Fixture release day is almost upon us – always a day of great anticipation for fans.
For Carlisle United there is extra excitement this year as it heralds their return to League One after a nine-year absence.
With cup draws also taking place today, as well as a new kit set to be revealed, there will be plenty of information for Blues supporters to take in.
The News & Star will be bringing you all the big news. Here’s a rundown of what’s happening on Thursday…
9am
This is the big one – the moment Carlisle learn their 2023/24 League One fixture list.
The full league calendar will be released at this time.
It will confirm who the Blues will play in their opening-day game, which will be their first third-tier fixture since May 2014 – as well as their other 45 league fixtures.
Among the sides Carlisle will face in League One are Derby County, Blackpool, Reading, Wigan Athletic, Portsmouth, Charlton Athletic and Barnsley.
From 9am, fans will be able to plot their commitments from the weekend of August 5 to next May, as the reality of last month's promotion truly sinks in...
11.30am
This one perhaps won’t have the same excitement and fanfare…but the second of three fixture reveals will still come hot on the heels of the league announcement.
This time it’s the EFL Trophy, when it will be revealed which Premier League Under-21 side will join Carlisle, Accrington Stanley and Harrogate Town in northern Group C.
United, in the controversial competition, will face one of the following eight top-flight clubs in their group: Everton, Liverpool, Leicester City, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest or Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Last season it was Man Utd’s Under-21s – a squad that included up-and-coming youngsters like 35-year-old Tom Huddlestone – and they’ve also faced the likes of Everton, Leicester and Wolves in past years.
The first group games are set to be played in the week starting September 4. The Trophy does not currently have a sponsor after the end of its deal with previous backers Papa John’s.
2.30pm
The third fixture reveal of the day comes in the Carabao Cup, with the first round draw being made at this time.
The first round of the League Cup is regionalised and Carlisle are ball number nine in the northern section.
A number of Championship clubs are in United’s section of the draw, with the likes of relegated former Premier League pair Leeds United and Leicester City joining Middlesbrough, Blackburn Rovers, Stoke City, Sheffield Wednesday, Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion in the mix.
Wrexham and Notts County are also in the northern section after their promotion from the National League to League Two.
The Carabao Cup first round ties will be played in the week starting August 7.
ALSO…
The news doesn’t stop there. At some stage on Thursday Carlisle will also reveal their new kits for the 2023/24 season.
They are giving businesses and sponsors a first look at the new Umbro designs at a “fixtures breakfast” event at Brunton Park in the morning.
United will have the new kits on sale to season ticket holders in the Blues Store from 4-8pm.
It’s likely the Cumbrians will show the wider fanbase what the kits look like before then, but an exact time for this on Thursday has not yet been revealed.
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