Final countdown
Here come the fixtures – we’ll get you the important dates out first.
We’ll start with the opening day, before taking a look at Boxing Day and the final round of games set for early May 2026.
Championship – what to look out for
The 46-game slog of the Championship is a familiar sight for all three relegated Prem teams.
Ipswich, Southampton and Leicester all made an immediate return to the second tier after a one-season stay in the top flight.
Will Still has taken over at St Mary’s, while Ruud van Nistelrooy looks in big trouble at the King Power.
Newly-promoted Birmingham, Wrexham and Charlton will all hope to hit the ground running after a fantastic season in League One.
The Blues spent big last summer and reaped the rewards, amassing a record point total as they cruised to the title.
While this season will be Wrexham’s first in the second tier since 1982.
Important dates
As we await the fixture drop at 12pm, here are some important dates for your diary.
- Fixture release day: TODAY at 12pm
- League One and League Two start date: Weekend of August 2/3 2025
- Championship start date: Weekend of August 9/10
- Carabao Cup Final: Sunday, March 22 2026
- Vertu Trophy Final: Sunday, April 12 2026
- Final games of the regular season: Weekend of May 2/3, 2026
- Championship Play-Off Final: Saturday, May 23 2026
- League One Play-Off Final: Sunday, May 24, 2026
- League Two Play-Off Final: Monday, May 25, 2026
Three ‘n easy
Speaking of Sky, the broadcaster will show every EFL kick-off on the opening weekend – including matches starting at 3pm.
This year’s EFL schedule sees League One and League Two kicking off on the weekend of August 1.
The Championship will begin seven days later on August 7.
Due to the staggered start of the EFL season, Sky can take advantage of a loophole and show matches live at 3pm.
Sky’s the limit
Today’s fixtures all have provisional kick-off times ahead of Sky’s announced TV dates.
So some timings could yet change.
The broadcaster has vowed to get every fixture change up to January released by July 3.
That way, matches won’t be moved close to kick-off and fans be left out of pocket.
In a fix
As one season sails off into the sunset, another appears on the horizon.
EFL teams across the football pyramid are eagerly awaiting today’s fixture lists.
We’ve already had confirmation of the Premier League’s schedule for the upcoming campaign.
Now it’s the turn of teams across the Championship, League One and League Two to start dreaming.
The fixtures are set to drop at MIDDAY for all three divisions.
We’ll bring you the select ties, standout derbies and the iconic Boxing Day schedule as soon as they arrive.
The countdown is on – we’ve less than an hour to go.
