The new EFL League One season is fast approaching as sides continue their pre-season preparations and battle for players in the summer transfer window.
But with a new season comes change with new clubs, managers and players all set to take to the pitch.
We look ahead to the key dates, clubs, stadiums and information you need to know.
League One Clubs 2025/26
As usual there will be 24 teams competing in the league this season, 17 of which were in the division last season and they are joined by seven new teams (four from League Two and three from the Championship).
The sides that have remained in League One are as follows:
- Barnsley
- Blackpool
- Bolton Wanderers
- Burton Albion
- Exeter City
- Huddersfield Town
- Leyton Orient
- Lincoln City
- Mansfield Town
- Northampton Town
- Peterborough United
- Reading
- Rotherham United
- Stevenage
- Stockport County
- Wigan Athletic
- Wycombe Wanderers
Who has been relegated from the Championship?
Joining the League One roster from the Championship this year are:
- Luton Town
- Plymouth Argyle
- Cardiff City
Who has been promoted from League Two?
Four teams from League Two have been promoted to League One, three automatically and one via the play-offs.
- Doncaster Rovers
- Port Vale
- Bradford City
- AFC Wimbledon (play-offs)
What is the biggest stadium in League One next season?
League One will boast a number of large stadiums this year with one club holding a capacity of over 30,000, seven clubs over 20,000 and 17 clubs boasting over 10,000 capacity stadiums.
The biggest stadium next season will be Cardiff City’s Cardiff City Stadium at 33,280.
Here are the top 10 biggest stadiums in League One 2025/26
- Cardiff City – Cardiff City Stadium – 33280
- Bolton Wanderers – Toughsheet Community Stadium – 28723
- Wigan Athletic – Brick Community Stadium – 25138
- Bradford City – Valley Parade – 24840
- Reading – Madejski Stadium – 24161
- Huddersfield Town – Kirklees Stadium – 24121
- Barnsley – Oakwell – 23287
- Plymouth Argyle – Home Park – 17900
- Blackpool – Bloomfield Road – 16500
- Peterborough United – London Road Stadium – 15314
What is the smallest stadium in League One in the 25/26 season?
There are several clubs that have a reasonably modest capacity in League One with Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium currently the smallest at 6912.
Here are the top 5 smallest stadiums in League One 2025/26
- Burton Albion – Pirelli Stadium – 6912
- Stevenage – Broadhall Way – 7800
- Northampton Town – Sixfields Stadium – 8200
- Exeter City – St James Park – 8720
- Mansfield Town – Field Mill – 9186
What New Managers Can we Expect Next Season?
Several clubs have made the change over the summer, two of the relegated Championship clubs and one who played in League One last season.
- Cardiff City – Brian Barry-Murphy
- Huddersfield Town – Lee Grant
- Plymouth Argyle – Tom Cleverley
Who is the longest serving manager in League One?
Currently the longest serving manager (in their current spell) is Mansfield Town’s Nigel Clough who has been in charge for 4 years and 8 months. Over half of the current managers have been in situ for less than one year (13 out of 24).
Top Five Longest Serving Managers in League One
- Nigel Clough – Mansfield Town – 4 years 8 months
- Dave Challinor – Stockport County – 3 years 8 months
- Richie Wellens – Leyton Orient – 3 years 4 months
- Johnnie Jackson – AFC Wimbledon – 3 years 1 month
- Gary Caldwell – Exeter City – 2 years 8 months.
What are the key dates this season?
EFL League One Season Start Dates 2025
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Start Dates: Friday 1st August 2025 – Sunday 3rd August 2025
League One Final Games of the Season and Play-Offs
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Final Games: Weekend of 2nd/3rd May 2026
- League One Play-Off Final Sunday 24th May 2026 Wembley Stadium
EFL Trophy Dates / Vertu Trophy
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Group Stage Draw Date: Thursday 26th June 2025
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Matchday One: Week starting Monday 1st September 2025
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Vertu Trophy Final at Wembley: Sunday 12th April 2026
Carabao Cup Dates
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Round One Draw Date: Thursday 26th June 2025
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Round One Fixtures: Week starting Monday 11th August 2025
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Carabao Cup Final Date: Sunday 22nd March 2026 at Wembley Stadium
FA Cup Dates
- First Round Proper: Saturday 1 November 2025
- Second Round Proper: Saturday 6 December 2025
- Third Round Proper: Saturday 10 January 2026
- Fourth Round Proper: Saturday 14 February 2026
- Fifth Round Proper: Saturday 7 March 2026
- Quarter Final: Saturday 4 April 2026
- Semi-Final: Saturday 25 April 2026
- The Final: Saturday 16 May 2026
This guide will continue to be updated as and when more information is released.
Is there a League One Podcast we can listen to each week?
There are a whole host of podcasts available that cover their own specific clubs. However if you want a show that covers the previews and reviews of all the action across the third tier we recommend the League One Lowdown, which is available on both YouTube and Spotify (as well as all good streaming platforms).
Where can I find the latest news from across League One?
The Football Deck covers the majority of the major news from across League One, however you can find more news at Football League World, The72, the BBC and SkySports.