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It has been just over a month since the 2025/26 League One season came to an end, with Bolton Wanderers beating Stockport County in the playoff final, but the fixtures for the upcoming campaign have now been released and the countdown to the opening game is underway.
The summer transfer window is open and a number of clubs have already made new signings, while most fans have been kept busy with the ongoing 2026 World Cup which is being held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
However, League One football will return in August and Football Ground Guide brings you all the key dates and information ahead of the 2026/27 League One season.
League One key dates 2026/27
Opening games of the season
The opening set of fixtures will take place on Saturday, August 15. The opening fixtures are as follows:
• Notts County vs Leicester City – 15/08/2026
• Oxford United vs Milton Keynes Dons – 15/08/2026
• Reading vs Luton Town – 15/08/2026
• Barnsley vs Bromley – 15/08/2026
• Blackpool vs Wycombe Wanderers – 15/08/2026
• Bradford City vs Peterborough United – 15/08/2026
• Burton Albion vs Stevenage – 15/08/2026
• Cambridge United vs Wigan Athletic – 15/08/2026
• Huddersfield Town vs AFC Wimbledon – 15/08/2026
• Leyton Orient vs Sheffield Wednesday – 15/08/2026
• Mansfield Town vs Doncaster Rovers – 15/08/2026
• Plymouth Argyle vs Stockport County – 15/08/2026
International breaks
The 2026/27 international breaks are as follows:
• September 21 – October 6: All
• November 9 – 17: All
• March 22 – 30: All
• January 7 – February 5: AFC Asian Cup
Key derby matches
Notable derby matches during the 2026/27 season include:
• AFC Wimbledon vs MK Dons – 19/09/2026
• MK Dons vs AFC Wimbledon – 17/04/2027
• Barnsley vs Sheffield Wednesday – 21/10/2026
• Sheffield Wednesday vs Barnsley – 20/03/2027
• Oxford United vs Reading – 29/08/2026
• Reading vs Oxford United – 06/02/2027
Festive fixtures
There was a full round of League One games played on Boxing Day last year and it will be the same again this year. The festive fixtures are as follows:
• Bradford City vs Stockport County – 26/12/2026
• Burton Albion vs Sheffield Wednesday – 26/12/2026
• Doncaster Rovers vs Wigan Athletic – 26/12/2026
• Huddersfield Town vs Blackpool – 26/12/2026
• Leicester City vs AFC Wimbledon – 26/12/2026
• Luton Town vs Bromley – 26/12/2026
• MK Dons vs Leyton Orient – 26/12/2026
• Mansfield Town vs Barnsley – 26/12/2026
• Notts County vs Cambridge United – 26/12/2026
• Oxford United vs Plymouth Argyle – 26/12/2026
• Peterborough United vs Wycombe Wanderers – 26/12/2026
• Stevenage vs Reading – 26/12/2026
Final weekend of the season
As per usual, all matches in the final round of the League One season will take place on the same day and at the same time. For the 2026/27 season, the final matchday is set for Saturday, May 8 2027. The final fixtures are as follows:
• AFC Wimbledon vs Notts County – 08/05/2027
• Bromley vs Plymouth Argyle – 08/05/2027
• Doncaster Rovers vs Reading – 08/05/2027
• Leicester City vs Cambridge United – 08/05/2027
• Luton Town vs Blackpool – 08/05/2027
• MK Dons vs Bradford City – 08/05/2027
• Peterborough United vs Leyton Orient – 08/05/2027
• Sheffield Wednesday vs Oxford United – 08/05/2027
• Stevenage vs Huddersfield Town – 08/05/2027
• Stockport County vs Mansfield Town – 08/05/2027
• Wigan Athletic vs Burton Albion – 08/05/2027
• Wycombe Wanderers vs Barnsley – 08/05/2027
How are League One fixtures decided?
The process takes a number of months, with the EFL and their ‘Fixtures Working Party' liaising with all clubs across their five leagues to compile the schedule.
During that time, they carefully consider requests and operational requirements from the clubs in a bid to please all parties. It is also worth noting that supporter groups are represented on the EFL's ‘Fixtures Working Party'.