It’s something Sunderland fans hope they don’t to pay much attention to come August, but the EFL have confirmed the start dates of the 2025-26 season.
The Black Cats are looking to seal their place in the Premier League under Regis Le Bris, with a play-off spot now the very minimum they will hope for before the current campaign ends. Sunderland are hot on the heels of Leeds United and Sheffield United in the automatic promotion places, and just behind Burnley in fourth place in Championship table.
Only a place in the top two will guarantee promotion, of course, but with the Wearsiders now 14 points ahead of fifth-placed Blackburn Rovers, only a spectacular collapse will see them fall out of the top six and the play-off places. However, should Sunderland miss out on a spot in the top flight, they now know when the new season will get under way.
The EFL have confirmed that the Championship season will get under way on the weekend of August 9/10 2025. That’s a week later than League One and League Two, which will kick-off on the weekend of August 2/3 2025. Other dates, such as the final weekend, the Carabao Cup schedule and FA Cup dates are yet to be confirmed. The first round of the Carabao Cup traditionally takes place in the first midweek of the season, but further details will be released soon.
Sky Sports is likely to pick several games for live TV broadcast, with the potential for a curtain-raiser on Friday, August 8, and several 12.30pm kick-offs on the Saturday.
The dates for this season’s play-off finals have also been confirmed, with the Championship showdown – often dubbed as the richest game in football – scheduled for Saturday, May 24, 2025. The League One final will take place on Sunday, May 25, with the League Two final on Monday, May 26.
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