COLCHESTER United will find out who they will face and when tomorrow morning, when the EFL fixtures for the 2023-24 season are unveiled.

U's fans will be eager to know who their side will be up against on the opening day of the League Two campaign, as Ben Garner embarks on his first full season as the club's head coach alongside Scott Marshall, Dave Huzzey and Graham Stack.

They will also be wanting to know who their team face on other key dates, such as Boxing Day, New Year and the final day of the campaign.

The all-important fixtures will be released at 9am tomorrow.

Gazette: Ben Garner

KEY ASPECTS

Colchester would love a home game to kick off the new season.

The U's have been away on the opening day in each of the last three campaigns; the last time they kicked off the season at the JobServe Community Stadium was in 2019, when they drew 1-1 with Port Vale.

Indeed, Colchester have been at home on the first day just once in the last seven seasons and have been on the road to start off with 17 times in the last 21 seasons.

READ MORE: Luke Norris links up with League Two club

It would be great for Ben Garner's side to kick off in front of their own fans, this time around.

At the same time, an away match to finish with would also be desirable; hopefully, the U's will have clinched promotion by then but if not, it could prove crucial whether or not they end the season in front of their own fans.

WHO WILL THE U'S FACE NEXT SEASON?

Colchester will be joined in League Two this season by Phil Parkinson's Wrexham, who will be returning to the EFL following their promotion as National League champions.

They will be joined by Notts County, who beat Chesterfield in the National League play-off final, at Wembley.

 

Coming down to the fourth tier of English football from League One are MK Dons, Morecambe, Accrington Stanley and Forest Green Rovers.

Clubs in all three of the EFL divisions will begin their season on the weekend of Saturday, August 5.

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FESTIVE CHEER?

A home game on Boxing Day can be pretty desirable for Colchester United.

With derby games in short supply for the U's this season given the absence of the likes of Southend United, Leyton Orient and Stevenage in the division, they will want to make the most of any 'local' games they have.

A big home crowd on Boxing Day and New Year's Day can prove pretty lucrative for Colchester.

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WHAT ARE COLCHESTER'S LONGEST AND SHORTEST TRIPS?

Colchester's longest journey will once again be to play Barrow, a round trip of 648 miles.

The U's shortest trip will be across the border to Gillingham, a journey of just under 70 miles.

MIDWEEK FIXTURES

Colchester and their supporters are facing more than 500 extra miles of travel in League Two next season.

Ben Garner’s side are set to clock up 8,838.2 miles in total, in the forthcoming 2023-24 campaign.

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That is a difference of 573 extra miles, compared to the total of 8,265.2 miles they covered, in the 2022-23 season.

Needless to say, Colchester and their fans will be hoping that the fixture gods are favourable; a midweek trip to Barrow, for example, would not be ideal.

WHAT ABOUT CUP GAMES?

Colchester will play their Carabao Cup first-round tie on the week commencing August 7.

The draw for the first round of the competition, which saw Colchester reached the quarter-finals in 2019, take places tomorrow.

It starts at 2.30pm and takes place live on Sky Sports News.

READ MORE: Ryan Clampin relishing fresh challenge after U's departure

The EFL Trophy group stages are due to begin in the week commencing September 4.

The draw for that competition also takes place tomorrow, starting at 11.30am.

It will also be broadcast on Sky Sports News.

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Colchester will enter the FA Cup at the first-round stage, with the game due to take place in November.

WHEN WILL U'S REPORT FOR PRE-SEASON?

Colchester will return for pre-season training tomorrow morning.

They have a number of friendlies to play before the big kick-off, starting with a short trip to play Maldon and Tiptree, on July 8.

WHAT IS U'S FIRST TEAM PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE SO FAR?

Maldon and Tiptree, away, July 8, kick-off 3pm

Ebbsfleet United, away, July 15, kick-off 3pm

Peterborough United, home, July 22, kick-off 3pm

West Ham United under-21s, home (at Maldon and Tiptree FC), July 28, kick-off 7.30pm

Leyton Orient, home, July 29, kick-off 3pm

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KEY DATES FOR THE 2023/24 EFL SEASON

Start Date – Saturday, August 5, 2023

Carabao Cup Round One – w/c August 7, 2023

Carabao Cup Final – Sunday, February 25, 2024

EFL Trophy Round One – w/c September 4, 2023

EFL Trophy Final – Sunday, April 7, 2024

League Two Play-Off Final – Sunday, May 19, 2024

League One Play-Off Final – Saturday, May 18, 2024

Championship Play-Off Final – Sunday, May 26, 2024