Hull City are back in action for the first time since their Championship play-off final victory over Middlesbrough in May. The Tigers face Turkish Super Lig side Konyaspor in Slovenia as they begin their pre-season preparations for the 2026-27 campaign.
What’s the latest from the friendly?
The match, originally scheduled for 4:30pm UK time, kicked off slightly delayed at 4:45pm after Konyaspor’s late arrival. Hull City fielded a strong starting XI, with Jack Butland in goal and new signing Oscar Zambrano making his debut in midfield. The Ecuadorian joined the squad earlier this week during their training camp in Maribor.
Konyaspor, who finished ninth in the Turkish Super Lig last season, are also in pre-season mode, having played two friendlies already with mixed results. This marks the first-ever meeting between the two clubs.
Why this friendly matters for Hull City
After finishing sixth in the Championship last season with 73 points (21W-10D-15L), Hull City are looking to build on their momentum from the play-off final win. The Tigers, who scored 70 goals and conceded 66 in the 2025-26 campaign, are on a four-game winning streak (WWWWD) and will use this friendly to test their squad depth ahead of the new season.
Manager Liam Rosenior will be keen to assess his players’ fitness and tactical shape, especially with another friendly against Rizespor scheduled for Tuesday before they travel to Istanbul to face Kasimpasa.
What’s next for the Tigers?
Hull City will continue their pre-season tour in Slovenia before returning to England to finalize their preparations. The club is expected to announce further signings as they aim to strengthen the squad for the upcoming Championship season.
With the new campaign still weeks away, these friendlies provide a crucial opportunity for the Tigers to fine-tune their performance and build chemistry ahead of their opening fixture.
