The new League One campaign kicks off on Friday night when relegated Luton take on promoted Wimbledon.
As usual, there are plenty of storylines ahead of the new campaign – from fallen giants aiming for an immediate return to the Championship to newly promoted clubs determined to stay up.
101greatgoals has you covered for everything you need to know as the 2025-26 campaign finally gets underway.
Promotion Favourites
After enduring back-to-back relegations, Luton will hope this season marks a turning point.
Despite their struggles, there is still plenty of top-end quality at Kenilworth Road.
Defender Teden Mengi looks capable of delivering at this level, while Milleric Alli brings a crucial attacking spark that was missing in the Championship.
Crucially, head coach Matt Bloomfield knows this division well and will hope to secure an immediate return to the second division.
Cardiff City, also relegated from the Championship, have turned to Brian Barry-Murphy to steady the ship and halt their decline.
Last year’s play-off disappointment hasn’t dampened Stockport County’s ambition.
They lost striker Isaac Olaofe to Charlton but broke their transfer record to sign Malik Mothersille from Peterborough.
Holding on to highly rated duo Ethan Pye and Lewis Bate will be key to their hopes of going one better this time around.
Huddersfield Town have taken a gamble with former Stoke goalkeeper Lee Grant in his first managerial role.
He has focused on adding experience, with Ryan Ledson, Murray Wallace, Lynden Gooch and Alfie May all coming in.
Plymouth Argyle are now under Tom Cleverley following their drop, while Wycombe will be desperate to keep hold of Richard Kone for their own promotion push.
Playoff Contenders
Blackpool boss Steve Bruce has strengthened his side with defenders Fraser Horsfall and Michael Ihiekwe, hoping to ensure he doesn’t spend another year in the third tier.
After a turbulent season off the pitch, Reading have new ownership under Rob Couhig, and a calmer atmosphere could translate to results on the field.
Bolton Wanderers, eighth last season, will be looking for progress under Steven Schumacher.
Exciting loan arrivals Teddy Sharman-Lowe and Amario Cozier-Duberry will help soften the blow of losing captain George Thomason to Wrexham.
Leyton Orient fell just short in last year’s play-off final and have since seen Jamie Donley and several other loan players depart.
Their big new addition could be Jack Moorhouse, a promising midfielder from Manchester United.
Rotherham, 13th last term, have trimmed their wage bill and refreshed their squad under Matt Hamshaw.
Barnsley manager Conor Hourihane has leaned on the loan market, while Wigan Athletic’s Ryan Lowe will be looking to Paul Mullin as the talisman for a top six push.
Lincoln and Mansfield could also be surprise packages.
Fighting the Drop
Doncaster Rovers, winners of League Two last season, have recruited Connor O’Riordan to replace Joseph Olowu, who joined Stockport.
Port Vale boss Darren Moore, whose side came up as runners-up, has been busy bringing in a mix of youth and experience to try and consolidate their position at a higher level.
Bradford City, the third automatic promotion side, will be looking to do more than just survive, with Ibou Touray and Max Power adding much-needed know-how in the EFL.
Wimbledon, who won the play-offs, are back in League One for the seventh time and will hope to stay clear of trouble this time around.
Elsewhere, Burton Albion manager Gary Bowyer aims to build on last season’s escape, while Exeter, Northampton and Stevenage will be wary of slow starts.
Three Players to Watch
Andre Garcia (Reading, 17) – The teenage left-back already has 38 League One appearances and an England Under-18 call-up. Scouts are circling but the club will be hoping to keep him onboard as the season gets underway.
Benony Breki Andresson (Stockport, 19) – After developing in Bologna’s academy, the Icelandic striker made an immediate impact last season with four goals in 11 games. He will be looking to push on this term.
Cian Ashford (Cardiff, 20) – A homegrown talent who has become a regular. Under Barry-Murphy’s guidance, he could take another big step forward.
Josh Keeley (Luton, 22) – The Irish goalkeeper has just joined from Tottenham after an impressive loan spell with Leyton Orient last season. He will be the key to plugging Luton’s leaky defence which sent them down last season.
