WITH Middlesbrough’s season now over, thoughts are turning to the summer and the start of the club’s pre-season schedule.
Who are Boro playing this summer? Where are the games taking place? And how can supporters get tickets for the games?
Friday, July 14
Hartlepool United vs Middlesbrough (7pm)
Middlesbrough will kick off their pre-season programme with a short trip to the Suit Direct Stadium to take on Hartlepool United.
The Friday-night fixture forms part of a weekend double-header that also features a game against York City, and that will see Michael Carrick split his first-team squad between the two games.
Pools are preparing for life in the National League following their relegation from League Two last season, with Boro’s most recent visit to the Suit Direct Stadium having resulted in a 4-0 win in a pre-season game in 2019.
Boro have received an allocation of 1,775 terrace tickets for the game, and they are available now from the club's official website priced at £12 for adults and £7 for concessions.
Saturday, July 15
York City vs Middlesbrough (1pm)
Boro’s second pre-season game takes them to LNER Community Stadium to take on York City.
The Saturday-afternoon fixture forms part of a weekend double-header that also features a Friday-night game against Hartlepool, and that will see Michael Carrick split his first-team squad between the two games.
York successfully solidified their position in the National League last season following promotion from National League North in the previous campaign, with Boro’s most recent visit to the LNER Community Stadium having resulted in a 3-2 win in a pre-season friendly last July.
Tickets are on sale now, and are available from York's official website, by calling 01904 624447 or in person from the York City ticket office. Boro fans are being housed in the West Stand at the LNER Stadium (Blocks WA to WI). Tickets are priced £12 for adults, £7 for Over-60s and £5 for students and those aged 8-18. Anyone aged seven or under will be admitted free.
Wednesday, July 19
Rotherham United vs Middlesbrough (7pm)
Boro's third pre-season game will see them take on Rotherham United at the Millers' New York Stadium.
The game is a rare example of two teams from the same division playing against each other in pre-season, with Rotherham having narrowly avoided relegation to remain in the Championship last season.
Boro visited the New York Stadium as recently as late April, when a Hakeem Odofin goal condemned the Teessiders to a 1-0 defeat in a game that saw Anfernee Dijksteel handed a controversial red card.
Ticket prices and details for the game will be released in due course.
Saturday, July 22
Middlesbrough vs Real Betis (Chesterfield, 2pm)
Middlesbrough will take on Spanish La Liga side Real Betis on the afternoon of Saturday, July 22.
The game will be staged at Chesterfield's SMH Group Stadium as the Betis squad are basing themselves at St George's Park, near Burton, during their time in England.
Real Betis, managed by former Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini, finished sixth in the Spanish top-flight last season.
Tickets for the game are available to purchase from Chesterfield's official website now, with Boro supporters instructed to buy tickets in sections C5, C6 and W7.
Adult tickets are priced £12 with concessions available at £6.
Wednesday, July 26
Bradford City vs Middlesbrough - 7.30pm
Boro head for Valley Parade to play Mark Hughes' Bradford, who suffered play-off heartbreak when, like Michael Carrick's side, they were beaten at the semi-final stage.
The Bantams have a number of familiar faces in their ranks including Richie Smallwood, Brad Halliday, Harry Chapman and Sam Stubbs.
Tickets for the game are on sale now via Bradford City's official website. Tickets are priced £10 for adults, £8 for Over-65s and those aged 17-23, £5 for those aged 12-16 and £2 for Under-12s.
Saturday, July 29
Middlesbrough vs Auxerre - 3pm
Boro's pre-season will conclude against AJ Auxerre at the Riverside, a week before the Championship campaign gets underway.
Christophe Pélissier's Auxerre suffered relegation from the French top flight in agonising fashion on the final day in 2022/23.
Boro have played French sides Marseille and Saint-Etienne in recent years.
Tickets for the game are on sale now via tickets.mfc.co.uk or by calling 01642 929421. Seats will initially only be sold in the West Stand, with further areas opening subject to demand. Tickets are priced £10 for adults and £5 for Over-65s and Under-18s.
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