Italian giants Roma plan pre-season games in Wales

Newport County are finalising plans to host Italian giants Roma in a glamorous pre-season friendly at Rodney Parade.

The Exiles hope to face the Serie A side on Tuesday, 4 August in a high-profile warm-up for their 2026-27 League Two campaign that starts later in the month.

There are reports Cardiff City could also host Roma - possibly on the first weekend of August - before their return to the Championship.

That would suit Cardiff given they do not currently have a warm-up match scheduled for the first week of August.

Roma have confirmed on their website that they are heading to Wales at the end of July for an eight-day training camp at the same complex where the Bluebirds are based, Hensol resort in the Vale of Glamorgan.

The Italian club said their players would spend just over a week in Hensol, playing three friendlies during their time in Wales, before returning to Rome on 8 August.

A money-spinning home friendly with Roma would clearly be a big coup for County, who are preparing for another season in League Two after narrowly avoiding relegation on the final day of the 2025-26 season.

Roma, by contrast, are preparing for a return to the Champions League for the first time in eight years after finishing third in Serie A last season.

The pre-season game at Rodney Parade is expected to be open to fans, with tickets going on sale soon, while several Roma first-team players should feature.

The opening round of the new English Football League season takes place between 14 and 16 August, with the fixtures released on 25 June.