Tottenham Hotspur

It’s been a positive pre-season for Jamie Carr’s side which has included home victories over Watford and Wolverhampton Wanderers, while this year’s training camp in Cork, Ireland saw a particularly young team narrowly lose out to Waterford.

With a number of second-year scholars having played and trained with the Under-21s over the last few weeks – Tyler Tingey also getting a golden opportunity to travel and play with the first team on this summer’s tour of New Zealand and Australia – Jamie has been working with a mixture of our new first-year scholars alongside a handful of second-years and some Under-16s since the players returned from their summer break.

He will now pick his first competitive starting XI of the new term as we prepare to take on Reading at Hotspur Way in a rematch of the opening game of last season in the Under-18 Premier League, which ended 2-2.

As has been the case in recent years, supporters will be able to watch Saturday’s game live on SPURSPLAY – coverage will go on air just before kick-off at 11am UK. Live text updates will also be available via our Match Centre here on the website and app.

SPURSPLAY - What’s included and how to subscribe

From this season, a SPURSPLAY subscription is included as a new benefit for One Hotspur+ Members.

As part of the annual membership, you will have access to SPURSPLAY (worth £45) plus many other benefits, including…

A £20 Spurs Retail Voucher

£15 Stadium Attraction Voucher

Unlimited access to The Athletic (worth £25)

Digital Matchday programmes for home matches

Men's ticket on sale access

Additional 24-hour Men's ticket access window

Ticket Exchange and Ticket Transfer access

Season Ticket Waiting List Position

Also a benefit for Season Ticket Holders, existing One Hotspur+ Members and Season Ticket Holders for 2026/27 have received a code to use in the sign up process for SPURSPLAY.

Alternatively, for an annual subscription of £45 – reduced to £35 for One Hotspur Members - you can also sign up to SPURSPLAY.

Your subscription will include access to watch all of our Men's first team pre-season matches live* plus much more, including:

Live home Under-18s and Under-21s matches plus select Under-21s away games.

Selected live Women’s first team matches.

An enhanced matchday offering including full-match replays of every men's first team fixture.

Hundreds of hours of archive footage celebrating the most exciting moments and legendary players in the Club’s history.

*Subject to availability in your region

Subscribing

To access SPURSPLAY, you will first need to login in to your Club account. if you haven't got an account yet, you will need to sign up first.

You will then need to go through the subscription process. If you're a Season Ticket Holder, One Hotspur+ Member or One Hotspur Member, you can use your exclusive code at the checkout to get the service for free (One Hotspur + and Season Ticket Holders) or at a discounted rate (One Hotspur Members).

If you already have an active subscription to SPURSPLAY and are a Season Ticket Holder, One Hotspur+ Member or One Hotspur Member, the code will be automatically applied at the checkout.

Then, once you’re logged in and subscribed, you’re good to go! Sit back and enjoy hours of content either via tottenhamhotspur.com/spursplay or the Spurs Official app - download the latest version from your app store.

The defender, who has amassed over 100 caps for his nation - and still counting - has been appointed as one of eight new representatives on the council as the FAW continues working on its Together Stronger for the Future initiative.

As a current player, with more than a decade worth of games under his belt for the Red Dragons and leader within the squad, Ben has been brought aboard the council to provide his expert knowledge and to utilise his experience as the Wales FA shape their work to continually improve the game for future generations.

A loyal servant for both us and Wales over the years, the defender is now entering his 13th season in Lilywhite.

Congratulations on the appointment, Ben.

So, he has a double interest in Saturday's pre-season match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (3pm UK)!

What can you tell us about Hoffenheim?'

Seb: "As recently as the turn of the century, they were actually playing amateur football, all the way down in the fifth tier of German football. Their subsequent rise through the divisions was dramatic — they reached the Bundesliga within eight years — but has always been controversial in German football, having depended upon the wealth of long-term benefactor Dietmar Hopp, a software billionaire born in the region. For a long time, Hopp’s historic support of the club granted them an exemption from the 50+1 rule, which mandates that majority control of German clubs remain with supporters. Hoffenheim do conform to the rule in the present day, but their exemption enabled their rocket-powered ascent and won them few neutral admirers. English fans will know some of the names attached to that modern era. Former German national team head coach Julian Nagelsmann got his first senior job at Hoffenheim and was head coach between 2016 and 2019. Going back further, Ralf Rangnick took charge of the club in 2006, leading them to back-to-back promotions in his first two seasons, taking them from the third tier to the Bundesliga for the first time in their history. Actually, if you dig all the way back to 2000 and the club’s days in the Oberliga Baden-Württemberg, there’s a very famous name: Hansi Flick. The current Barcelona head coach was 35-years-old when he caught a break with Hoffenheim, ultimately staying for five years."

