In this article we take a look at when the National League fixtures could be released now that the 2019/20 season has finally come to an end.
After 367 days, the longest domestic season in English non league football history finished with Harrogate Town winning the National League Playoff Final against Notts County at Wembley.
We also now officially know which team from League Two will be coming down after a lengthy saga between the EFL, Stevenage and Macclesfield Town, the latter officially going down, despite it initially being Boro.

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The season is scheduled to start on the 3rd of October and it is hoped clubs will be allowed to let some fans into stadiums, with pre-season friendlies already underway, but behind closed doors, meaning fans are losing matchday income.
But when is the fixture release day we all ask? Various reports have stated that the 8th of September will be the date, a little later than the Premier League and English Football League.
• The scheduled start date of the 2020/21 season is Saturday the 3rd of October 2020.
• 46 league fixtures will be scheduled in the National Division, and either 42 or 40 league fixtures will be scheduled in the North and South Divisions.
• The North and South Divisions will commence the season with The FA Cup Second Qualifying Round on Saturday the 3rd of October.
• The final league match of the normal season is scheduled for Saturday the 29th of May 2021.
• The end of season play-offs are scheduled to take place in June 2021.
The current plan allowing clubs to do so with reduced capacities for spectators.
However for some clubs, they will be unable to have as much supporters allowed through the turnstiles compared to others club with bigger stadiums.
For National League North outfit Darlington, that could mean re-opening their Blackwell Meadows stadium at just 17 per cent capacity – around 550 – when the club has in excess of 650 season ticket holders alone.
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Now Darlo’s chief executive David Johnston has urged their professional neighbours to help nearby non league sides maximise gate receipts in the coronavirus era.
The Quakers have already asked the league organisation for permission to return temporarily to their former home at the 25,500-seater Northern Echo Arena to allow their fans and travelling supporters to attend in greater numbers.
What is the fixture release date for the Premier League and EFL?
The dates for the 2020/21 season in the Premier League and across the Sky Bet English Football League will be announced by August the 21st.
The new Premier League campaign will start on the weekend of Saturday the 12th of September, and will finish on Sunday the 23rd of May.
The full fixture schedule, detailing all 380 Premier League matches, will be released no later than Friday, August the 21st, while the dates across the EFL will be released at 9am on August the 21st.
Premier League and EFL
- Fixture release day – 21 Aug 2020
- Season begins – 12 Sept 2020
- Sky Bet Championship Final Day – 8/9 May 2021
- Sky Bet League One Final Day – 8/9 May 2021
- Sky Bet League Two Final Day – 8/9 May 2021
Sky Bet Play-Offs
- Championship Play-Off Final – 29/31 May 2021.
- League One Play-Off Final – 29/31 May 2021.
- League Two Play-Off Final – 29/31 May 2021.
Carabao Cup 2020/21
- Round One – 5 September 2020 (alternative dates may apply)
- Round Two – 15/16 September 2020
- Round Three – 22/23 September 2020
- Round Four – 29/30 September 2020
- Round Five – 22/23 December 2020
- Semi-Finals – 5/6 January 2021 (tie to be played at the venue of Club drawn out first)
- Carabao Cup Final – 28 February 2021
EFL Trophy 2020/21
- EFL Trophy Matchday One – 8/9 September 2020
- EFL Trophy Matchday Two – 6/7 October 2020
- EFL Trophy Matchday Three – 10/11 November 2020
- Round of 32 – 8/9 December 2020
- Round of 16 – 12/13 January 2021
- Quarter-Finals – 2/3 February 2021
- Semi-Finals – 16/17 February 2021
- EFL Trophy Final – 14 March 2021
Now that you know when the National League fixtures could be released, who are you hoping your team will face in the first league game of the season? Let us know by commenting HERE.

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