The Halifax Wanderers will host English side Nottingham Forest in two Atlantic Canadian cities for the 2026 International Summer Series.
Featuring the Wanderers’ U21 team against the Nottingham Forest Academy. The two-match series will start on July 19 in Mount Pearl, Newfoundland and Labrador and conclude in Charlottetown, PEI, on Friday, July 24. Tickets are available to the public by clicking here.
Nottingham Forest’s squad is the development team for the English Premier League side. Forest are two-time European Cup winners (now the UEFA Champions League) and were crowned champions of England’s top division in 1978.
“We’re delighted to welcome a club of the pedigree of Nottingham Forest, one of the most storied and successful clubs in English football,” said Matt Fegan, Halifax Wanderers Vice President, Football Operations. “Our International Summer Series has continued to grow in stature over the past four years through our collaboration with REBIRTH. It is now a mainstay on our academy calendar and provides valuable development experience to test our players against elite opposition at home in our region. We are thrilled to work with partners in Mount Pearl and Charlottetown to produce these fantastic showcase games.”
The International Summer Series is an annual club friendly series that pits a Halifax Wanderers Development Team against professional sides from overseas. Launched in 2023, the first series saw a Halifax Wanderers U23 team face German professional side Holstein Kiel in a three-match series played in Moncton, Charlottetown, and Halifax. In 2024, the series expanded to five cities, with Wanderers U21 playing against U21 teams from English clubs Ipswich Town FC and Middlesbrough FC. 2025 was a thrilling three-match series against Wales’ Wrexham A.F.C, played in front of sold-out crowds in Halifax, Charlottetown and Saint John.
“We are delighted to be returning to Canada for the second summer in succession to attend the International Summer Series vs Halifax Wanderers FC,” Nottingham Forest Head of Academy Chris McGuane said. “Providing our players with the chance to experience international opposition is key within our player development principles across the Academy. Having the opportunity to continue our preparation for the season in a first-class environment helps us accelerate the individual development of our players, and we are all looking forward to being back in Canada.”
The Wanderers worked closely with English-based partners REBIRTH Soccer to arrange Nottingham Forest’s visit. REBIRTH have been an integral partners to the International Summer Series since its inception.
"We are absolutely delighted to enter our third year partnering with the Halifax Wanderers for the Summer Series, continuing to support this event's incredible growth," said James King, Co-founder of Rebirth Soccer. "Building on the incredible momentum of previously bringing historic clubs like Ipswich, Middlesbrough, and Wrexham, we knew we had to push the boundaries once again. We have worked tirelessly this year, and we are thrilled to finally bring Premier League side Nottingham Forest to Atlantic Canada for what will be an unforgettable experience."
The 2026 International Summer Series kicks off at Mount Pearl’s Team Gushue Sports Complex on Sunday, July 19 (12 p.m. kickoff time). This is the Wanderers second trip to Newfoundland and Labrador in recent years, as the 2024 edition of the Summer Series saw Halifax’s U21 squad defeat Ipswich Town U21 3-1 in St. John’s. It will be an all-day celebration of soccer in Mount Pearl, with the World Cup final taking place later that afternoon.
On Friday, July 24, Charlottetown, PEI will host the finale of the 2026 International Summer Series at UPEI Turf Field (6 p.m. kickoff). Charlottetown has been a gracious host city for every iteration of the International Summer Series, with the local soccer community coming out in numbers to fill the venue.
"Charlottetown is thrilled to once again welcome the Halifax Wanderers’ International Summer Series to our city,” Charlottetown Mayor Philip Brown said. “Hosting a match featuring the Halifax Wanderers FC and Nottingham Forest FC gives residents and visitors a unique opportunity to experience high-calibre international soccer right here at home. Events like this showcase the growing passion for soccer in our community while bringing people together to celebrate competition, athletic excellence and community spirit. We look forward to welcoming the players, coaches and fans to Charlottetown this July for what promises to be an exciting match and a memorable experience for all.”
Currently Atlantic Canada’s only men’s professional soccer team, the Halifax Wanderers are passionate about growing the game in the region and developing local players for its Canadian Premier League roster. At least one current or former Wanderer has come from each of the four Atlantic Provinces. Several players who featured for Halifax in past editions of the International Summer Series went on to sign professional contracts, including Jefferson Alphonse, Sinclair Astridge, Yorgos Gavas, Ben Marsh, and Camilo Vasconcelos (Halifax Wanderers), as well as Kimani Stewart-Baynes (Colorado Rapids, MLS).