We played Hoffenheim in MD7 on our way to winning the UEFA Europa League in 2024/25 - they were 15th in the Bundesliga that season - and fifth last season! How did that happen?

Seb: "Nobody really saw it coming. After the 2024/25 season, it was still in doubt whether head coach Christian Ilzer would even keep his job. Ultimately, he did and off the back of a summer during which the club recruited extremely well, they then came very close to qualifying for the Champions League. It was remarkable. The signings were key. Former West Ham full-back Vladimir Coufal has proven a great success. Wouter Burger, previously an unheralded midfielder with Stoke City, was arguably the find of that transfer window. And Albian Hajdari, a bargain from Lugano in August 2025, has become one of the more coveted centre-backs in the Bundesliga. Kosovan midfielder Leon Avdullahu was another bargain. In addition to the form of incumbent players, including winger Bazoumana Toure, who has since joined Newcastle, and veteran forward Andrej Kramaric, formerly of Leicester City, it helped provide the basis for the club’s highest finish in eight years."

What can you tell us about Christian Ilzer?

Seb: "Now 48, the Austrian joined from Sturm Graz in November 2024. Contextually, it was a difficult time. Pellegrino Matarazzo had just been sacked as head coach and Hoffenheim were in the midst of executive restructuring. Andreas Schicker, the sporting director, had also arrived from Sturm Graz just a few weeks before, so the whole club was tilting on its axis and the resulting instability lasted the rest of the season. Ilzer struggled to gain command of the squad he inherited or give his new team any distinct personality. They finished three points above the relegation playoff in 15th place and, truthfully, were fortunate that the three sides beneath them were so weak - but what a difference in the second year. Hoffenheim emerged for 2025/26 as perhaps the best-conditioned team in the league, capable of out-running and out-working almost any domestic opponent. Their 4-2-3-1 formation was also equipped with the technical quality, through Toure, but also gifted playmaker-forward Fisnik Asllani, to be a challenge in all sorts of ways. They may have run out of steam before the end of the season, losing six of their final 10 games, but it was still a tremendous body of work from Ilzer."

Who should we look out for?

Seb: "Hoffenheim have had another really interesting summer. Rather than the bargain hunting of a year ago, they have made a succession of statement additions. Wide forward Patrick Wimmer has been plundered from relegated Wolfsburg. He’ll bring established Bundesliga quality. Winger Adam Daghim is one of quickest players in Germany. In Belgian midfielder Nathan De Cat and Dutch talent Mats Rots, they have also — arguably — signed players from above their station. In addition, while Asllani very nearly moved to RB Leipzig a week ago, his transfer collapsed and he remains part of the most talented squad Hoffenheim have had for a long, long time."

We’ll then face our Bundesliga visitors once again in a training ground friendly at Hotspur Way on Sunday lunchtime.

Here’s all you need to know...

What time do the matches start?

Saturday’s game takes place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and is open for supporters to attend – we’ll begin at 3pm UK time.

The second match, on Sunday, will be held behind closed doors at Hotspur Way, with kick-off at 12noon.

How can I watch the games?

Both Saturday and Sunday’s matches against Hoffenheim will be shown live on SPURSPLAY, subject to availability in your region*. Find out more about SPURSPLAY and how you can access the service here.

As usual, we will also bring supporters live text updates via our Match Centre on both Saturday and Sunday here on our official app and website.

*SPURSPLAY live stream not available in Austria, Germany or Switzerland.

What is the team news?

A number of our summer signings could feature this weekend.

Roberto De Zerbi is expected to divide up match minutes across both games, with plenty of players getting important game exposure with the new Premier League season fast approaching.

Pedro Porro is unlikely to be involved in either game having only just returned to the club following his successful summer at the World Cup with Spain, although a special presentation to him will be made by our former Spain international striker Fernando Llorente at Saturday’s match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Which kit will the team be wearing?

For both matches this weekend, we’ll be wearing our 2026/27 home kit, featuring Lilywhite shirts, navy blue shorts and white socks.

How can I get the matchday programme?

The first issue of our new-look official matchday programme for the 2026/27 season will be on sale at Saturday’s game. With a host of new features inside, plus a main feature interview with Micky van de Ven, be sure to pick up your copy from various points around the stadium on Saturday, or order online here for delivery direct to your door.

What will the weather be like?

Saturday is expected to be another bright, sunny day in north London, although temperatures will be slightly lower than they have been in recent days – it’s forecast to be around 25 degrees.

