EFL announce the start of the new league season

Usually kicking off in August, the up-and-coming campaign will start in the autumn due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which saw all leagues in England go on a three-month hiatus between March and June.

The Premier League and Championship as well as the League One play-offs resumed on June 17 this year, but League Two was ended.

READ MORE: WYCOMBE ARE PROMOTED: Chairboys secure Championship dream in Wembley win

The new season will see Wycombe play in the Championship for the first time in their 133-year-old history, with the 2020/21 campaign due to finish on the weekend of May 8 and 9, with the Sky Bet play-off finals moving back to their original dates across the spring Bank Holiday at the end of May.

An EFL statement said: “The EFL can confirm that the 2020/21 Season will get underway across the Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two on the weekend of September 12.

“The 2020/21 season will conclude on the May 8 and May 9, 2021, with the Sky Bet play-off finals reverting back to the spring Bank Holiday weekend at the end of May.

“Work is currently underway in respect of fixture scheduling and details will be announced in due course as to when full fixture lists for 2020/21 will be made available."

The Chairboys know now all of their opponents for their debut season in the second tier, with the club preparing for a potential 18 sell-outs at Adams Park.

This will be a first for the club if it were to happen, but due to the current pandemic, questions are being asked on how many fans will eventually be allowed back into stadiums.

Next season, big name clubs such as Norwich City, Luton Town, Reading, Blackburn Rovers, Coventry City, Queens Park Rangers, Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday, Nottingham Forest and Derby County will all be making trips to Adams Park.

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This means preparations are very much underway with next season starting in six weeks time.

Trevor Stroud, Chairmen of the Wycombe Wanderers Trust, said: “Transport is an issue, getting a second access road isn’t going to be a quick thing that we can do.

“But it has certainly been on the radar and we are having discussions with the council.

“We’re certainly looking at other transport options in terms of park and ride, more bus access.

“I think we’ve done the analysis that it’s likely we’re going to have 18 sell-outs for away fans once we’re allowed to be back to normal.

“The two or three games a season where it’s going to be really busy will become the norm.

“We have to do something about that and that is part of the plans we’re looking at.”.

As well as the logistics, Gareth Ainsworth will also be pleased that several first-team players have signed new contracts with the club.

Skipper Matt Bloomfield and veteran striker Adebayo Akinfenwa are among five players to have agreed to new deals at Wycombe, with the latter extending his contract for one more season.

Other players such as Joe Jacobson, Anthony Stewart and as well as Bloomfield have all signed 'multi-year' contracts according to the club, with Bloomfield's contract including coaching responsibilities.

READ MORE: How Wycombe's play-off win against Oxford could help the town financially

Midfielder Alex Pattison triggered a clause in his contract which means he has extended his stay at Adams Park for another season.

Ainsworth will also be looking in the transfer and loan market to see if the club can add any more depth to the squad.

The 2020/21 will also see the club enter the FA Cup at the third round stage for the first time, as well as enjoying the four international breaks during the season.

These are in September, October, November and March but due to the pandemic, this might change.

Wycombe were promoted to the Championship after they defeated Oxford United 2-1 at Wembley Stadium, with Joe Jacobson getting the winner via a penalty.