Plans for the Hornets’ 2024/25 pre-season schedule are well underway, with six friendlies confirmed so far as Tom Cleverley prepares his squad for the new Sky Bet Championship campaign.

Read on for a breakdown of each match, with additions to the schedule likely and all fixtures subject to change.

The Hornets will begin their pre-season with an opening friendly fixture against Sky Bet League One side Reading.

This will take place behind closed doors at the Watford FC Training Ground on Saturday July 6 (11am KO).

The first pre-season fixture open to the public will be played soon after, with the Golden Boys making the short trip to Meadow Park to face National League South outfit Boreham Wood on Wednesday July 10 (7.30pm KO).

This fixture will see Cleverley come up against a former Watford team-mate in the dugout, with Ross Jenkins recently taking over as the Wood's manager.

The Hornets’ next match sees them back on the road to face another Hertfordshire outfit as they travel to play Stevenage of League One at the Lamex Stadium on Saturday July 13 (3pm KO).

There will then be a trip to Priestfield Stadium to play Gillingham on Saturday July 20 (3pm KO), setting up a reunion with club legend Kenny Jackett who works as the League Two side's Director of Football.

A midweek trip to Buckinghamshire follows this, with the Golden Boys squaring off against League One side Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park on Tuesday July 30 (7.30pm KO).

Pre-season will then be rounded off with a game against Premier League Brentford at Vicarage Road as preparations ramp up before the return of Championship action the following weekend.

Watford players and fans alike will make their return to The Vic on Saturday August 3 (3pm KO) to see the Hornets take on the Bees.

Ticket information for the clashes open to supporters will be confirmed in due course.

Selected friendlies will be available to stream at watfordfc.com via iFollow – which is replacing Hive Live as the club’s streaming service – with more details to be announced in the near future.

Friendly schedule - subject to change, with additions likely:

•⁠ ⁠Saturday July 6, 11am: Reading (h) – Watford Training Ground (Behind Closed Doors)
•⁠ Wednesday July 10, 7.30pm: Boreham Wood (a) – Meadow Park
•⁠ ⁠Saturday July 13, 3pm: Stevenage (a) – Lamex Stadium
•⁠ ⁠Saturday July 20, 3pm: Gillingham (a) – Priestfield Stadium
•⁠ ⁠Tuesday July 30, 7.30pm: Wycombe Wanderers (a) – Adams Park
•⁠ ⁠Saturday August 3, 3pm: Brentford (h) – Vicarage Road

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