Brighton & Hove Albion’s pre‑season camp was abruptly cancelled on July 24, 2026, when helicopters for the G7 summit turned the training pitches in Evian‑les‑Bains into landing zones. The club’s staff reported the fields unusable, prompting an emergency move to Austria.
What caused the disruption?
The G7 summit in June brought heads of state – U.S. President Donald Trump, former UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and others – to the region by helicopter. Their arrivals left the nearby training grounds scarred, forcing the Seagulls’ squad, led by manager Fabian Hurzeler, to abandon the Hotel Royal Resort plan.
How does this affect Brighton’s pre‑season schedule?
The friendly against Ligue 2 side Annecy on Saturday was scrapped, while the match versus Strasbourg on August 1 will still go ahead. Brighton shifted training back to Lancing for a closed‑door intra‑squad game on Saturday before heading to Austria on Sunday. The club says the disruption will have minimal impact on preparations for a busy start to the 2025‑26 season.
What are the upcoming fixtures?
After the Austrian camp, Brighton will face Serie A opponents Roma on August 8 and Bologna on August 15. The Europa Conference League play‑off first leg is set for August 20, with the Premier League opener against Aston Villa on August 23. The team sits eighth in the Premier League from the 2025 table, with 53 points, 14 wins, 11 draws and 13 losses, and a recent form of LLWLW.
Why does this matter for the club’s ambitions?
With 52 goals scored and 46 conceded this season (+6 goal difference) and sitting 32 points behind leaders Arsenal, Brighton needs a smooth start to chase European spots. The sudden venue change tests the squad’s adaptability, but the club’s swift logistics response shows resilience ahead of a crucial campaign.
