The 2026-27 EFL League One and Two season is underway, and what a start it's been! With 24 matches across the two divisions, the opening day has been full of drama, surprises, and a few upsets. From the high-flying Ravens aiming to stun the Tykes to the high-flying Ravens aiming to stun the Tykes, every game has had its own unique story to tell. But it's not just about the action on the pitch; it's also about the stories behind the teams and the players. So, let's dive into the highlights and talking points from the opening day of the season.
League Two: A Tale of Two Promoters
In League Two, the battle for promotion is always fierce, and this season is no different. Salford City, the play-off finalists from last season, have made it clear that promotion is their aim. They've sacked Karl Robinson and replaced him with former Malaysia boss Peter Cklamovski. With Macaulay Langstaff joining from Millwall, they're looking strong. But it's not just Salford who are aiming for promotion. York City, back in the EFL after a 10-year hiatus, are also in the mix. However, their new manager, Scott Lindsey, hasn't quite hit the right notes with the supporters yet.
League One: Titans and Underdogs
In League One, the titans are back, and the underdogs are ready to take on the giants. Leicester, who lifted the Premier League trophy a decade ago, are now in the third tier for the first time since 2009. Sheffield Wednesday, back under new ownership, are also in the mix. But it's not just about the big names. Bromley, last season's League Two champions, have secured promotion to League One for the first time. With such a mix of teams, it's anyone's guess who will come out on top.
The Games That Mattered
The games that stood out on the opening day were the ones that had the most on the line. In League Two, the game between Barnet and Salford was a real battle. Barnet, with their new signings, were looking to mount another promotion challenge. Salford, on the other hand, were aiming to build on their play-off final appearance. The game ended in a draw, but it was a real showcase of the talent in League Two.
In League One, the game between Nottingham County and Leicester was a real thriller. After a 1-1 draw, both teams began life in League One after a while away. It was a point apiece, but it was a real step in the right direction for both sides.
The Surprises
The opening day was full of surprises, and one of the biggest was the result between Reading and Luton. Reading, who had been in great form, lost 4-3 to Luton, who scored a hat-trick through Jack Marriott. It was a real shock to the system for Reading, but it was a great win for Luton.
Another surprise was the result between Oxford and MK Dons. Oxford, who had been in great form, drew 2-2 with MK Dons. It was a real let-down for Oxford, who had been hoping for a win, but it was a great result for MK Dons.
The New Rules
The 2026-27 season will feature an unprecedented number of new laws, mostly designed to tackle tempo disruption and make the game quicker. These rules were all initially rolled out at the World Cup, but they still caused confusion in the first round of the Carabao Cup last weekend. The idea is to cut out those moments which cause supporters real frustration, and get more football played without adding on loads of stoppage time.
The Talking Points
There were plenty of talking points from the opening day, and one of the biggest was the performance of Newport. Newport, who were in the football league for the first time in a long time, put in an outstanding performance to beat Rochdale 3-0. It was a real statement of intent from Newport, and it will be interesting to see how they fare over the rest of the season.
Another talking point was the performance of Plymouth. Plymouth, who were tipped by many to compete for automatic promotion, looked impressive in their 2-0 win over Stockport. It was a real statement of intent from Plymouth, and it will be interesting to see how they fare over the rest of the season.
The Takeaway
The opening day of the 2026-27 EFL League One and Two season was full of drama, surprises, and talking points. With so many teams in the mix, it's anyone's guess who will come out on top. But one thing is for sure: the football is going to be exciting, and the stories behind the teams and players are just as fascinating. So, get ready for another season of EFL football, and let the games begin!
