The EFL season is now underway, and all 72 teams have their campaigns ahead mapped out. But as a supporter, do you?
Our EFL key dates guide provides an overview of the 2025/26 EFL season. Check it out below.
/https%3A%2F%2Ffootballgroundguide.com%2Fapp%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F01%2FFootball-supporters-meet-with-EFL-bosses.jpg "EFL key dates 2025-26: Carabao Cup round dates and more 1")
What was fixture release day for the EFL?
The English Football League (EFL) is a system of three divisions in the English football pyramid: Championship, League One, and League Two. EFL is responsible for all fully professional leagues in English football, except for the Premier League, which will release its fixture list on a different date.
The fixture release date is when all 72 teams in the Championship, League One and League Two discover their league schedule for the season ahead. This year, the fixture release day for the 2025/26 EFL season was on Thursday, 26 June 2025.
🗓️ Get all of your Club's 2025/26 fixtures direct to your ECAL! 📱#EFL | #EFLFixtureReleaseDay
— EFL (@EFL) June 26, 2025
EFL Cup and the EFL Trophy draw date
In addition to the three divisions we mentioned above, the EFL is also responsible for the Carabao Cup (EFL Cup) and the Vertu Trophy (EFL Trophy).
The draws for the opening round of the Carabao Cup and the group stages of the Vertu Trophy also took place on Thursday, 26 June.
How to access the fixtures?
If you're interested in getting the full away guide for 2025/26 EFL, check our posts with EFL key dates below.
- Championship fan guide to away matches for the 2025/26 season.
- League One fan guide to away matches for the 2025/26 season.
- League Two fan guide to away matches for the 2025/26 season.
You can also sync your calendar with the EFL's ECALs, which will allow all the fixtures to drop into your calendar. For additional information, check EFL.com for all the key dates and exclusive content.
When will the 2025/26 EFL season start?
The 2025/26 EFL season will officially begin over the weekend of 1-3 August with League One and League Two matches, while the first round of the Championship will be played the weekend after.
The first round of the Carabao Cup will be played during the week of 11 August, while the Vertu Trophy Group Stage will start with the first round played during the week of 1 September.
🏆 The Round One draw 👇#EFL | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/7SLqH8yXlt
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) June 26, 2025
EFL key dates 2025/26
Summer transfer window:
- Open: 1 June to 10 June (7:00 pm)
- Close: 10 June (7:01 pm) to 16 June (12:01 am)
- Re-open: 16 June to 1 September (7:00 pm)