New EFL season gets under way... for four teams

What the report says

The 2026-27 EFL season begins in a limited way this weekend with the preliminary round of the Carabao Cup, a necessary extra stage because there are nine Premier League clubs involved in European competition. BBC Sport reports that only four teams are in action at this point, with the two winners progressing to the first round proper next week to join clubs from the Championship, League One and League Two.

The first tie is Tranmere Rovers against Rochdale on Saturday. Rochdale are back in the EFL after three seasons away, having secured promotion in dramatic fashion last season. Tranmere, who stayed up by two points, have appointed Darrell Clarke as manager and added experienced winger Tom Ince as they try to improve. Rochdale also have a new manager, with Ian Watson taking over after Jimmy McNulty left for Stockport.

On Monday, York City host Crawley Town in the other preliminary match. York return to competitive action after a tense National League finale that sent them back into the EFL, but they do so under new head coach Scott Lindsey, who replaced Stuart Maynard this week. Lindsey previously managed Crawley and led them to promotion to League One. Crawley are now led by Colin Kazim-Richards, who was appointed on a longer deal after keeping the club in League Two on the final day last season.

The winners will face Watford or Bradford in the next round, depending on the tie.