Derby County announce key Championship dates for next season 2025-2026

Following the conclusion of the 2024/25 season, Derby County supporters can now look ahead to the 2025/26 campaign and Sky Bet Championship football at Pride Park Stadium for the second year in a row.

The highly anticipated fixture release day for the new campaign will take place at 12pm on Thursday, June 26, 2025.

The 2025/26 season will kick off over the weekend of August 8-10, in the Championship, a week after the start of the League One and League Two campaigns.

Fixture release day will also incorporate the draw for Round One of the Carabao Cup, which will take place live on Sky Sports News at 4.30pm, and the competition will kick off in mid-August.

The Sky Bet Play-Offs will take place over the 2026 May Bank Holiday Weekend, from May 23-25.

The scheduled 46 rounds of League matches will take place across 33 weekends, nine midweeks and four Bank Holidays in the Championship.

Here are key dates ahead of the 2025/26 EFL season

League Season

Fixture Release Date - Thursday June 26, 2025 at 12pm

Sky Bet Championship Opening Weekend

Friday August 8 2025 - Sunday August 10 2025

EFL Final games of the regular season

Weekend of May 2/3 2026

Carabao Cup

Round One Draw - Thursday June 26, 2025 at 4.30pm

Round One - w/c August 11 2025

Carabao Cup Final - Sunday March 22 2026

Championship Play-Off Final - Saturday May 23 2026

League One Play-Off Final - Sunday May 24 2026

League Two Play-Off Final - Monday May25 2026