AO Kavala's football team opened its pre-season programme with a commanding 5-0 friendly win over Agios Athanasios Drama on Saturday, 8 August 2026, backed by home supporters. The result gave coaching staff an early positive marker as the squad continues to rebuild following relegation to Gamma Ethniki for the coming season. Club officials cautioned that a single pre-season friendly says little about form once competitive fixtures begin, but described the performance and scoreline as an encouraging start to preparations.