The traditional summer tournament, the Virgen de la Palma Trophy, now has its date and opponent confirmed for this year. Algeciras CF will face the youth squad of Tottenham Hotspur, one of the most prominent clubs in the English Premier League, on Saturday, August 1st. This match will serve as the first major opportunity for fans to see the new team led by Adrián Colunga, who will head the albirrojo project in the Primera Federación.
The club has set the ticket prices for the match honoring the city's patron saint. Admission will cost 5 euros for season ticket holders, who must collect their tickets exclusively at the box office. For non-season ticket holders, prices will be 10 euros for the stands and preference areas, and 15 euros for the main tribune.
This year, the Virgen de la Palma Trophy is being held earlier, as it has typically taken place in mid or late August. Historically, this trophy has served as the team's presentation to its fans before the league season begins, as was the case last season when Algeciras CF defeated Xerez DFC on penalties.
The chosen opponent, Tottenham Hotspur's U21 team, managed by Wayne Burnett, arrives after playing several preparatory matches. The Londoners will previously face Ebbsfleet United (July 18th), Boreham Wood (July 21st), and Hornchurch (July 25th) before their visit to Algeciras. After the match at Nuevo Mirador, they will play against Enfield Town on August 4th.
In addition to this match, the summer in Algeciras will feature Leicester City, who will play friendlies against Cádiz CF and Málaga CF on July 22nd and 25th at the Algeciras stadium. These games offer a chance to see a historic English team, a newly promoted Premier League side, and a Cádiz team competing in the Second Division.
The Virgen de la Palma Trophy reaches its thirty-first edition and third consecutive one since its revival. The tournament, which was suspended three times (2020, 2022, and 2023), returned in 2024 with a derby against Ceuta. Algeciras CF has won the trophy in eighteen of the thirty editions held, facing teams such as Cádiz, Ceuta, Real Balompédica Linense, Recreativo Granada, and Málaga, among others.
The previous edition of the trophy drew criticism regarding the condition of the Nuevo Mirador facilities and the use of training gear by the first team. Fans hope the club has taken note of these oversights for the upcoming August 1st match.
