Real Sociedad has set up their 2026 pre-season camp at The Belfry near Birmingham, where they will play two friendlies against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa in Walsall. The squad arrived yesterday afternoon on a charter flight from Noain, settling into the Hotel Belfry, a 1977 golf resort built on a 13th-century manor.
Where will Matarazzo's team train?
The hotel sits between Sutton Coldfield, Curdworth and Kingsbury, offering seclusion away from the city. Per Diario Vasco, the resort features meadows, lakes and two aquaparks. The Belfry famously hosted the Ryder Cup four times (1985, 1989, 1993 and 2002), though its next major event is the British Masters in late August, with day tickets priced over £100.
Matarazzo’s side will train twice at Aston Villa’s training ground, just five minutes from the hotel, with facilities akin to Zubieta. Sessions are scheduled for tomorrow and Monday at 13:00, while the friendlies vs Wolves and Aston Villa take place today and Tuesday, respectively.
Which players might hit the links?
It’s unclear if Álex Remiro will squeeze in a round, but the goalkeeper is known for his golf habit. The Cascante-born player often competes in tournaments away from Donostia. He won’t have Brais Méndez as his caddie, though-the midfielder is another Real Sociedad player adept at the sport.
When does the team fly home?
Real Sociedad departs The Belfry on Wednesday, just before the first competitive fixture of the season. Club president Jokin Aperribay did not travel, and sporting director Erik Bretos will meet Aston Villa’s head of football, Olabe. The week in the UK wraps up a short pre-season abroad.
The Txuri-Urdin start their campaign after finishing 10th in LaLiga’s final 2025 table with 46 points (11 wins, 13 draws, 14 losses), a goal difference of -2 (59 scored, 61 conceded). Their last result was a 1-1 draw at Espanyol on 23 May 2026, in a winless stretch of five games (0W-3D-2L: DDDLL).
