AS Saint-Étienne officially starts its 2026‑27 pre‑season against Swiss side Biel‑Bienne on Saturday 11 July, kickoff set for 18:00 at the Envol Stadium in Andrézieux‑Bouthéon.

Why is this match important for the Greens?

The club has just confirmed its return to Ligue 2 after losing the promotion play‑off to OGC Nice. The fixture gives new Scottish manager Ian Cathro a chance to see his incomplete squad and shape tactical basics before the first official training. Fans are especially keen to watch the debuts of Jakob Breum, a young Danish attacking midfielder, and Sohaib Naïr, a Franco‑Algerian centre‑back, both signed this summer.

Who is likely to feature in this first test?

Senegalese goalkeeper Mamour Ndiaye has just arrived but will stay on the bench, reserving his first minutes for a possible second half. Notable absentees are Lucas Stassin and Zuriko Davitashvili, who left this summer, opening spots for newcomers. The squad remains in flux, each starter under close scrutiny from the coaching staff.

Will the match be broadcast?

No national TV channel has announced a live broadcast. The club therefore advises supporters to follow the game on its social media platforms – Twitter, Instagram and the official YouTube channel – which will stream the match live. This approach keeps fans engaged while limiting production costs.

What are the next challenges for AS Saint‑Étienne?

After Biel‑Bienne, the Greens will face Swiss top‑flight side Servette Genève, then travel to Scotland for a clash with Glasgow Rangers. These tougher fixtures will let Cathro assess defensive solidity and attacking creativity before Ligue 2 kicks off in August.

What can fans expect?

Supporters hope to see fluid football even if the squad isn’t full. The friendly mainly serves to gauge team cohesion and give minutes to the new signings. A solid performance could generate a psychological boost after last season’s disappointment.

In short, the 11 July match marks the first concrete step for AS Saint‑Étienne toward a new Ligue 2 campaign, with a manager settling in and three fresh faces ready to make their mark.