Celtic to face Sporting CP in Algarve friendly July 14

Celtic will face Sporting CP in a high-profile preseason friendly at the Estadio Algarve in Portugal on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, as manager Martin O’Neill continues to intensify preparations for the upcoming Scottish Premiership campaign. The match, kicking off at 5:30 p.m. UK time, represents a significant step up in competition following Celtic’s 1-1 draw with Shelbourne in Dublin last week.

The fixture is not scheduled for traditional television broadcast in the United Kingdom or Ireland. Instead, the club will stream the match exclusively on its new subscription-based service, CelticPlayer, with coverage beginning at 5:15 p.m. UK time. For viewers in Portugal, the game will be available on DAZN Portugal, TVI, and Sporting TV.

Celtic’s squad has been put through a demanding warm-weather training camp in the Algarve, featuring double sessions in the Portuguese heat. First-team coach Shaun Maloney acknowledged the grueling intensity of the workouts, noting that some younger players have found the conditions particularly challenging. Manager O’Neill stated the purpose of the camp was to intensify tactical work and build fitness for the season ahead.