EFL League One PREVIEW 15 Aug 2026: League One Kicks Off With Notts County v Leicester

Notts County's return to the third tier for the first time since 2014/15 opens with about as heavyweight a visitor as League One could offer. Notts sealed promotion by beating Chesterfield 1-0 on aggregate in the play-off semi-final, winning 1-0 at Chesterfield through Luker and drawing the return goalless, and then beating Salford City 3-0 in the final at Wembley. Leicester arrive at Meadow Lane, capacity 19,841, having fallen through two divisions in successive seasons: relegated from the Premier League in 2024/25 with five matches still to play, then relegated again from the Championship in 2025/26, finishing 23rd with 46 points after a six-point deduction for breaching profitability and sustainability rules, imposed on 5 February 2026 and unsuccessfully appealed.

Two more clubs open new League One chapters on the same Saturday. Oxford United host MK Dons at the Kassam Stadium in their first season back in the third tier after relegation from the Championship, having finished 17th in 2024/25 and then 22nd in 2025/26. MK Dons return after finishing second in League Two in 2025/26 with 86 points from 46 games, having been knocked off top spot only on the final day. At the Select Car Leasing Stadium, Reading begin a fourth consecutive League One season after finishing 12th in 2025/26 under new owners Redwood Holdings, whose takeover in May 2025 ended the Dai Yongge era. Luton, relegated into League One in 2024/25, recovered to finish seventh last term under Jack Wilshere, who was appointed on 13 October 2025 after Matt Bloomfield's departure, and added the EFL Trophy to the season at Wembley.

Bromley's trip to Oakwell is a landmark occasion for the visitors: having won the League Two title in 2025/26 with 87 points, sealed on 18 April 2026, they play third-tier football for the first time in the club's history. Barnsley, their hosts, finished 15th in 2025/26 under Conor Hourihane. At Bloomfield Road, Blackpool, who finished 13th last season under Ian Evatt following Steve Bruce's dismissal in October 2025, host Wycombe Wanderers, who finished 11th under Michael Duff, appointed on 18 September 2025.

Peterborough United travel to Valley Parade to face Bradford City looking to build on last season's 18th-place finish under Luke Williams, who took charge on 29 October 2025 following Darren Ferguson's dismissal. Stevenage go to the Pirelli Stadium to face Burton Albion having lost 3-0 on aggregate to Stockport County in last season's play-off semi-final, a 1-0 defeat away followed by a 2-0 loss at home, after finishing sixth under Alex Revell. Wigan Athletic visit the Abbey Stadium to face Cambridge United having finished 16th in 2025/26 under Gary Caldwell, who arrived from Exeter City in February to replace the sacked Ryan Lowe.

Huddersfield Town, in a third consecutive League One season under Liam Manning, who replaced Lee Grant in January 2026, host AFC Wimbledon, who finished 19th last term with Marcus Browne their top scorer on 12 league goals. Leyton Orient, who survived a difficult 2025/26 finishing 20th despite Dom Ballard's 23 goals making him the division's leading scorer, host Sheffield Wednesday, who were relegated from the Championship alongside Leicester City last season. Mansfield Town, tenth in 2025/26 in a season built on 17 draws, host Doncaster Rovers, playing a second consecutive season at this level after winning League Two in 2024/25. And at Home Park, Plymouth Argyle, eighth last term on 73 points with Stevenage taking the last play-off place on 75, host Stockport County, still absorbing a 4-1 play-off final defeat to Bolton Wanderers at Wembley on 24 May 2026 in which Rúben Rodrigues scored twice.