Empoli's 2026‑27 Serie B campaign will open with a test match against Castelfiorentino. Coach Guido Pagliuca is expected to deploy a 3‑5‑2 formation, with alternatives such as 3‑4‑2‑1 and 3‑4‑1‑2 on the table. Key players Elia, Degli Innocenti and Shpendi remain sidelined after surgery, while the goalkeeper position will be contested between Seghetti and Perisan. Defenders Curto, Guarino and Tosto are slated to form the back line, with Ceesay and Saporiti likely to occupy the wide roles.
Fortitudo Pallacanestro begins its preseason on 19 August in Montecatini. The first scrimmage pits the team against the former Harris side, followed by a season‑opening exhibition versus Pistoia on 26 August, which will serve as the club's official presentation. Additional fixtures include a match against Livorno on 12 September and participation in the Supercoppa in Cento from 18‑20 September. The schedule also features a Valtellina Summer League in early September, with games against Trento and Trieste, and a final preseason encounter with Libertas Livorno before the regular season starts.