CF Montréal is hitting the ground running for the 2026 Major League Soccer season, with the club announcing a significant portion of its preseason preparations will take place overseas in Spain.
Sun and Soccer: A Spanish Preseason Base
The team confirmed that its primary training camp will be held in Marbella, Spain. The squad is scheduled to depart for the coastal city via Málaga on January 13 and will remain there for a two-week intensive period, returning to Montreal on January 30.
While in Spain, the club has lined up two friendly matches against European competition to test its mettle. CF Montréal will face Slovan Liberec FC of the Czech First League on January 23 at 6 a.m. ET. A second match is scheduled against Ukrainian Premier League side FC Metalist 1925 Kharkiv on January 29, with the specific time still to be confirmed.
A Phased Preseason Approach
The club's preseason schedule is meticulously planned in distinct phases. Activities will commence locally with players reporting to Montreal’s Centre Nutrilait for medicals and physical testing on Saturday, January 10. The first on-field sessions are set for the following Monday, January 12, at the Complexe sportif Marie-Victorin.
Following the Spanish excursion, the team will have a brief stopover in Montreal. A training session and media availability are planned for February 2 before the squad travels to Bradenton, Florida, on February 3 to complete the camp. The Florida leg includes three additional friendlies:
- vs. New England Revolution (MLS) on February 7 at 4 p.m. ET in Bradenton.
- vs. Philadelphia Union (MLS) on February 10 at 6 p.m. ET in Clearwater.
- vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL) on February 14 in St. Petersburg (time TBC).
Stadium Logistics and Roster Moves
The need to travel extensively for preseason is partly driven by local stadium availability. The iconic Olympic Stadium, which has historically served as a winter training base, is undergoing a roof replacement project that will continue until 2028, rendering its playing surface unusable for the club in the interim.
In related team news, CF Montréal recently announced a loan move for goalkeeper Emil Gazdov. He has joined German Bundesliga club FC St. Pauli on loan until June 30, 2026. The agreement includes an option for the German side to purchase his contract permanently at the loan's conclusion.
The 2026 MLS regular season kicks off for CF Montréal with an away match against expansion side San Diego FC on February 21. The club's highly anticipated home opener at Stade Saputo is slated for April 11 against the Philadelphia Union.
