EFL 2025-26 Season: Key Opening Fixtures Revealed

Sports news » EFL 2025-26 Season: Key Opening Fixtures Revealed

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The 2025-26 English Football League (EFL) season is set to kick off with intriguing matchups across the Championship, League One, and League Two. Wrexham`s much-anticipated return to the second tier after 43 years will begin away at recently relegated Southampton on Saturday, August 9.

The Championship season officially starts the day before, on Friday, August 8, when Birmingham City, famously part-owned by Tom Brady, will host Ipswich Town. Both newly promoted clubs face what appear to be challenging opening tests in the division. Meanwhile, relegated Leicester City will look to build early momentum when they face Sheffield Wednesday on August 10.

A week earlier, the League One season gets underway. The opening fixture on Friday, August 1, sees relegated Luton Town take on promoted AFC Wimbledon at Kenilworth Road. In League Two, a notable fixture could be the return of Barnet to the Football League, hosting Fleetwood Town the following day.

Attention will naturally turn to the Championship the following week, particularly to Wrexham, who have gained global prominence since their takeover by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Having started their National League campaign away at Eastleigh in Hampshire back in August 2022, they now face a significant trip to Southampton, a side widely considered among the bookmakers` favorites for automatic promotion.

Close behind Southampton in the promotion odds are both Ipswich and Birmingham. Birmingham`s rise from League One was impressive, achieving a record 111 points. The involvement of high-profile owners like Brady, Reynolds, and McElhenney brought considerable attention to the third tier last season, and the “Hollywood derbies” between Birmingham and Wrexham are sure to be highlights this season. Birmingham is set to welcome Wrexham to St. Andrew`s on October 4, with the reverse fixture in Wales scheduled for April 11.

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Five EFL Fixtures to Watch Out For

1. Luton Town vs. AFC Wimbledon — August 1

This match serves as a captivating start to the League One season. Just two years ago, Luton was preparing for the Premier League, and now they must navigate a challenging season in the third tier. Despite potentially being promotion favorites, the division is notoriously tough, as teams like Sunderland can attest. For Wimbledon, returning to League One means survival is key, and an upset against a big team like Luton would be an ideal start.

2. Leicester City vs. Sheffield Wednesday — August 10

Will Leicester smoothly transition back to the Championship under Ruud van Nistelrooy? His future seemed uncertain after their Premier League relegation, but he remains in charge as a new era begins without Jamie Vardy. Compounded by a potential points deduction for spending breaches, a poor start against Sheffield Wednesday could signal a very difficult season ahead for the Foxes.

3. Southampton vs. Portsmouth — September 13

One of English football`s fiercest rivalries is rekindled after nearly six years. While their last meeting was an EFL Cup tie, this time the South Coast derby features both teams as equals in the same league for the first time since the 2011-12 season. Expect high tension, intense moments, and thunderous tackles.

4. Ipswich Town vs. Norwich City — October 4

The Old Farm derby is another classic fixture, regularly appearing on the calendar and always engrossing. This season, it carries potential implications beyond local bragging rights. Ipswich are favored to return to the Championship, but Norwich also harbors ambitions for the upper half of the league. Liam Manning showed his capabilities at Bristol City, and despite potential player departures, Norwich possesses talent.

5. Wrexham vs. Middlesbrough — May 2

Predicting the outcome of the Championship, especially the final day, is incredibly difficult. However, the last day of the regular season is always filled with drama as teams battle for automatic promotion, playoff spots, and survival. This final match could potentially see Wrexham and Middlesbrough vying for a place in the top six.