Sunderland have announced a programme of seven pre-season friendlies - with an eighth set to be confirmed in the coming days. The Black Cats will report back to the Academy of Light on June 22 to begin their preparations ahead of the Championship season, which kicks-off on July 30.
Their preparations will include behind-closed-doors friendlies against National League Gateshead and National League North side Blyth Spartans on Saturday, July 2. Alex Neil's side will then travel to Portugal for for an eight-day training camp on the Algarve from July 6-13, where they will play two friendlies.
The first game will see them take on Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers at the Estadio Municipal de Albufeira - a familiar venue, with the Black Cats having last played there in the summer of 2019 - on Saturday, July 9 (kick-off 8pm). There will also be a second fixture in Portugal, although the date and opponents have yet to be confirmed.
