Celtic Confirm AC Milan Friendly at Celtic Park

Overview

• Celtic will host AC Milan at Celtic Park on July 25, 2026, as the centrepiece of a pre-season that also features a trip to Dublin to face Shelbourne, a game with Sporting CP and a training camp in Portugal.
• Experts disagree sharply on the financial payoff from the Milan match with former Manchester City adviser Stefan Borson saying it will produce little net revenue after matchday costs and payaways and former Aberdeen CEO Keith Wyness arguing it could bring in 'multi-millions' and sell out.
• The club confirmed Martin O’Neill has signed a one-year extension to manage 2026-27 and reporting says the board is still planning a future handover to Robbie Keane, a plan that previously provoked strong fan protests.
• Several routine costs could eat into any windfall because ticket pricing, matchday expenses and appearance or payaway fees to visiting clubs reduce gross receipts, which helps explain the wide gap between the expert estimates.
• Beyond immediate revenue, the board sees the Milan game as a public-relations move to rebuild goodwill after a controversial title finish and to present potential signings such as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain or Marcelo Saracchi to supporters ahead of the new season.