When will Bristol Rovers' League Two fixtures be announced? Key dates revealed ahead of 2025/26 campaign
Bristol Rovers will aim to secure an immediate return to the third tier next season after ending this campaign with the heartbreak of relegation
Bristol Rovers start next season in a new league and under new management after the decision to sack Inigo Calderon following the team's relegation from League One.
The Gas hired Calderon on Boxing Day to help steady the ship after a poor start to the campaign under Matt Taylor. He arrived with the team in 19th position and at risk of relegation and was unable to inspire anything resembling a revival as the team suffered relegation in 22nd position.
Rovers have since re-appointed Darrell Clarke, a manager who took on the managerial reins during dark times more than a decade ago in 2014, before leading the Pirates to back-to-back promotions from National League to League One in consecutive seasons and then consolidating the team as a League One outfit.
Clarke has won five promotions in his managerial career so far, including two from the fourth tier to League One and will hope to add to that impressive record next season. But when does the 2025/26 League Two season begin and what are the key dates for fans to watch out for? Here’s all you need to know:
When does the 2025/26 League Two season start?
The EFL have confirmed that the 2025/26 season will kick off over the weekends of 1-3 August in League One and League Two and a week later in the Championship. Matches will be played over 33 weekends, five midweeks , eight Bank Holidays and International breaks.
Bristol Rovers will be targeting automatic promotion next term by finishing in one of the top three spots. However, if they do finish between fourth and seventh they will compete in the play-offs, with the final taking place at Wembley Stadium on Monday 25 May 2026.
Rovers last played in the play-offs in 2015 when Clarke was in charge. They defeated Grimsby Town on penalties at Wembley to secure promotion back into the Football League after one season at National League level. EFL fixture release day takes place on Thursday, 26 June, with the full schedule being confirmed at 12:00pm. Fixture release day will also incorporate the draws for Round One of the Carabao Cup and the Vertu Trophy Group Stage.
Rovers were eliminated in the first round of the Carabao Cup last term by Cardiff City and finished bottom of a group comprising Tottenham Under-21s, Swindon Town and Exeter City in the Vertu Trophy last season.
Bristol Rovers’ opening day record
Bristol Rovers started last season with a 1-0 victory over Northampton after a 94th minute strike from Bryant Bilongo. It marked the team’s first victory on the opening day of the season since the start of the 2011/12 campaign when goals from Scott McGleish, Matt Harrold and Adam Virgo helped the club secure a 3-2 away victory against Wimbledon at League Two level.
Rovers have historically been slow starters on the opening day but will be determined to hit the ground running under returning boss Clarke. Clarke said he was returning to the Memorial Stadium not for "sentimental" reason but to win. "I like to think they know now my heart's in the right place and I will be doing my upmost to make sure we bring success to the football club first and foremost," he said, via BBC Sport.