Players will report back for pre-season on Friday, June 26, with the opening fortnight held at the Club’s Training Centre to build fitness ahead of the EFL Sky Bet League One season.

The squad will then travel to Cadiz in southern Spain for a warm-weather training camp.

Players will undertake an intensive week of work, providing valuable time on and off the training pitch, before returning to Oxford to take part in friendlies.

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🛫 We will head to Spain this summer for our warm-weather training camp before returning for our opening pre-season fixture away to Aldershot Town on Tuesday 21 July.

Further fixture announcements will be confirmed in due course.

— Oxford United (@OUFCOfficial) June 5, 2026

It has been announced today (Friday, June 5) that the Yellows will play their opening pre-season fixture away against Aldershot Town on Tuesday, July 21.

Announcements of the following fixtures to be made in due course, in accordance with the team’s opposition, according to a new statement made by United.

Competitive action gets underway on the weekend of August 1 with the opening round of the EFL Cup, before the new EFL League One season kicks off the following week.

Fixtures for both competitions will be released on Thursday, June 26.

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Head of Football Operations, Ed Waldron, said: “We are delighted and pleased to announce our plans for pre-season this summer.

“It’s always an important period, and our focus is on giving the players and staff the best environment to prepare for what will be another demanding season.

“The group will have spent the first two weeks in Oxford, which will allow them to lay strong foundations in their fitness, while giving the coaches plenty of time on the training pitch, embedding the football style.

“Following that, we will travel to Spain for a really valuable trip in the pre-season process.

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“This gives the group the chance to spend time together, working hard in a different environment and continuing to build relationships on and off the pitch, which will be hugely beneficial.

“A lot of work has gone into making the camp happen and making sure we have the right facilities in place.

“Matt Willmott and Nick Meace have both put a huge amount of time and effort into the planning, and we’re grateful for everything they’ve done to help make it possible.

“We’ve also been working hard on the pre-season fixture programme, and we’re looking forward to announcing the remaining matches soon.

“The goal is to provide the squad with the right challenges, and we’re confident the schedule we’ve put together will do exactly that as we build towards the start of the season.”

United recently announced changes to its leadership structure as Grant Ferguson stepped down as chair.

Two new names were appointed, with Dusan Bogdanovic announced as Ferguson’s replacement and former Inter Milan board member Rudi Laksmana joining the U’s board.

The Serbian national was most recently CEO of Indonesian club Garudayaksa’s foundation and already had a relationship with Yellows owner Erick Thohir, having been pictured with him in December 2024 alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

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Now, the new chairman has released a statement addressing the fans amid his takeover of the role at the EFL League One club.

“I am deeply honoured to take on the role of chairman of Oxford United Football Club,” Bogdanovic said.

“This is a club with history, character and a proud sense of community.

“Oxford United means a great deal to so many people, and I fully understand the responsibility that comes with helping to lead it.

“It is a genuine privilege to be involved, and I approach this role with ambition, humility and a clear determination to help the club succeed and compete at the highest level, both on and off the pitch.

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“I would like to thank my predecessor, Grant Ferguson, for his dedication and leadership over the past four years.

“Grant has played an important part in one of the most successful periods in the Club’s recent history, and I look forward to working alongside him and the rest of the board as we continue to dream big and build for the future.

“I appreciate that it has taken some time for me to properly introduce myself.

“Since taking up the position of Chair, my immediate focus has been on understanding the club in detail, reviewing our football structures and transfer plans with Ed Waldron, and ensuring we respond with clarity, unity and purpose following relegation to League One.

“My vision is simple: to help engineer Oxford United into a club that plays beautiful, brave and effective football, a team with identity, intelligence and ambition.

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“We must be exciting to watch, but also disciplined, resilient and built to win.

“There is a great deal of work ahead, particularly as we prepare for an important summer and the new season.

“We are aligned in our ambitions, focused on strengthening intelligently, recruiting well, and creating the best possible environment for long-term sporting success.

“Just as importantly, I am passionate about bringing our supporters and the community even closer to the club.

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“Success on the pitch is powered by the energy, belief and passion of the fans.

“Oxford United’s community is one of its greatest strengths, and I want us to deepen that connection, improve engagement, and ensure our supporters feel proud of the direction we are taking.

“I am looking forward to spending time in Oxford throughout the season, meeting with the community, listening, learning and playing my part in protecting the identity and values of this club while helping to build something even stronger for the future.

“I believe there are great times ahead for Oxford United. Thank you, once again, for your continued support.”

The U’s will compete in League One next season after finishing 22nd in the second tier last term.

Saunders played for the club from 1987 to 1988 and played 52 times, scoring 20 goals, before moving to First Division champions Liverpool.

The former Yellows goal scorer appeared at the DEBRA Charity Cup at Oxford City last weekend for the Oxford United Legends team alongside other ex-professionals including Graeme Souness, Ron Atkinson and Matt Le Tissier.

Speaking exclusively to the Oxford Mail, Saunders opened up on his feelings towards Oxford and went on to detail what the U’s must do to bounce back from relegation.

“It’s hard to compete [in the Championship] for Oxford. But it was nice to see them in there last year, and I thought they were going to stay up,” the 61-year-old admitted.

Dean Saunders playing against Liverpool for Oxford United (Image: Oxford Mail archive)

“Six or seven games to go, I thought they were going to do it. So I was a bit gutted.

“I was always proud to play for the club. But they’ve got to bounce back now.

“There’s sometimes a hangover from relegation. Players thinking they’re too good to be in League One. Feeling sorry for themselves. Maybe saying to their agent: “Can you get me out of here? I don’t want to play in League One”.

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Former Oxford United striker Dean Saunders playing at Oxford City (Image: Oxford City FC)

“And then right at the start of the season, you get off to a bad start. Because the players, up until the first game of the season, still think they’re leaving. They’ve got a chance of getting out the trap door.

“The manager’s job there is to get their minds focused on winning the first three or four games. Once that takes care of everything, you get off to a good start. Everybody wants to be there.

“Matt Bloomfield…he’s balancing the budget. Deciding who wants to be there.”

Saunders went on to become a manager after his playing days ended.

“I’ve managed in League One, I’ve managed in the Championship. It is a big difference.

Former Oxford United striker Dean Saunders (left) with Oxford Mail reporter Malachi Obrey at Oxford City (Image: Newsquest)

“I managed Wrexham against Oxford in the conference. 2011, something like that. Chris Wilder was manager.

“I was distraught to see him in the conference. I played for them in the [First Division]. But even being in the Championship, I thought that’s brilliant coming from where people forget.

“Luton have done it, Wrexham have done it: coming from down there, right down there all the way up to the Championship. It looks like they’ve got good foundations as a club.”