New EFL season to get underway on September 12
The new EFL season will get underway on September 12, it's been announced.
It means a quick turnaround for Norwich City who finish their Premier League campaign at Manchester City on Sunday, and Luton Town who played their last Championship fixture in midweek.
Both clubs will be in the second tier next season following Norwich's relegation and Luton's great escape.
For clubs further down the pyramid though, it's been a long wait for a return to competitive action after League One and League Two clubs voted to end their seasons because of the pandemic.
Peterborough United were among the clubs strongly against that decision, and posting on Twitter, chairman Darragh MacAnthony said he was looking forward to getting back to being a 'football club' again.
There is still no guidance about when fans will be allowed back in stadiums, but the first few rounds of fixtures at least will be staged behind closed doors.
However, Prime Minister Boris Johnson did recently say that the government are hopeful some supporters will be allowed to attend games from October - providing trial events go well.
That would come as a huge relief for League One and League Two clubs in particular who rely heavily on matchday revenue generated from their gate receipts.
The season will end on 8 and 9 May, with the play-off finals scheduled for the Spring Bank Holiday weekend at the end of that month.