It’s that time of the year, where EFL fans start to cross off dates and start to properly look forward to the opening day of a brand-new season as it edges ever closer, with League One starting on 1st August, League Two starting the day after, and the Championship season starting a week later, on the 8th of August. So, lets have a look at the top 5 opening fixtures in the EFL!
All timings are in BST and could be subject to change in the case of exceptional circumstances
5. MK Dons vs Oldham Athletic – Saturday 2nd August – 15:00
Oldham Athletic mark their much awaited return to the EFL after a three-year absence with a very tricky trip to Stadium MK to face MK Dons who are title favourites despite a very poor season last time out, finishing 19th, but have massively improved their squad so far this season, signing the likes of Nathaniel Mendez-Laing from Derby County and Aaron Collins, who was Bolton Wanderers’ top scorer last season, netting 19 goals in all competitions.
The Latics on the other hand, secured promotion back to the EFL via a thrilling playoff win against Southend United and could throw up a few surprises, hence why this is the standout League Two fixture for me.
4. Luton Town vs AFC Wimbledon – Friday 1st August – 20:00
We now move on to EFL League One, as relegated Luton Town start their bid for an instant return to the second division by hosting League Two playoff winners AFC Wimbledon, who returned to the 3rd division at the third attempt by beating Walsall in the final at Wembley Stadium. The Hatters, however, are the title favourites and it is clear to see why as at the time of writing, they still have a lot of players in their squad from their Premier League campaign.
That squad just never recovered from relegation last season, leading to the club becoming the first since Sunderland in 2018 to suffer back-to-back relegations. Losing Carlton Morris, who has been acting as captain in the absence of Tom Lockyer, to Derby County is a big blow with the move being announced on Thursday evening, but they still possess quality all over the pitch, with the likes of Thomas Kaminski, Alfie Doughty, and Elijah Adebayo all still at the club.
3. Southampton vs Wrexham – Saturday 9th August – 12:30
The first of two Championship fixtures to feature on this list, as Wrexham open up their first season in the second tier since 1982 at St Mary’s Stadium against recently relegated Southampton, who are looking to bounce back to the Premier League after an extremely disappointing season under Russell Martin initially and then Ivan Juric, who was unable to turn things around.
Under Will Still however, there is growing optimism that the Saints can bounce straight back, especially with uncertainty looming over potential promotion rivals Leicester City. Wrexham, owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, are likely to set ambitious targets and could be aiming for an unprecedented fourth promotion in a row. It is certainly the standout Saturday game, and one that will certainly test both managers.
2. Birmingham City vs Ipswich Town – Friday 8th August – 20:00
What a way to start the 2025/2026 Championship season. A Friday night under the lights at St Andrews Stadium as Birmingham City make their return to the EFL against title favourites Ipswich Town who, at this moment of time, still possess a massive amount of quality in their squad and have one of the best managers, if not the best manager, in the division in Kieran McKenna despite relegation from the Premier League in the Tractor Boys’ first season back in the top flight since the 2001/2002 season, ending a 22-year absence.
However, with American-owned Birmingham City possessing massive quality as they come up with a squad which includes record signing Jay Stansfield, some people may not be surprised to see them as fourth favourites to win back-to-back promotions and play in the top flight for the first time since being relegated at the end of the 2010/2011 season. Whatever happens in Birmingham on that night, it promises to be an absolute blockbuster.
1. Bolton Wanderers vs Stockport County – Sunday 3rd August – 12:00
Get. Your. Popcorn. Out.
A local derby on opening weekend in League One, as Bolton Wanderers take on beaten play-off semi-finalists Stockport County, who lost out to beaten finalists Leyton Orient, in front of a bouncing crowd at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
The sides come into the season as fifth and sixth favourites to get automatically promoted out of an exceptionally strong League One, perhaps the strongest it has ever been, with the Wanderers hoping to improve on their 8th place finish last season after failing to win any of their last six games last season, which saw them drop out of the playoff race, finishing 10 points behind Leyton Orient, who claimed the last spot in the top six.
On the other hand, The Hatters be aiming to have another fantastic season and continue their exceptional rise in the EFL, having been in the National League North as recently as the 2018-2019 season.
They are also aiming to continue their run of finishing in the top 6 in their league every season since the 2020/2021 season, and every season under current manager Dave Challinor, who joined during the 2021/22 season.
Whoever gets appointed as the match officials for this game will have a tough one, as tempers are more than likely to flare up. It’s certainly a match that shouldn’t be missed and why it’s the best opening game in the EFL for this upcoming season, in my opinion.
