Key dates for Hibs fans as Euro draw, SPFL fixture drop, pre-season games loom large on busy summer calendar
Crammed June and July ahead as Easter Road squad report back for new campaign
The World Cup hasn’t kicked off yet. But Hibs fans will already have one eye on the new domestic AND European campaigns.
And some of the big dates on the calendar are already creeping up on supporters, as they brace themselves to receive vital information – and get their first indications of how next season is going to shape up. After a disappointing end to season 2025-26, David Gray’s men finishing fifth and sneaking into the UEFA Conference League via the side door thanks to Celtic’s Scottish Cup victory, punters need something to look forward to.
Here are some dates for the diary, then, as the new footballing year starts to take shape. Including two very big days in the middle of next week.
Transfer green light
Monday is officially the first day of the summer transfer window in Scotland, although some clubs have already done some deals. Hibs haven’t been particularly quick off the mark in recent windows, so fans probably won’t expect to see a flurry of signings on day one.
Euro destiny revealed
The draw for the second qualifying round of the Europa Conference League is next Wednesday, June 17. Amazing how quickly it comes around, isn’t it?
The Champions League and Europa League second qualifying round draws are taking place on the same day. And you know how UEFA love to drag these things out.
Probably best if you don’t tune in for the whole thing, then. We’ll let you know who Hibs draw. For the sake of practicality and flight booking, you’d want the home leg first and no either/or scenario involving teams meeting in the first qualifying round.
Regardless, Hibs will have ambitions to go at least as far as they did last season. And expect to be deeply invested in the third qualifying round draw on July 20.
We’re playing who??
The Scottish Premiership fixture list is scheduled to drop next Thursday, around lunchtime. Meaning the first complaints will be piling up by early afternoon. And full-blown conspiracy theories will have taken flight by tea-time.
In all seriousness, there is always huge interest in fixture drop day. Check the derby dates. Have a quick shifty at the festive programme. And start planning.
And they’re back …
The first team squad, minus Scotland World Cup warrior Grant Hanley, report back for pre-season training at East Mains on Monday, June 22. For those not involved in any of the many summer internationals, the entire close season will have lasted a little over five weeks.
The first day or two will involve physical testing. Which players all love, obviously.
Dublin bound
Hibs head to Ireland for their pre-season training camp on Sunday, June 28. They’ll be based just outside Dublin until returning home on Sunday, July 5.
The key date for supporters is a friendly against Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium on Tuesday, June 30, with an 8 pm kick-off. Should be some craic.
Key dates at a glance
| Wednesday, June 17 | UEFA Conference League second qualifying round draw |
| Thursday, June 18 | Scottish Premiership fixtures released |
| Monday, June 22 | Players report back for pre-season training |
| Sunday, June 28 | Hibs depart for Dublin training camp |
| Tuesday, June 30 | Shamrock Rovers v Hibs, Tallaght Stadium, 8 pm |
| Saturday, July 11 | Porto v Hibs (closed doors) |
| Saturday, July 18 | Hibs v Brondby, 1 pm |
| Monday, July 20 | Europa Conference League third qualifying round draw |
| Thursday, July 23 | Europa Conference League second qualifying round, first leg |
| Thursday, July 30 | Europa Conference League second qualifying round, second leg |
| August 1/2 | Scottish Premiership kick-off |
Gray will also probably put his men through a closed-doors encounter with local opposition later in the week. And The Evening News will be there to report on everything that happens.
Euro friendlies
Hibs have added a long weekend training camp in Portugal from July 11, including a closed-doors friendly against Porto. Gray has taken the fixture with a view to getting his team into a good rhythm of training followed by games.
Easter Road will host its first game of the new footballing year the following weekend, meanwhile, with former European opponents Brondby the visitors on Saturday, July 18.
Proper football
Hibs kick off their competitive season with a Europa League second qualifying round tie on Thursday, July 23, opponent and venue TBC. The second leg is the following Thursday, July 30.
The prize for progress will already be known, with the third qualifying draw taking place a few days before the second round kicks off.
Serious business
The opening weekend of Scottish Premiership action is scheduled for August 1 and 2. After such a flat end to last season, Gray’s men will be looking for a quick start – regardless of how far their European travels might have taken them.