Derby County have confirmed they will return to Austria this summer for a pre-season training camp as preparations begin for the 2026/27 campaign under John Eustace.
The Rams will spend a week in the Tyrol region, with the trip scheduled to run from Saturday 18th July to Saturday 25th July.
It marks a repeat of last year’s approach, with the club once again opting for an overseas base to help sharpen both fitness levels and tactical understanding ahead of the new season.
The decision to head back to Austria reflects a growing trend among professional sides to take pre-season away from the usual routine in England.
The Tyrol region provides a controlled environment with strong facilities, allowing players and staff to focus fully on preparation without the usual interruptions of the domestic schedule.
For Eustace, the camp will be an important stage in continuing to shape his squad and reinforce his ideas on the training ground.
Pre-season remains a crucial period for building intensity and clarity in playing style, and the structured week abroad will allow for concentrated work on conditioning, organisation and on-pitch understanding.
It will also offer new signings the chance to settle quickly into the group, while existing players look to establish themselves within the manager’s plans ahead of the new campaign.
The trip is also expected to include at least one friendly fixture, although Derby have yet to confirm opposition or exact details.
Further information on pre-season matches will be released to supporters once arrangements are finalised.
Away from the pitch, the camp will give players extended time together, something coaching staff often value just as highly as the training sessions themselves.
That shared environment can help strengthen relationships within the squad, which often carries over into better understanding during competitive fixtures.
With the summer transfer window likely to bring movement in and out of the squad, the Austria camp may also provide an early indication of how Derby are shaping up under Eustace’s leadership.
Competition for places is expected to be strong, and the week abroad will give players a clear opportunity to make an impression.
As preparations build towards the new season, Derby’s return to Austria highlights a focused and structured approach to pre-season, with the club aiming to lay solid foundations ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