Sunday will bring similar conditions, with temperatures at around 23 degrees.

How can I get to the stadium for Saturday’s game?

Those supporters coming to watch Saturday’s match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium should take note of our travel advice bulletin here, to help you plan your journey.

What else is happening at the stadium on Saturday?

It all started with a 1-1 draw against Inter back in August, 2019 and the first nine friendlies have had a bit of everything - penalty shoot-outs, goals, no fans due to COVID restrictions up to 61,000 for the last pre-season action in N17 against Bayern Munich for the Visit Malta Cup in 2024.

Spurs 1-1 Inter

(Inter won 4-3 on penalties)

Our first pre-season match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ended with another first - a penalty shoot-out. Lucas Moura opened the scoring against the Italians after just three minutes of this International Champions Cup (ICC) match encounter, levelled by Stefano Sensi on 36 minutes. Heung-Min Son, Georges-Kevin Nkoudou and Toby Alderweireld scored in the shoot-out, but Christian Eriksen and Oliver Skipp were denied by Samir Handanovic as Inter took it 4-3.

Spurs 1-2 Norwich City

Behind-closed-doors

With the country in lockdown during COVID, football returned in June, 2020 to complete the disrupted 2019/20 campaign. We kicked-off with what was essentially a training friendly against Norwich City on 12 June, ahead of our Premier League return against Manchester United on 19 June - the first of nine matches to complete the season. We played four quarters of 30 minutes against the Canaries, who came out on top 2-1 thanks to late goals from Josip Drmic and Mario Vrancic, cancelling out Erik Lamela's diving header.

Spurs 3-0 Ipswich Town

Behind-closed-doors

The delayed 2020/21 campaign kicked-off on 13 September. With no pre-season tours possible due to COVID, we arranged three behind-closed-doors friendlies at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to prepare for our Premier League opener at home against Everton. First up, Ipswich Town and a comfortable win thanks to an early strike from Ryan Sessegnon and double from Heung-Min Son. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Joe Hart made their first appearances.

Spurs 4-1 Reading

Behind-closed-doors

Another early goal, this time an own goal, laid the foundations for another comfortable win. Fine finishes from Dele and Heung-Min Son extended the lead to 3-0 by half-time before Erik Lamela's free-kick made it four seven minutes into the second half. George Puscas netted a late consolation for Reading.

Spurs 1-0 Birmingham City

Behind-closed-doors

Steven Bergwijn's late strike made it three out of three in our pre-season preparations for the 2020/21 campaign. The Dutch winger drilled home from the edge of the box in the 89th minute after what had been a tough examination against City.

Spurs 1-0 Arsenal

A match noted for a show of unity as much as the result as Arsenal's Bukayo Saka received a warm round of applause from our supporters as he came off the bench for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - a show of solidarity against the racism and discrimination the winger had suffered after the delayed Euro 2020, played in the summer of 2021. Heung-Min Son won this NLD on 79 minutes, receiving Gio Lo Celso's pass before firing home from 10 yards.

Spurs 1-1 OGC Nice

The 2022 World Cup split the 2022/23 in half with the tournament from 20 November-18 December - won by Cuti Romero and Argentina. The Premier League resumed on Boxing Day - we travelled to Brentford - and that meant a couple of 'pre-season' preparation matches. We beat Motherwell 4-0 in a training ground friendly before facing Ligue 1 side OGC Nice in our first match at the stadium in six weeks. Five returning World Cup players featured as Matt Doherty put us ahead from Deki Kulusevski's pass on 20 minutes, only for Nice to reply via Antoine Mendy two minutes into the second half.

Spurs 5-1 Shakhtar Donetsk

Ange Postecoglou's first home game in charge also marked an end of an era - it turned out to be Harry Kane's final game in a Spurs shirt - 280 goals and 435 appearances after his debut against Hearts in 2011. Of course, he'd go out in typical Kane style with four goals before his move to Bayern Munich. Dane Scarlett also got in on the act, with Kevin Kelsy replying in a match played as a dedication to the people of Ukraine, with the Club raising funds for Shakhtar’s charitable foundation, Shakhtar Social.

