EFL weighing July start for next season to protect League Cup schedule
League bosses are exploring earlier kick-off options amid a congested international and European calendar, with a decision to follow club consultations
The English Football League is considering bringing the start of next season forward into July as it searches for space to stage League Cup fixtures amid an increasingly congested calendar, Daily Mail Sport reported.
One option under consideration would see the campaign opened with the League Cup on the first weekend of August; if any ties were scheduled for a Friday, that would effectively mean a July 31 start. League officials are understood to be weighing a number of permutations and expect the EFL board to make a decision after extensive consultation with clubs.
The proposal comes as fixture scheduling faces heightened pressure from the expanded Champions League, the Club World Cup and the staging of the next World Cup in the summer. Next summer’s World Cup final is scheduled for July 19, and a merged three-week international break in September would further reduce available midweeks for domestic cup ties. Those factors, the report said, have complicated efforts to ensure League Cup matches are played before English teams enter European competition.
Clubs have voiced concerns that an earlier domestic start could curtail opportunities to stage lucrative pre-season friendlies against elite opposition. The slot under consideration would also fall well ahead of the Premier League, which is expected to begin on August 21, leaving a window commonly used for exhibition matches.
The League Cup remains an important revenue source for EFL clubs. This season required a preliminary round because nine Premier League clubs were involved in European competition, and organizers kept clubs engaged in the Champions League and Europa League apart in Round Three to avoid clashes with split midweek European ties that could make scheduling a domestic cup fixture impossible.
Historically, the EFL has adjusted its calendar in response to major international events: the 2022 season began in July because of the Qatar World Cup being staged in winter. This season, Leagues One and Two kicked off on the weekend of Aug. 1-3, with the Championship starting Aug. 8-11.
An EFL spokesperson declined to comment on the report. Any formal change would require sign-off from the EFL board and follow consultation with member clubs about competitive, commercial and logistical implications.