National League fixtures 2026-27: Promoted Worthing visit Carlisle United on opening day

Newly-promoted Worthing will travel to Carlisle United in the first National League game in their history on the opening weekend of the season on Saturday, 8 August.

The Rebels will be playing fifth-tier football for the first time in the 2026-27 campaign after winning the National League South title last season.

It will be a second season in the division since relegation from League Two for the Cumbrians, who have appointed former Gateshead boss Rob Elliot to replace Mark Hughes as head coach.

Elsewhere, National League South play-off winners Hornchurch, who are also in the fifth tier for the first time, host National League North play-off winners Kidderminster Harriers.

Beaten National League play-off finalists Boreham Wood welcome Tamworth, while Robbie Savage's Forest Green Rovers start at home to Halifax Town.

Harrogate Town and Barrow, who were both relegated from League Two last season after six years each in the EFL, will host Solihull Moors and visit Hartlepool United respectively.

National League North champions AFC Fylde will host Wealdstone.

The regular season will end on Saturday, 24 April, with teams finishing between second and seventh to contest the play-offs, culminating in the second promotion spot being decided in the play-off final at Wembley on the weekend of 8 May.

All of the two opening rounds of fixtures will be televised on streaming network DAZN, with the traditional 15:00 TV blackout not in force on those weekends.

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