Spurs 2-3 Bayern Munich

A year later and Harry was back, this time as a Bayern Munich player in the second of back-to-back pre-season matches against the Bundesliga giants. In fact, Harry was joined by Eric Dier - 10 years a Spur - in the Bayern line up and their significant contributions to the Club were recognised before the game as they received special gifts from Club Ambassador Ledley King. On the pitch, Deki Kulusevski struck inside a minute but goals from Dayot Upamecano, Serge Gnabry and Thomas Muller put the Germans 3-1 up before Deki's second goal on the hour as it stayed 3-2 in front of 61,084 - our highest attendance for a pre-season match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Arriving from SK Brann in June, reuniting with good friend Signe Gaupset and Head Coach Martin Ho, it has been a whirlwind few weeks for the Norway international and a hugely beneficial time to connect with her new team-mates.

Joining us from the very start of pre-season, the 23-year-old has had the last week to really get to know the squad and coaching staff as part of our performance camp in southern Spain.

Alongside earning her first minutes across our two friendlies against Granada and Real Madrid, Selma has spent the downtime getting to know everyone around – and she admits these 12 days have come at the perfect time for her.

Taking a seat in our new temporary base, with temperatures regularly in the mid-30s, the goalkeeper told us: “I don't think this could have been any better timing for me, honestly. I got in, been training a couple of weeks [in England], got to know how stuff works and although I don't have everything sorted when it comes to outside of football stuff, like apartments and everything like that, but I met the girls and you get to know them a little bit.

“Then, obviously this [performance camp] comes and then your kind of forced to get to know people in a different way and on a deeper level as you're on top of each other all the time. It's a really, really great group and it’s been very easy to come into.”

Although the training sessions will be the main focal point of the performance camp, Martin also mentioned earlier in the week how he has seen the value in our players connecting throughout the day away from the pitch.

“This is a very chatty group, actually,” she explained. “In just one of the first days when we got down here, we just sat outside, just talked and asked questions, and people are interested in getting to know about each other's stories and girly stuff.”

“But we do a lot of games like Partners, we have played that a lot, but I've also tried a couple of new games here that are very, very funny. It has made me laugh so much. Plus, everybody loves a coffee. We make each other a coffee and chat. A little bit of everything, honestly.”

The countdown is now on for the start of the 2026/27 Women’s Super League campaign – at home to West Ham United on 6 September – and Selma spoke about her excitement to get started.

“I'm so excited,” she beamed with a smile, looking ahead to her first competitive game.

“I'm still like a child, I just can't wait. I understand the pre-season stuff and all of that, but you kind of just want to play the games. I don't know, there's nothing that I love more than playing games. The atmosphere, I wanted to see the fans, I wanted to get into that day-to-day life during the season.”

Watch | Behind the scenes in Spain

SPURSPLAY

Courtesy of our partner bp, we’re delighted to announce subsidised coach travel will be made available for selected fixtures this season as part of their Away Fan Travel Fund initiative. There are a limited number of tickets available on a first-come-first-served basis, so we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.

Please note that all seats/coach services are strictly subject to availability. Supporters must be in possession of a valid match ticket to use the service.

SPURSPLAY

Pedro became the third Spur to lift the coveted trophy following Hugo Lloris (2018) and Cuti Romero (2022) when Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in the final in New York in July.

The flying full-back played a key role in Spain's success, starting every game of the tournament and scoring in the semi-final victory over France.

And there's another treat for fans - our former striker and Spain international Fernando Llorente will make a special presentation on behalf of the club to Pedro ahead of the game.

Pedro's presentation joins an impressive cast as we celebrate Tottenham on Saturday - now including appearances from Xavi Simons and Gary Mabbutt at half-time.

Currently recovering from a serious knee injury, Xavi will join our legendary former skipper pitchside at half-time, where they will be interviewed by presenter, Paul Coyte. Mabbsy will take the opportunity to thank fans for their support following his recent accident in South Africa.

Fans attending our first home match since May will also be treated to an exclusive performance by up-and-coming Tottenham artist Nippa prior to kick-off.

The lifelong Spurs fan will perform Homegrown – a track which expresses the resilience, creativity and ambition of N17, and has become the soundtrack to our new era built on reconnection with our fans, the local community and cultural heritage.

The live performance will take place on the pitch at approximately 2.45pm, following the player warm-ups and before the teams walk out for the match. We encourage match-going fans to be in their seats by this time to enjoy the performance and avoid impacting others’ experience of the show.

Before all of that, don't miss a musical performance from Pan Nation Steel Orchestra - a Tottenham-based group that has been in existence for nearly 20 years, providing a safe space for people of all backgrounds to learn and grow together via steel pan music – in our Fan Zone on Park Lane Square.

Meanwhile, our former goalkeeper and Tottenham resident Alfie Whiteman is holding a meet and greet from 12-1.30pm at the Tottenham Experience to mark the reopening of his first photography exhibition, A Loan, at OOF gallery.