With the 2015/16 now coming to a close, The Football League have today confirmed some key dates for the 2016/17, which promises to be yet another exciting campaign.
The newly-branded Sky Bet EFL will kick-off on the weekend of Saturday 6th August 2016 but, before that, the all-important fixture release day will take place on 22nd June 2016.
The opening round of matches will be immediately followed by the first round of the League Cup, during the week commencing 8th August 2016, while Round 1 of the League Trophy will take place during the week commencing 29th August 2016.
The Christmas period is always an exciting time and there will be the usual bumper festive schedule in the Sky Bet EFL, with matches being held on Boxing Day, New Year's Eve, and on Monday 2nd January 2017.
After the League Cup Semi-Finals in January, the showpiece final of the competition will be held on Sunday 26th February 2017, followed by the League Trophy Final on Sunday 2nd April 2017.
Matchday 46 – the final round of games – in Sky Bet League One will take place on Sunday 30th April 2017, while the Sky Bet Championship and Sky Bet League Two will come to a close on Saturday 6th May 2017.
The Sky Bet Play-Off Finals will be played over split weekends due to the FA Cup Final taking place on Saturday 27th May 2017.
As a result, the Sky Bet League One Play-Off Final will take place the previous Saturday (20th May), with the Sky Bet League Two Play-Off Final on Sunday 28th May 2017 and the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final being played on Monday 29th May 2017.