Bristol Rovers key dates for League One campaign: Fixture release, season start and transfer windows

Bristol Rovers pre-season plans are beginning to take shape and fans are hopeful of a season of progression when the 2023/24 campaign begins.

Joey Barton is hopeful of bringing in up to four new players for the start of pre-season, but so far there has been next to nothing when it comes to transfer speculation. Josh Dacres-Cogley and Will Osula have been linked, meanwhile, Lewis Gibson is unlikely to rejoin after being offered new terms by Everton.

The Gas boss has spoken of his desire to take Rovers to the Championship, but there will have to be a big improvement to turn them from an 18th-placed side to a team that is capable of challenging for promotion. Rovers were in the play-off picture at around Christmas, but a less than favourable transfer window in January, along with a series of injuries saw them lose momentum.

Are you excited for next season? We’ve got all the key dates for the 2023/24 campaign right here for you.

When do the EFL fixtures come out?

The League One fixtures are released on Thursday, June 22 at 9.00 am. It’s a week after the Premier League come out.

When does the season start?

The 2023/24 League One campaign will take place on Saturday, August 4. There’s a possibility a game could be chosen for television but usually Championship games are shown instead.

Rovers are likely to be away for the first game of the season. The Bristol Balloon festival takes place on the second week of August, and that means Bristol City are usually away, so for their second game of the campaign, Rovers should play at the Memorial Stadium.

When does the season end and when are the play-offs?

It’s yet to be confirmed when the season will end, but it’s likely to be Saturday, May 4 or Sunday, May 5. The League One Play-Off Final is on Saturday, May 18, a whole eight days before the Championship.

When is the Carabao Cup draw?

Rovers went out in the first round to Crawley Town last year thanks to a goal from their former forward Tom Nicholls.

Round One of the Carabao Cup is set to take place on either Tuesday, August 8 or Wednesday, August 9. f you’re a hopeful Rovers fan, the final is on Sunday, February 25, 2024 and will be at Wembley Stadium.

The draw date is Tuesday, June 2 at 2.00 pm and will be broadcast on Sky Sports. The draw will be regionalised, and how that will sorted will be revealed closer to the time. Could see we a Bristol Derby?

When does the transfer window open?

No new signings yet, but all four players offered contracts have signed new terms. Lewis Gibson is unlikely to return after being offered a new contract by Everton.

The transfer window officially opens at midnight on Wednesday, June 14. Players contracts expire on Friday, June 30, but players who have been released are free to discuss moves to their next club now. The summer transfer window will close in England at 11pm on Friday September 1.

When does the FA Cup start?

Rovers enter at the first round stage, and went out to Boreham Wood last season. No date has been confirmed yet, but last year it was November 5. They’ve got two rounds to go if they want to set up an inter-city clash with Bristol City.

What about the EFL Trophy?

Joey Barton is hopeful of a cup run, as he wants to take Rovers to a Wembley Stadium final. The Papa John’s Trophy isn’t his favourite competition, but they got to the latter stages last season. The tournament is due to begin on Tuesday, September 4. The draw will take place at 11.30 am on Thursday, June 22.

What are Bristol Rovers pre-season plans?

Four fixtures have been released so far, with some gaps in between. The Gas players have a pre-season training base at a Royal Commandos camp, and will be put through some gruelling tests.

Their first match is set to take place against Melksham Town on Friday, June 30. Tickets are already on sale now, and are priced at £9 for adults, £7 for OAPs and £3 for Under-15’s with booking fees applied. A crowd of 2,100 was at the Oakfield Stadium last year, and the club have advised fans to buy tickets online to avoid disappointment.

A week later, Rovers face National League outfit Eastleigh at Silverlake Stadium on Saturday, July 8 with a 1.30 pm kick-off. Ticket details for this fixture will be announced in due course.

Rovers will travel to West London to face Brentford’s Development squad on Saturday, July 15 with full details on the venue, kick-off time and ticket details to be released in due course.

In the last week before the season begins, Rovers travel across the Severn Bridge to face Swansea City at theSwansea.com Stadium on Tuesday, July 25 with a kick-off time of 7.00 pm.