What are the key dates for the 2026-27 football season?

What are the key dates for the 2026-27 football season?ByJonty ColmanBBC Sport journalistPublished18 minutes agoThe 2026-27 football season is under way, with the qualifying rounds of the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League all starting this week.Both the Premier League and all three divisions in the English Football League will start in August, as will the EFL Cup.The full league phases of the Champions League and Europa League start in September, with the Conference League beginning in October.The full rounds of the FA Cup start in November.There will be four international breaks this season instead of five. There are also major continental tournaments in Asia, Africa and North and Central America.Get in touchSend us your questionsContact formContact formWhat are the Premier League and EFL key dates?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Erling Haaland and his Manchester City teammates will begin their season in AugustPremier LeagueFriday, 21 August, 2026 – First match of the seasonSunday, 30 May, 2027 – Final day of the seasonChampionshipFriday, 14 August, 2026 – First match of the seasonSaturday, 1 May, 2027 – Final match of the seasonSaturday, 29 May, 2027 – Play-off finalLeague OneSaturday, 15 August, 2026 – First match of the seasonSaturday, 8 May, 2027 – Final match of the seasonSunday, 30 May, 2027 – Play-off finalLeague TwoSaturday, 15 August, 2026 – First match of the seasonSaturday, 8 May, 2027 – Final match of the seasonMonday, 31 May, 2027 – Play-off finalWhen is the FA Cup and EFL Cup?FA CupSaturday, 7 November, 2026 – First roundSaturday, 5 December, 2026 – Second roundSaturday, 9 January, 2027 – Third roundSaturday, 13 February, 2027 - Fourth roundSaturday, 6 March, 2027 – Fifth roundSaturday, 3 April, 2027 – Quarter-finalsSaturday, 24 April, 2027 – Semi-finalsSaturday, 22 May, 2027 - FinalEFL CupFriday, 7 August – Monday, 10 August, 2026 – First roundWeek commencing Monday, 24 August 2026 – Second roundWeek commencing Monday, 7...