Gillingham have been handed a home start for the 2026/27 season.
Walsall will be the visitors to Priestfield on the opening weekend of Saturday, August 15.
The Gills will be hoping for a much better campaign ahead, with manager Gareth Ainsworth approaching the second season of the two-year project he signed up to.
A push for the play-offs will be seen as a minimum for many fans after a disappointing campaign last time out in what was year one of a two-year plan.
In recent years, the Gills have started with a big home win over Carlisle, and a victory at Stockport, suggesting fans would be in for successful campaigns, but over the last three seasons things have started well, before falling away.
The Gills started last season with a 1-1 away draw at Accrington and there will be plenty of lengthy trips again this time around – with an early visit to Fleetwood Town on Saturday, August 22.
Gills fans will be quick to spot a mouthwatering finish to the season – away at old rivals Swindon Town on Saturday, May 8.
Since being relegated to the EFL’s basement division, the Gills have managed three 17th-placed finishes and a 12th-place spot in 2023/24.
The first midweek trip is a long one, away at Chesterfield on September 1 – days before a weekend match at Rochdale. There are also Tuesday night games away at Port Vale (January 19) and Newport County (April 27).
Gillingham’s festive schedule sees them visit Crawley Town on Boxing Day and host Exeter City on New Year’s Day, with a home match against Barnet in between (December 29).
Fans will still have to wait before booking any trips with TV selections yet to be made.
Gillingham’s competitive season will kick off a week earlier with a first-round Carabao Cup game on the weekend of August 8. The draw is to be made later today (Thursday).
By next week, July 2, selections will be announced in respect of all live broadcast matches to be played before the end of September.
Then by the end of July, selections will be confirmed in respect of all live matches to be played up to, and including, the weekend of January 9-11, 2027.
As the season progresses, more matches are subject to being moved.
By November 6, 2026, selections shall be announced in respect of all matches to be played up to, and including, the midweek of March 2-3, 2027.
The EFL say: “This once again provides fans and clubs with up to five months’ notice.
“By selecting TV picks early and giving much more notice, fans will be able to plan with certainty when making travel and any hotel arrangements.”
Fixtures in the final weeks of the season are also subject to change.
All games on the opening weekend of the season will be broadcast live on Sky Sports channels.
