Matt Bloomfield’s side will compete in the third tier after a two-year stint in the Championship which saw the U’s relegated in 22nd place last season.

One key date has already passed as pre-season approaches, with the summer transfer window having opened on Monday.

United are yet to make any signings, but did see 10 players depart the club last month after their contracts expired.

The full set of fixtures for the 2026/27 campaign are set to be announced next week on Thursday, June 25.

This includes the Championship, League One and League Two as well the Carabao Cup and Vertu Trophy, both of which the Yellows will be competing in.

Oxford United right back Sam Long (Image: Jason Dawson)

The club has confirmed that players will report back at the ‘end of June’ with the squad then travelling to Spain for a week-long warm-weather training camp.

Upon their return from the camp, the U’s will face National League side Aldershot Town in their first friendly fixture on July 21 before a second match four days later against League Two outfit Barnet on July 25, both away from home.

July 28 sees Oxford host Crawley Town before the welcoming of Premier League club Ipswich Town to the Kassam on August 1.

Oxford United head coach Matt Bloomfield (Image: Jason Dawson)

Competitive action commences the following weekend with the first round of the Carabao Cup over August 8 and 9.

The weekend after will be the long-awaited start of the league season, with August 14 to 16 seeing the action.

The FA Cup first round proper, in which third and fourth tier sides enter, is set for November 7.

The summer transfer window will close at 11PM on September 1, with the winter window running for its usual month from January 1 to 11PM on February 1.

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Oxford United left back Jack Currie (Image: Jason Dawson)

Full list of key dates –

Monday, June 15 – summer transfer window opens

Thursday, June 25 – EFL, Carabao Cup and Vertu Trophy fixture release

Thursday, July 2 – TV coverage announced until end of September

Tuesday, July 21 – Aldershot Town (A)

Saturday, July 25 – Barnet (A)

Tuesday, July 28 – Crawley Town (H)

Friday, July 31 – TV coverage announced until January 11

Saturday, August 1 – Ipswich Town (H)

Weekend of August 8 & 9 – Carabao Cup first round

Matt Bloomfield and Mike Dodds celebrate Oxford United win (Image: Jason Dawson)

Weekend August 14, 15 & 16 – Championship, League One, League Two opening fixtures

Tuesday, September 1 (11PM) – summer transfer window closes

Saturday, November 7 – FA Cup first round proper (League One teams enter the competition)

Friday, January 1 – winter transfer window opens

Monday, February 1 (11PM) – winter transfer window closes

The Oxford Mail has suggested one player in every position for Matt Bloomfield’s side to target this summer.

Goalkeeper – academy promotion

Oxford are set when it comes to goalkeepers, with Jamie Cumming, Matt Ingram, and player-coach Simon Eastwood all at the club.

It would make more sense for a goalkeeper to be promoted from the academy, perhaps Under-21 stopper Monty Marriott who recently spent time on loan at Dorchester Town.

Right back – Jordi Osei-Tutu

Osei-Tutu would provide a more attacking alternative on the right of defence.

Recently released by League One play-off winners Bolton Wanderers, the 27-year-old is energetic and pacey and available on a free.

Bolton Wanderers’ Jordi Osei-Tutu (left) and Amario Cozier-Duberry celebrate (Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)

Centre back – Jamie Knight-Lebel

Controversial, maybe, with the defender having spent last season on loan at Swindon Town in League Two, but a move for their Young Player of the Season could be a natural next step for the Bristol City man.

A move to Oxford to learn from experienced heads Michal Helik and Ciaron Brown would be valuable, with the 21-year-old providing youth and quality in depth.

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Left back – Leon McCann

Oxford have already been linked with two Falkirk players in Barney Stewart and Liam Henderson, but look set to miss out on the former.

After a consistently good season for the sixth-placed Bairns, McCann would be a great signing of a player hitting his peak at 26 years old.

Centre midfield – Archie Collins

After turning down a new contract offer from Peterborough United, the 26-year-old is expected to secure a better move after winning the Posh’s Player of the Season award.

Signing Collins would be a statement of intent from the Yellows with the midfielder one of the division’s standouts.

Left wing – Nathan Redmond

Oxford already have names on the left, but some experience may not go amiss.

The 32-year-old spent last season at both Sheffield Wednesday and Blackburn Rovers and believes he still has more to give in his career.

Sheffield Wednesday’s Nathan Redmond appears dejected (Image: Barrington Coombs/PA Wire)

Attacking midfield – Conor Chaplin

Linked earlier this week, Chaplin is a free agent having left Premier League club Ipswich Town.

At 29, he is experienced and a proven goal scorer in League One having scored 26 times in 2022/23.

Right wing – Kyreece Lisbie

Lisbie has already held talks with the club and would provide youth, depth and skill on the right wing.

There is competition for his signature, but the Colchester United man seems a no-brainer.

Leyton Orient’s Jack Simpson (left) and Exeter City’s Jayden Wareham (centre) battle for the ball (Image: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire)

Striker – Jayden Wareham

19 goals for relegated Exeter City is very impressive.

The 23-year-old would be an astute, proven and young addition to the U’s attack.

Leicester City are one of a few clubs already said to be interested.

The U’s are looking to strengthen after their relegation from the Championship last season, with a new striker wanted by supporters after the return of fan favourite Will Lankshear to his parent club Tottenham Hotspur.

Chaplin spent last season on loan at boyhood club Portsmouth as the club survived in the second tier, the 29-year-old scoring twice and managing one assist in 40 appearances.

Meanwhile, his parent club Ipswich secured promotion to the Premier League by finishing second in the league only behind runaway champions Coventry City.

The Englishman was key in the Tractor Boys’ League One promotion-winning season where they finished second, Chaplin scoring 26 goals that year to win the division’s Golden Boot award, joint with Peterborough United’s Jonson Clarke-Harris.

Portsmouth’s Conor Chaplin celebrates following victory in the Sky Bet Championship match at Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough (Image: Richard Sellers/PA Wire)

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He was also awarded Ipswich’s Player of the Season award and included in the League One Team of the Season.

Chaplin then struck 13 goals in the Championship as the Suffolk side were promoted again, before suffering relegation from the Premier League the year after.

The attacking midfielder was released by Ipswich last month following their return to the top flight and SportsBoom are reporting that Oxford have ‘expressed an interest’ in signing the free agent.

With experience in the top tiers of English football and proof of goal scoring prowess in League One, Chaplin would be a sensible addition to the U’s ranks.