6 days Ago
It has also been confirmed that the season will kick off on the weekend of August 8-10 and conclude on the weekend of May 2 and 3 next year. Middlesbrough and Sunderland will both be hoping the key dates released today aren't relevant, with both sides aiming to win promotion to the Premier League this season. RECOMMENDED READING: EFL fixture release day will also incorporate the draw for round one of the Carabao Cup.
Boro and Sunderland would come in at the first round if they were in the Championship next season. As holders and now guaranteed to be playing in Europe next season, Newcastle will enter the Carabao Cup at the third round stage. Next season's EFL play-offs will place over the 2026 May Bank Holiday Weekend, from May 23-25.
The scheduled 46 rounds of League matches will take place across 33 weekends, nine midweeks and four Bank Holidays in the Championship. Key dates ahead of the 2025/26 EFL season: Fixture Release Date – Thursday 26 June 2025 at 9am. EFL Opening Weekends League One and League Two: Friday 1 August – Sunday 3 August Championship: Friday 8 August – Sunday 10 August Final games of the regular season – Weekend of 2/3 May 2026 Carbabao Cup Round One Draw – Thursday 26 June 2025 Carabao Cup Round One – w/c 11 August 2025 Carabao Cup Final – Sunday 22 March 2026 Vertu Trophy Group Stage Draw – Thursday 26 June 2025 Vertu Trophy Matchday One – w/c 1 September 2025 Vertu Trophy Final – Sunday 12 April 2026 Championship Play-Off Final – Saturday 23 May 2026 League One Play-Off Final – Sunday 24 May 2026 League Two Play-Off Final – Monday 25 May 2026.
