Confirmed pre-season games, transfer window start, and fixture release - The upcoming key dates for Blackpool FC

It’s been over a month since the 2025/26 campaign came to a close - and it’s nearly time for Blackpool to turn their attention to the next season.

Last term was a disappointment for the Seasiders, with the majority of the past nine months spent fighting relegation, despite last summer’s ambitions of promotion.

There were some mitigating factors, alongside mistakes to learn from next time around.

Ian Evatt’s side were able to finish with a bit of positivity, with a run of 22 points from their final nine games providing a glimpse of what could’ve been, as well as pulling the club safely away from the bottom four to a 13th place finish.

Here’s some of the key dates that are coming up for next season’s preparations:

The start of the transfer window (June 15)

Clubs in the EFL can officially get their transfer business underway from next Monday.

Blackpool made a number of high-profile signings 12 months ago, including a £1million deal for Dale Taylor.

They will be hoping some of last year’s additions will come good consistently second time around, while recruiting precisely to get the players that Evatt needs to play the style of football he desires.

Fixture release day (June 25)

Clubs across the EFL will discover their fixtures for the 2026/27 campaign on June 25.

League games will be confirmed at 12pm, while the draw for the first round of the EFL Cup will take place live on Sky Sports News later in the day.

First scheduled pre-season friendly (July 11)

Earlier this week, the Seasiders confirmed their first pre-season game would take place away to AFC Fylde on July 11.

Similar to last summer, the club could head off to a training camp prior to this, with the players expected to report back to Squires Gate at the end of this month.

Beyond the short trip to Mill Farm, Evatt’s side will also face Barrow at Holker Street on July 25 - which leaves a gap for another friendly the weekend before.

Opening weekend (7-9 August)

This season’s campaign will get underway with the first round of the League Cup - which will take place across the second weekend in August.

League One start date (14-16 August)

League One kicks off the following week, with Blackpool’s opening game likely to be on August 15.

The Seasiders started last season with a 3-2 defeat against Stevenage at Bloomfield Road, while 12 months prior to that they were defeated away to Crawley.

EFL Trophy opening round (W/C September 21)

The group stages of this year’s EFL Trophy starts on the week commencing September 21, with the draws set to be made on fixture release day.