EFL decision affects Birmingham City, West Brom, Sunderland and Middlesbrough

Birmingham City and West Brom have received their start date for the 2024/25 season, should they both be playing in the Championship.

The EFL informed the Baggies, Blues as well as Sunderland, Middlesbrough and other clubs when their league campaign would start if they are playing in the second tier.

It all begins again on the weekend of August 10/11, 2024. The 2024/25 campaign will end on Saturday, May 3, 2025. The biggest news is that the Carabao Cup format will remain the same and that the semi-final will remain two-legged.

EFL Chief Executive, Trevor Birch said to the official website: “Whilst the fixture calendar remains a shared asset across the EFL, Premier League and Football Association, additional pressures from revamped European competitions means that scheduling across the season remains challenging and complex, so it requires a whole game response to find a solution.

“As it stands there is no agreement in place to make any changes to the Carabao Cup’s two-legged semi-final format, which continues to provide significant financial benefit to EFL Clubs.

“The League remains committed to a review of the calendar, but any significant changes cannot be made unilaterally, and would need to come with significant levels of compensation and adopted as part of any new distribution deal with the Premier League and its Clubs."

The confirmed date might not affect West Brom as they are battling for promotion against all odds at the minute. Should Carlos Corberan and his side surprise many and win promotion either through the automatics or the play-offs then their campaign would start and finish slightly later.

The Premier League start date is a week later than the Championship, beginning on August 17, 2024. English football’s top-flight will conclude on May 25, 2025.

Things look like improving for Birmingham under Tony Mowbray however they are currently 20th in the division right now, and are just two places above the relegation zone. There is no chance to the start date for League One, which will begin at the same time as the Championship.