Updates from bet365 Stadium as Stoke City gears up for the offseason, laying groundwork for the future.
As Stoke City exhales after wrapping up the 2023/24 season, anticipation brews for what lies ahead with the imminent release of the 2024/25 fixtures next month. Despite navigating a turbulent campaign, the team culminated with a glimmer of hope, clinching three consecutive victories and clean sheets to secure the 17th spot. Under the stewardship of Steven Schumacher and Jon Walters, optimism burgeons for the future, contingent upon shrewd summer recruitment.
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, June 26th at 9 am, as the EFL unveils the new fixture list, broadcasting live on StokeonTrentLive. Sky Sports, in early July, will disclose television selections for August and September, extending to January before the season kickoff. The Championship’s commencement is slated for the weekend of August 10th, with all opening matches broadcasted live. Notably, the blackout rule won’t apply, allowing for a 3 pm kickoff on that Saturday.
Sky’s recent five-year agreement, injecting £935 million into football, heralds a significant shift in the football calendar. Championship clubs stand to benefit substantially, with a purported 46% increase in revenue. Nonetheless, the chasm between Premier League and Championship finances persists, though any added income is a boon under stringent financial regulations.
For Stoke faithful, the deadline to retain existing seats for the 2024/25 season is Friday, May 17th, with general sale commencing on Monday, June 10th. The south stand undergoes reconfiguration to accommodate home supporters, featuring licensed standing across the upper section.
Looking ahead, the Championship will witness 46 rounds of league matches spread over 33 weekends, nine mid-weeks, and four Bank Holidays. The League Cup and Football League Trophy retain their current formats, while the Carabao Cup kicks off in mid-August, culminating in the final on Sunday, March 16th, 2025. Finally, the play-off finals are slated for the 2025 May Bank Holiday weekend.
Key Dates:
– Fixture release day: Wednesday, June 26th, 2024, 9 am
– Season start: Weekend of August 10th-11th, 2024
– Carabao Cup first round: August 13th-14th, 2024
– Carabao Cup final: Sunday, March 16th, 2025
– Season end: Saturday, May 3rd, 2025
– Play-off final weekend: May 24th-26th, 2025