Watch promotional favourites, demoted battles, and players
The New League One campaign begins Friday night when Luton kicks out Wimbledon, who was promoted.
As always, there are many storylines before the new campaign – from the fallen Giants to newly promoted clubs that have decided to keep up with an immediate return to the championship.
101 Greatgoals covers everything you need to know as the 2025-26 campaign finally progresses.
Promotional Favorites
After enduring a back-to-back relegation, Luton hopes this season will mark a turning point.
Despite their struggle, Kenilworth Road still has a lot of top-end quality.
Defender Teden Mengi appears to be able to deliver at this level, but Milleric Ally brings a key offensive spark that was missing in the championship.
Importantly, head coach Matt Bloomfield knows the division well and wants to ensure an immediate return to Division 2.
Also, Cardiff City, who was relegated from the championship, turned to Brian Bally Murphy to stabilize the ship and stop its decline.
The disappointment of last year’s playoffs has not undermined Stockport County’s ambitions.
They lost striker Isaac Olaoff to Charlton, but broke their transfer records to sign Peterborough’s Malik Mazaille.
Holding highly acclaimed duo Ethan Pie and Lewis Bait will be key to their hopes that they will get even better this time.
The town of Huddersfield gambled with former Stoke goalkeeper Lee Grant in his first management position.
He has focused on adding experiences that Ryan Redson, Murray Wallace, Linden Gooch and Alfie May all incoming.
Plymouth Argyle is under Tom Cleverly after the drop, but Wyconve is desperate to hold Richard Cone for his own promotional push.
Playoff candidates
Blackpool boss Steve Bruce wants to bolster the sides of defenders Fraser Horsefall and Michael Ihiekwe, ensuring he doesn’t spend another year in the third tier.
After a season that was disrupted off the pitch, reading has new ownership under Rob Koohig, and a more gentle atmosphere could lead to field outcomes.
The Bolton Wanderers, the eighth last season, are looking for progress under Stephen Schumacher.
An exciting Loan arrival Teddy Sherman Law and Amario Kozier Dubery will help ease the blow of Captain George Thomason losing to Wrexham.
Layton Orient has been short of last year’s playoff finals and has since seen Jamie Donley and several other loan players leave.
Their big new addition is Manchester United’s up-and-coming midfielder Jack Moorehouse.
On the last 13th, Rotherham cut the wage bill and refreshed the team under Matt Hamshaw.
Barnsley’s manager Conor Hourihane has resorted to the loan market, while Wigan Athletic’s Ryan Lowe is looking for Paul Mullin as a top six push amulet.
Lincoln and Mansfield could also be a surprising package.
Fighting the drop
Last season’s League 2 winner, Doncaster Rovers, recruited Connor Oliordan to replace Joseph Owu, who joined Stockport.
Portvalle boss Darren Moore has appeared on his side, but is busy trying to combine young people with experience and integrate their status at a higher level.
The third automatic promotional side, Bradford City, is aiming to go beyond the fact that Ibou Tourey and Max Power add much needed know-how to the EFL, as well as survive.
Wimbledon, who won the playoffs, is back in League One for the seventh time and wants to avoid any trouble this time.
Elsewhere, Burton Albion manager Gary Bowyer is looking to escape last season, but Exeter, Northampton and Steve Nage will be wary of slow start.
Three players to watch
Andre Garcia (Reading, 17) – The teenage left back has already had 38 League One appearances and a call-up for under 18 years old. The scouts are turning, but as the season begins, the club hopes to keep him on board.
Benony Breki Andresson (Stockport, 19) – After developing at the Bologna academy, the Icelandic striker made an immediate impact last season with four goals in 11 games. He’s trying to push the term.
Cian Ashford (Cardiff, 20) – Homemade talent that has become a regular. Under Barry-Murphy’s guidance, he was able to take another big step.
Josh Keeley (Luton, 22) – The Irish goalkeeper just joined from Tottenham after an impressive Lawn Spell with Leighton Orient last season. He’s the key to plugging in the leaky defenses of Luton, who defeated them last season.