Following a positive 2024/25 campaign, West Ham’s U21 side will look to prepare well ahead of a new season. Their pre season schedule will help them do so, providing them with some great tests against senior opposition.

Mark Robson’s side head into their pre season campaign with plenty of confidence and momentum behind them. The young Hammers finished 4th in the PL2 and picked up cup wins against senior opposition. Their recently announced pre season schedule will allow them to see how they fare against more experienced sides, this will be of great value to West Ham’s U21’s as they look to kick on again in the 2025/26 season.

The Hammers pre season preparations consist of four matches, with the first being against National League South side Worthing, who finished 4th last season, on the 12th of July. Three days later the 21’s face Ebbsfleet United, who were relegated from the National League last season.

Ebbsfleet are familiar opponents to West Ham’s U21 side, having faced them in the National League Cup back in January as well as a number of times in previous pre season campaigns across recent years.

On the 19th of July Robson’s side play their third pre season fixture. The Hammers travel to York Road, where they’ll face off against Maidenhead United, a club managed for the last decade by West Ham legend Alan Devonshire.

The young Hammers final pre season test is on the 22nd of July away against Northampton Town. The Cobblers are managed by former West Ham captain and first team coach Kevin Nolan, they also have West Ham academy graduate Kamarai Swyer on their books who recently signed for the club on a permanent basis.

As well as building match fitness and sharpness ahead of a new season, pre season is a great opportunity for Robson’s players to impress. For those who featured for the 21’s regularly last season, a strong showing in pre season could open the door to a loan move or finding themselves in and around the first team squad.