Everything you need to know about League One fixture release day with Bristol Rovers, Bolton, and Derby waiting

Bristol Rovers will find out their 2023/24 schedule later this morning.

The Gas, along with their 23 league rivals, will get their full fixture list published at 9.00 am on Thursday, June 22. Rovers are into their second consecutive season in the third tier following their promotion in 2022.

Joey Barton wants to assemble a Rovers team capable of challenging for the play-offs. Rovers finished 17th, and a whole 24 points off the top six. They’ve yet to sign any new players, but have signed Josh Grant, Grant Ward, Harvey Greenslade and Ryan Jones to new contracts.

As well as their league fixtures, Rovers will also find out their final EFL Trophy opponents at 11.30 am, and then their Carabao Cup draw at 2.30 pm. Rovers face Cheltenham Town, Newport County, and a Premier League Under-21’s side in the EFL Trophy, meanwhile there are 33 teams to play against in the Carabao Cup.

The League One season is due to begin on Saturday, August 5, though there is an opportunity for a fixture to be televised. It’s unlikely however as the Championship games are usually shown ahead of third tier matches.

It’s not yet confirmed, but it is assumed that Rovers will be away from home for their first match. Bristol’s Balloon Fiesta is to take place on Thursday, August 10 to Sunday, August 13, and given it’s proximity to Ashton Gate, that usually means that Bristol City are usually made to play away from home. Both Bristol clubs rarely play at home on the same day, and so Rovers will likely be away first game, and home in the second week.

The Carabao Cup first round tie, which will be Rovers’ second game of the campaign is to take place on Tuesday, August 9 or Wednesday, August 10. September 4, 2013 is the last time there was a Bristol derby, but the two teams being drawn together is a possibility.

Cheltenham Town is Rovers’ closest league fixture this season with it being an 80.4 mile-round trip, whilst Carlisle United is the furthest with it being a 544.3 mile-round trip and back to Brunton Park.

As for games that could change, it is likely that their matches with Oxford United will change. Last season, both home home and away matches were played at 12.30 pm on the advice of the Thames Valley Police.

The regular season is likely to end on either Saturday, May 4, or Sunday, May 5. If you’re an ambitious Rovers fan then the play-off final is on Saturday, May 18.