First 2025/26 Fixtures Released

Sat 5th July 2025 | Announcements | By Ben Wilkinson

The North West Counties Football League can today release the opening month's fixtures of the 2025/26 season.

Fixtures for July and August have been released for all three divisions in the League. As per recent seasons, we have to wait until leagues higher up the pyramid have published their calendars, and it should be noted that all fixtures are released on a provisional basis. A small number of games may be subject to change due to logistical arrangements, FA competitions and groundshare considerations.

In a change from previous seasons, there has been a reduction in the number of fixtures played in August in the First Divisions North & South in an aim to reduce the number of 'blank' Saturdays later in the season. As ever, it is impossible to predict which clubs will be most affected by weather- and cup-related postponements over the course of the season.

Looking further ahead to after the season gets underway, we will look to bring some games forward following the Extra Preliminary Round of the FA Cup to reduce the number of clubs with a blank Saturday on Preliminary Round day.

Premier Division

Relegated duo City of Liverpool and Wythenshawe return to life in the Counties with away trips to Glossop North End and Padiham respectively. Atherton LR's first fixture as a Premier Division club in 13 years will be away at Ramsbottom United whilst fellow promoted side Euxton Villa make their Step 5 debut with a home clash against Prestwich Heys. The first visitors to FC Isle of Man are Litherland REMYCA, who make the journey over the Irish Sea on the opening day of the season.

A 24-team division means the games come thick and fast and there is a full schedule in the midweek of 29/30th July. Atherton LR welcome South Liverpool to Crilly Park in their first Premier Division home game, a repeat of the 2023/24 First Division North Play-Off Semi-Final. There's a local derby as Euxton Villa lock horns with Longridge Town in an 8pm kick off at the Jim Fowler Memorial Ground - their first league matchup since both were in the West Lancashire League in 2017/18.

Litherland REMYCA host City of Liverpool in a Merseyside derby on Wednesday 30th July, the only Premier Division fixture of the night. There is then a break as clubs bid to progress on the 'road to Wembley' in the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday 2nd August.

There is then another double header with a full schedule on the 9th and then a midweek round between 11th-13th. City of Liverpool play host for the first time when they welcome newly-promoted Atherton LR on the Saturday before they're on the road again away at Cheadle Town on Tuesday 12th. Also on 9th August is Glossop North End's visit to Douglas and last season's losing play-off finalists Padiham travel to Greater Manchester to take on Stockport Town.

There's a Liverpool derby at Jericho Lane on 13th August when South Liverpool and Litherland REMYCA clash with West Didsbury & Chorlton hosting Atherton LR on the same night.

Again due to FA competitions, there is a two-week break as the FA Cup Preliminary Round and then the FA Vase First Round Qualifying take centre stage before a full schedule on the Bank Holiday Monday (25th August). Glossop North End venture down the M67 for a duel with Abbey Hey and AFC Liverpool travel to Pilkington to finish a bumper weekend of football.

Rounding out the month, and this first release is a full schedule on Saturday 30th August. City of Liverpool and Longridge Town meet for the very first time on this day while the previous two champions of the First Division North, Atherton LR and FC St Helens, go head-to-head at the former's Crilly Park home.

The full list of Premier Division fixtures for July/August can be found here. The opening day fixtures are below:

First Division North

Bacup Borough have been granted special dispensation by the League Management Committee to have all of their League fixtures up to and including 23rd August postponed due to a £200,000 renovation project being undertaken at the Brian Boys West View Stadium. These fixtures are expected to be played during September midweeks.

Fulwood Amateurs begin life in the NWCFL with a trip east to Steeton's Marley Stadium on the first day of the season whilst MSB Woolton have to wait until the following weekend for their curtain raiser - an away tie at Darwen. Colne begin their first ever season at this level with a home clash against Ashton Town; Squires Gate are away at Maghull to begin their season following relegation last term.

With no Step 6 sides in the FA Cup, there is league action on Saturday 2nd August, the pick of the ties being a Fylde Coast derby at Squires Gate's newly-renamed Skiddle Community Stadium; Thornton Cleveleys being the visitors there. The first league visitors to Lightfoot Green Lane are Holker Old Boys, who face one of their shortest trips of the season with that journey to north Preston.

The following weekend sees a revitalised Daisy Hill make the short trip to Ashton Town for their first away fixture of the campaign whilst Maghull begin their travels with a trip to the seaside as AFC Blackpool await.

MSB Woolton finally play their first home league game in the League on 16th August when Daisy Hill visit Jericho Lane. Other highlights that day include a local derby at The Riverside where Fulwood Amateurs make the short trip up the A6 to the home of rivals Garstang.

Saturday 23rd August is given over to the FA Vase before the month is rounded out with a full schedule on 30th August, Bacup belatedly getting their season off to a start with a trip to Ashton Town; Droylsden being the visitors to Town's rivals Ashton Athletic on the same date.

The full list of First Division North fixtures for July/August can be found here. The opening day fixtures are below:

First Division South

The three new clubs to the division all begin their lives in the NWCFL on the road. Wolverhampton Casuals get one of their longest trips out of the way early doors with a trip to Birkenhead to take on Ashville, having previously already been drawn together in the Edward Case Cup. The newly-promoted duo of Haughmond and Telford Town have been given trips to Barnton and Foley Meir respectively before facing off against each other at Telford's DRM Aggregate Arena three days later.

Sandbach United are the first side with a 'fallow week' due to the odd number of clubs in the division; they will host New Mills on Tuesday 29th July to open their account as part of a full schedule in the first midweek of the season. Alsager Town are the next club to benefit from an extended rest in this round.

Onto the 2nd August and as per the North division there is a full schedule with no FA Cup distraction applicable. Wolverhampton Casuals face another lengthy trip, this time to the Peak District and New Mills. Haughmond make their home NWCFL debut with the visit of Runcorn Town and Eccleshall have the week off.

No more midweek rounds in this first set of games so the next fixtures are on 9th August. Perennial finalists last season Stafford Town host Barnton and Alsager Town go to Wolverhampton Casuals. The 16th August sees Haughmond on the road again, this time to Wood Park, the home of Alsager Town. Telford Town welcome Cheadle Heath Nomads and Wolverhampton Casuals venture up the M6 to Barnton.

A blank week on 23rd August for the FA Vase before 9 fixtures on the 30th of the month complete the initial release. Haughmond go to Foley Meir for game number six in the League and Telford Town make the trip to Ashville; Cammell Laird 1907 coming the other way for their trip to Wolverhampton Casuals.

The full list of First Division South fixtures for July/August can be found here. The opening day fixtures are below:

All fixtures are copyright of The North West Counties Football League Limited.