The EFL has confirmed several key dates for the 2025/26 campaign, including Fixture Release Day, and when the new season will get underway.With the Saddlers still very much in line for promotion to the third tier, there remains plenty of business still to conduct in the ongoing campaign.
The faithful will find out who their side will be taking on in either League One or League Two from 9.00am on Thursday, 26th June.
The League One and League Two campaigns will begin during the weekend commencing, Friday, 1st August 2025, with the Championship starting a week later.
Meanwhile, Fixture Release Day will also incorporate the draws for Round One of the Carabao Cup and the Vertu Trophy Group Stage, which will both take place live on Sky Sports News.
The Carabao Cup will begin in mid-August, with Newcastle United no doubt having a keen interest as the current holders of the competition following their famous victory against Liverpool at Wembley Stadium in March.
The Vertu Trophy will start in early September, with this season’s competition reaching its conclusion on Sunday, 13th April, with both Birmingham City and Peterborough United aiming to win the trophy for a third time.
2025/26 Key Dates
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
Carabao Cup
Round One Draw – Thursday 26 June 2025
Round One – w/c 11 August 2025
Final – Sunday 22 March 2026
Vertu Trophy
Group Stage Draw – Thursday 26 June 2025
Matchday One – w/c 1 September 2025
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
