Cardiff City are preparing to kick off their pre-season schedule at home against FC Midtjylland. The match is scheduled for Saturday, 11th July 2026, with a 12:30pm K.O. at the Cardiff City Stadium. This fixture marks the official start of Cardiff City’s pre-season preparations and sees the Bluebirds host one of Denmark’s most successful modern clubs. Midtjylland arrive as the reigning Oddset Pokalen (Danish Cup) champions. The Danish side also previously suffered a narrow loss to their upcoming pre-season opponents during a UEFA Europa League campaign.
Midtjylland’s Recent Triumphs and League Form
FC Midtjylland enters Saturday’s pre-season opener with a strong pedigree as one of the most successful Danish clubs in recent times. Their 2025/26 season was a successful one, culminating in them securing their seventh major domestic trophy. This silverware came in the form of the Danish Cup, where they emerged victorious. Midtjylland defeated København by a score of 1-0 in the Final, played at Parken Stadium. The decisive goal was scored by Lee Han-beom in the 82nd minute, sealing the trophy for his side.
In league competition, Ulvene had finished as runners-up to F.C. København in the 2024/25 season. They once again started the subsequent season strongly, exhibiting solid form in their initial fixtures. The team lost only one of their opening 15 matches during the last campaign. Despite this robust start, Midtjylland finished the regular season four points adrift of Aarhus. Aarhus ultimately went on to claim the title at the conclusion of the Championship round. A goalless draw between Midtjylland and Nordsjælland on May 10th effectively handed the title to Aarhus. This result meant that Ulvene would have to settle for a second consecutive season occupying second place in the league standings.
The Rise of ‘Ulvene’ and Their Head Coach
FC Midtjylland, affectionately nicknamed ‘Ulvene’ (the Wolves), was formed in 1999. This came about as a direct result of a merger between two clubs, Ikast FS and Herning Fremad. Over the past 15 years, the club has experienced significant growth, establishing itself as a leading force within Danish football. Their impressive record includes four Danish Superliga titles. Their inaugural championship success was achieved in the 2014/15 season. This was followed by further league victories in the 2017/18, 2019/20, and 2023/24 campaigns. Midtjylland conduct their home matches at the MCH Arena in Herning, a venue with a 12,055 capacity. Their distinctive home colours are red and black, and they maintain a rivalry with Viborg FF.
Guiding Midtjylland from the dugout is Head Coach Mike Tullberg, who was appointed to his role in September 2025. Tullberg, born on Christmas Day, 1985, is 40 years old. In his playing career, he featured as a striker. He turned out for clubs such as Grenaa IF and Aarhus Gymnastikforening in his native Denmark. His playing days also included a loan spell in Italy with Reggina. Additionally, he had a brief, seven-game loan period in Scotland, playing for Hearts.
Tullberg transitioned into coaching with the U19 side of Rot-Weiß Oberhausen. This German team was where he had concluded his playing career. In 2019, Tullberg was appointed as the boss of Borussia Dortmund II. This reserve side of the German giants has seen several managers go on to English football. These predecessors include David Wagner, Daniel Farke, and Jan Siewert. Tullberg also had a short stint as interim boss of the Dortmund first team, covering three games in January 2025. He then departed for Midtjylland nine months later to take up his current position.
Midtjylland’s European Journey
FC Midtjylland’s involvement in European competition during the last season saw them compete in the UEFA Europa League. Their path to the League Phase involved successfully navigating through a series of qualifiers. They secured victories against Hibernian, Fredrikstad, and KuPS in these qualifying rounds. Upon entering the League Phase, Midtjylland concluded their group stage in third position. They finished behind two strong clubs, Lyon and Aston Villa. During their European campaign, Ulvene recorded notable victories. These wins came against the likes of Nottingham Forest, Celtic, and Dinamo Zagreb. Their journey also included a narrow loss to their upcoming pre-season opponents.
Match Information for Supporters
Tickets for the upcoming pre-season opener are presently on sale. Supporters are advised that purchasing tickets in advance will allow them to save money compared to matchday prices. For those fans unable to attend the fixture at Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff City TV is offering a solution. The club’s television service will be live streaming the match worldwide. This live stream will be available everywhere with the exception of Denmark. Access to the fixture broadcast can be secured by purchasing a Match Pass for £5.