FC Augsburg will hold their summer training camp outside Europe for the first time in the club’s history in 2024. Jess Thorup’s side will prepare for the 2024/25 season from July 18 to 28 in the province of Mpumalanga in South Africa. FCA’s travel party are set to be accommodated in White River.
FCA will also take part in a tournament held by South African top-flight side TS Galaxy during the training camp. The “Mpumalanga Premier’s International Tournament 2024” will be played at Mbombela Stadium, which was one of ten venues used for the FIFA World Cup in 2010. The tournament’s semi-finals will take place on July 20, whilst the third-place play-off and the final will be held on July 27.
“We’re really looking forward to the upcoming trip abroad to South Africa. The province of Mpumalanga offers us an environment in which we can prepare really well for the new season in the shape of White River. In our conversations with the local authorities, it impressed us how much effort they’ve put in for us to be able to come to South Africa for the first time. The trip will certainly be a valuable and enriching experience for our whole team. Additionally, we’d like to do our bit in representing the Bundesliga abroad and continue to increase its global popularity with our stay in South Africa,” explained FCA CEO Michael Ströll.
A team visit to the Kruger National Park is planned alongside FCA’s sporting activities. Further information regarding the training camp will follow at a later date.
Training to begin on July 8
Additionally, FCA have confirmed more dates for pre-season. The first team will be on holiday up to and including July 3. The players will then complete performance diagnostics tests on July 4/5, whilst training is set to officially begin on Monday July 8 at the WWK ARENA.
Jess Thorup’s side’s first friendly will be against newly-promoted fourth-division side TSV Schwaben Augsburg on Saturday, July 13. The exact time and venue will be announced soon.