Real Madrid are set for a rare Alpine stopover this summer as they play their only pre-season friendly against WSG Tirol in Austria. The match on August 12 at 7:00 PM CEST (10:30 PM IST) in Innsbruck will mark a crucial part of Xabi Alonso’s short but intense 15-day pre-season as the team builds toward the 2025-26 campaign.
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Friendly Confirmed After Tight Schedule
Against the odds, with such little preparation time, Real Madrid have carved out space for this friendly clash. Scheduled for August 12 at Tivoli Stadion, kick-off 7:00 PM CEST (10:30 PM IST), the match comes on the ninth day of Xabi Alonso’s 15-day pre-season program.
The idea from the club was simple: minimize travel and treat the Austria trip more like a brief getaway than an extended training camp. With just a week left before the opening La Liga fixture against Osasuna on August 19 (7:00 PM CEST / 10:30 PM IST), this is almost certainly Madrid’s only friendly of the summer.
Matchday Details
| Fixture | Date | Time (CEST) | Time (IST) | Venue | Capacity | Weather Forecast |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Madrid vs WSG Tirol | August 12, 2025 | 7:00 PM | 10:30 PM | Tivoli Stadion, Innsbruck | 17,000 | 26°C (approx.) |
WSG Tirol’s Big Occasion
The opponents, WSG Tirol, play in the Austrian Bundesliga and finished 10th out of 12 last season, narrowly avoiding relegation in the play-out stage.
For them, this match is historic. Club director Julian Heiss said: “It is a great honor for us to be able to play a friendly against Real Madrid. A match of this magnitude is not an everyday occurrence. We are looking forward to a true football festival for young and old.”
Organized by Onside Sports in partnership with WSG, the game will give fans the chance to watch international stars and emerging global talents up close in Innsbruck.
A View of the Alps
The Tivoli Stadion, nestled in the heart of the Alps, provides a spectacular backdrop. With temperatures expected to hover around 26°C, fans can expect an atmospheric evening of football.
Given the demand, a full house of 17,000 spectators is anticipated, making this a once-in-a-lifetime event for Austrian football fans.
No Bernabéu Trophy Once Again
One notable absence from the pre-season calendar is the Bernabéu Trophy. Once a summer classic since 1979, the competition has now been missing for seven consecutive years.
- It was last held in 2018 (Madrid 3–1 AC Milan).
- It was canceled in 2019, shelved during the pandemic, and not revived since.
- Madrid have won 28 of 39 editions, while Bayern (3), Inter (2), and Milan (2) follow distantly.
While fans hoped for its return this summer, scheduling constraints once again pushed it aside. Instead, Innsbruck’s friendly will serve as the unofficial replacement.
Inside Xabi Alonso’s Pre-Season Plan
Real Madrid’s pre-season officially resumes on August 4 with medicals, reunions, and training sessions. All players are expected back — except for Mastantuono, who will only rejoin after turning 18 on August 14.
The Austria trip therefore falls almost exactly in the middle of Alonso’s preparations, giving the squad valuable match practice before the competitive action begins.
Countdown to La Liga 2025-26
The La Liga calendar offered no postponement for Madrid’s opener, meaning they will face Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabéu on August 19 (7:00 PM CEST / 10:30 PM IST), just seven days after the Tirol friendly.
With limited pre-season time, this match in Innsbruck is pivotal — both for conditioning and for tactical experiments before the season gets underway.
FAQs
When will Real Madrid play WSG Tirol?
On Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at 7:00 PM CEST (10:30 PM IST).
Where is the Real Madrid friendly being held?
At the Tivoli Stadion in Innsbruck, Austria, with a 17,000 capacity.
How hot will it be during the match?
The forecast predicts around 26°C at kick-off.
Why is there no Bernabéu Trophy this year?
The Bernabéu Trophy hasn’t been held since 2018 due to scheduling issues, pandemic disruptions, and overseas commitments.
What is the significance of this game for Real Madrid?
It’s Madrid’s only pre-season friendly, scheduled midway through Xabi Alonso’s 15-day training camp before La Liga begins.
