Longest away days in English football 2026-27: Premier League to National League

This summer's football headlines were dominated by World Cup 2026, but as club action begins to kick off in England, fans will be turning their attention to planning for the country's longest away days.

With Sunderland thriving in the Premier League last season after their promotion via the Championship playoffs, the top-flight calendar has both Tyne-Wear derby contestants representing the north east, and their showdowns against Bournemouth and Brighton will be amongst the lengthiest round trips.

However, the lower divisions – particularly the National League – will test supporter loyalty with a number of arduous journeys, most notably when Carlisle United face teams from the south.

Wondering which trip tops the list? Read on as Football Ground Guide takes a look at the longest away days in English football during the 2026-27 season, ranging from the Premier League to the fifth tier.

10. Carlisle United ↔ Southend United – National League – 654 miles (12/09/26 & 20/03/27)

Given that Carlisle is located just south of the Scottish border, away days to face the club make for notoriously long trips.

In 2026-27, the Blues will be coming up against Southend United in the National League, meaning that fans will need to make a journey from the northwest to the southeast of England, all the way down to the Thames Estuary in Essex – a round trip of 654 miles.

9. Carlisle United ↔ Sutton United – National League – 660 miles (28/11/26 & 24/04/27)

Ninth on the list is another Carlisle fixture, this time against Sutton United, whose home ground of Gander Green Lane can be found in the south of London by the Surrey border.

Supporters making the 660-mile round trip will take the M6 to M1 corridor in full, as part of their journey between the southeast and northwest.

8. Carlisle ↔ Eastleigh – National League – 662 miles (19/09/26 & 20/02/27)

A hat-trick for Carlisle, here! This time, the round trip to Brunton Park will see travellers rack up 662 miles.

The journey to National League rivals Eastleigh's Ten Acres ground stops a short distance from Southampton, near the Solent.

7. Sunderland ↔ Brighton & Hove Albion – Premier League – 670 miles (10/10/26 & 08/05/27)

The first Premier League fixture on this list involves fans travelling 670 miles on a round trip between the cities of Sunderland and Brighton, a journey that requires supporters to either go through or around London.

The Stadium of Light and the Amex Stadium are found at opposite ends of England, the former by the North Sea and the latter by the Channel.

6. Carlisle ↔ Yeovil Town – National League – 674 miles (15/08/26 & 23/01/27)

As if they were jealous of being out of the spotlight for one ranking, Carlisle come in again at number six with their National League fixtures against Yeovil Town.

A 674-mile trip down the M6 and M5 on the west of England awaits fans heading between Brunton Park and Huish Park, which can be found in Somerset.

5. Sunderland ↔ Bournemouth – Premier League – 684 miles (17/10/26 & 15/05/27)

Returning to the Premier League, Sunderland's showdowns against Bournemouth will see fans embark on the fifth-longest away day anywhere in English football during 2026-27.

Weighing in at 684 miles there and back, supporters will be travelling between Wearside on the northeast coast and the Vitality Stadium by the Dorset coast.

4. Newcastle United ↔ Brighton – Premier League – 692 miles (28/11/26 & 30/01/27)

Newcastle United's location on Tyneside means that their away days to face Brighton are slightly longer than those of their bitter rivals Sunderland.

A round trip from St James' Park to Brighton adds up to around 692 miles, given that fans will need to make their way down the east of England, including going around or through the capital.

3. Newcastle ↔ Bournemouth – Premier League – 700 miles (05/09/26 & 13/03/27)

The Magpies' showdowns with Bournemouth will be the longest away day in the Premier League this season, at roughly 700 miles all-in-all.

A journey between Tyneside and the Dorset coast is no mean feat, and supporters making the trip will do well to keep their energy up for the match!

2. Gateshead ↔ Worthing – National League – 702 miles (03/10/26 & 19/12/26)

Coming in at number two on this list is the National League fixture between Gateshead and division debutants Worthing, which will require fans to make a 702-mile journey.

Gateshead International Stadium can be found close to the south bank of the Tyne (near Newcastle), while Worthing's Woodside Road ground is in West Sussex.

1. Carlisle ↔ Worthing – National League – 722 miles (08/08/26 & 30/01/27)

Tickets for our opening @NL_Enterprise home fixtures are now on sale 💪

— Carlisle United (@officialcufc) July 17, 2026

The longest away day in English football for 2026-27 will see supporters embark on a 722-mile expedition between Carlisle and Worthing in the National League.

Carlisle – the star of our list – sits just 10 miles from the Scottish border in Cumbria, while Worthing's home is on the Channel coast, making for a trip that surpasses any other in the country's football pyramid.