Nottingham Forest will face European giants Barcelona and host club Udinese today, Saturday, August 8, 2026, in a unique pre-season tournament held in Italy. The inaugural Friuli Venezia Giulia Cup features three 45-minute matches at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine. Fans worldwide can stream the action live as these clubs finalize preparations for their upcoming league campaigns.[mirror+2]
Friuli Venezia Giulia Cup Match Schedule
The triangular tournament kicks off with Nottingham Forest taking on Udinese at 7:00 PM BST (8:00 PM CEST).Immediately following, Nottingham Forest will challenge Spanish champions Barcelona at 8:00 PM BST (9:00 PM CEST).The final match of the evening will see Udinese play Barcelona, starting at 9:00 PM BST (10:00 PM CEST).All matches are held at the Bluenergy Stadium, also known as Stadio Friuli, in Udine, Italy.[mirror+11]
How to Watch in the United Kingdom
Supporters in the United Kingdom can exclusively watch both Nottingham Forest matches live on Forest TV, the club's official streaming platform.There is no traditional linear UK television channel broadcasting these pre-season fixtures.A match pass for the Barcelona game is available for a one-off fee of £5.99. Forest TV can be accessed online via any standard web browser or through the official Nottingham Forest mobile app on iOS and Android devices. Highlights of the pre-season matches will also be available on Forest TV.[mirror+7]
Live Stream Options for North America and Beyond
In the United States, fans can stream the matches live on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Golazo Network. Paramount+ requires a paid subscription for access. CBS Sports Golazo Network offers free 24/7 coverage dedicated to global football and can be streamed on the CBS Sports app, Pluto TV, and Paramount+. Kick-off times for the US audience are 2:00 PM ET / 11:00 AM PT for Udinese vs Nottingham Forest, and 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT for Nottingham Forest vs Barcelona.[si+6]
Canadian and Mexican viewers can follow the action via Barça Play and FC Barcelona's official YouTube channel. Apremium club membership is required to access these streams. Globally, Barça One and the official FC Barcelona YouTube Channel will also broadcast the matches, requiring a premium subscription. InSpain, the games will be shown on TV3 and Movistar+.[si+3]
Unique Tournament Format Provides Intense Test
The Friuli Venezia Giulia Cup employs a distinct format designed to give teams a high-intensity workout before the regular season. Each match lasts 45 minutes, with three points awarded for a win in normal time. Ifa match ends in a draw after 45 minutes, a penalty shootout will determine the winner. The team winning the shootout receives two points, while the losing team earns one point. This league format will decide the tournament champion. This condensed format challenges both managers to test high-intensity tactics with zero time to waste.[nottinghamforest+8]
Nottingham Forest Prepares for Premier League Challenge
Nottingham Forest concluded their 2026/27 pre-season schedule with this tournament. Managed by Oliver Glasner, the Premier League side finished 16th last season, just five points above the relegation zone. The club also reached the Europa League semi-finals, where they lost 4-1 on aggregate to Aston Villa. These challenging pre-season fixtures are crucial for building fitness, sharpness, and team cohesion. Forest's recent pre-season results include a 4-1 loss to Sporting Lisbon, a 2-0 win against Notts County, and a 3-0 victory over Blackburn. Their Premier League campaign begins on August 22 against Leeds United. After the tournament in Udine, Forest will return home to play Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday, August 12, and Brest on Sunday, August 16.[nottinghamforest+7]
Barcelona Fine-Tunes Squad Under Hansi Flick
Reigning La Liga champions Barcelona enter this tournament under manager Hansi Flick. The Catalan club enjoyed a successful 2025/26 campaign, winning both the Supercopa de España and the La Liga title, while also reaching the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. Barcelona's pre-season schedule is condensed due to several first-team players having extended runs at the FIFA World Cup. Theteam has been preparing with training camps and friendly matches, including a 4-1 victory over CE Europa behind closed doors and a 2-2 draw with Birmingham City. This tournament marks a special return to Udine for Barcelona, nearly 21 years after their last visit in the UEFA Champions League group stage in December 2005. Barcelona will open their 2026-27 La Liga title defense away to Elche on August 23. Following the Udine tournament, Barcelona will continue their pre-season against Basel on Sunday, August 18, and then host Al Ahly in the traditional Joan Gamper Trophy.[si+9]
Udinese Seeks Home Advantage
Host club Udinese, managed by Kosta Runjaic, finished 10th in Serie A last season. TheItalian club has been a consistent presence in Italy's top flight for the past 31 seasons. Playing on their home turf at the Bluenergy Stadium, Udinese will look to leverage local support in this international friendly. Their pre-season preparations included matches against NK Istra, Swansea, Shabab Al Ahli, and Mainz. Udinese recently lost 1-0 to Turkish side Trabzonspor in a friendly. TheFriuli Venezia Giulia Cup provides a significant test against top European opposition before their Serie A season begins.[udinese+8]
This unique pre-season tournament offers fans an early look at three European clubs as they build towards their respective 2026/27 campaigns.
