 16 July |
| Havant (A) | 29 July |
Traditionally, they host one friendly at Fratton Park on the weekend before the opening fixture of the season, although it hasn’t been confirmed whether that will happen this year.
Either way, Pompey supporters will hope that some fresh faces are involved in their pre-season fixtures.
Portsmouth are among the bookies’ favourites to struggle next season. It’s widely agreed that the club needs to be active in this summer’s transfer window if they are to build on this season’s 16th-place finish.
If they can get some business done early in the window, it will give the new signings more time to settle into the squad.
This will be far more important to the fans than where the team plays before the season begins.