2026/27 Football Fixtures Released: Key Dates, Opening Weekend Fixtures & Season Start Guide

Published June 2026 · Data: 2026/27 season · Premier League → · Championship →

The wait is over. Fixtures are now confirmed across the Premier League, Championship, League One, League Two and the National League — and away-day planners can finally start mapping out their 2026/27 season.

With fixture release day now behind us, supporters across the country can begin booking trains, hotels and travel well in advance. Here's everything you need to know: season start dates, opening weekend fixtures by division, transfer window deadlines, and the away days that are already generating the most excitement.

When Were the 2026/27 Fixtures Released?

Fixture release dates varied across the English football pyramid:

2026/27 Season Start Dates

The new campaign gets underway at different points depending on the division, with the National League leading the way for the second consecutive summer.

The Premier League is starting a week later than usual to allow players additional recovery time following the 2026 FIFA World Cup — creating a two-week gap between the National League kick-off and the top-flight opener.

Premier League Opening Weekend

Defending champions Arsenal kick off the 2026/27 Premier League season by hosting newly promoted Coventry City under the Friday night lights at the Emirates — the Sky Blues' return to the top flight after years away. The standout fixture of the weekend is arguably Newcastle United against Liverpool at St James' Park on Sunday.

For travelling supporters, Coventry's trek to North London and the army of Liverpool fans heading to Tyneside are already shaping up as two of the most popular early away days of the season. See full Premier League away miles data →

Championship Opening Weekend

The Championship gets underway a week earlier on 14 August, with a Friday night opener between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers. The most anticipated fixture across the opening weekend is the all-Welsh clash between Cardiff City and Wrexham on the Bank Holiday Monday — a fixture that has attracted enormous national interest since Wrexham's rise through the pyramid.

Elsewhere, Burnley host West Ham United in a clash of two recently relegated sides who will both be targeting an immediate return. See full Championship away miles data →

League One Opening Weekend

League One features one of the more unusual opening fixtures anywhere in the pyramid: Leicester City — still one of the best-supported clubs in England — making the trip to Notts County. The away following will be enormous. Sheffield Wednesday visit Leyton Orient in another fixture that will see a substantial travelling support. See full League One away miles data →

It's also worth noting that Plymouth Argyle are in League One again this season — which, as ever, makes for one of the most punishing travel schedules in the entire football pyramid. Read why Plymouth fans are the most dedicated travellers in English football →

League Two Opening Weekend

League Two sees the return of York City to the EFL after their promotion from the National League, with a home game against Bristol Rovers among the most anticipated fixtures. Rochdale also return to the Football League and make the trip to face Newport County. See full League Two away miles data →

National League 2026/27

The National League kicks off first, on Saturday 8 August 2026. The full fixture list wasn't released until 10 July, but the season promises another intensely competitive campaign across 24 clubs fighting for the one automatic promotion spot and a play-off place. A significant broadcasting change also takes effect this season, with DAZN becoming the exclusive streaming home of National League football.

2026/27 Transfer Window Dates

For fans tracking squad changes as they plan their away day expectations, here are the key transfer window dates:

Clubs will have over a week of transfer activity remaining after the Premier League season begins, meaning squads may look different by the time the second round of fixtures arrives.

Planning Your Away Day Season

Now that fixtures are confirmed across all divisions, it's the perfect time to tot up your away day miles for the season. Use our My Miles Calculator to see how far you'll travel following your club, check the full miles rankings table, or see how your club's away schedule compares to others on the league overview pages.

Curious which clubs have the most punishing travel schedule? See our full rankings of which club travels furthest in English football → And if your club has been promoted or relegated, find out what that does to your away day miles →

Key Dates for Your Football Travel Calendar

• 19 June 2026 — Premier League fixtures released
• 25 June 2026 — EFL fixtures released
• 10 July 2026 — National League fixtures released
• 7–9 August 2026 — Carabao Cup First Round
• 8 August 2026 — National League season starts
• 14 August 2026 — EFL season starts
• 21 August 2026 — Premier League season starts
• 1 September 2026 — Summer transfer window closes (11pm)
• 1 January 2027 — Winter transfer window opens
• 1 February 2027 — Winter transfer window closes (11pm)