Watford will kick off their Championship campaign next season on the weekend of August 7, should they fail to gain promotion back to the Premier League.

The English Football League has announced the dates for its competitions for next season, for which supporters will be once again permitted to fill stadiums.

Currently the Hornets sit in second place, meaning they are in a position to return to the top flight automatically, but 11 games remain for them this season and there could be a few twists and turns to go just yet.

The EFL also announced dates for the Carabao Cup, which will start on the week of August 9, and the Championship playoff which will take place on Sunday, May 29 2022.

A full list of the key dates ahead of the 2021/22 EFL season can be found below:

Start Date – Saturday 7 August 2021 (with a live television game likely on Friday 6 August)

Carabao Cup Round One – w/c 9 August 2021

Carabao Cup Final – Sunday 27 February 2022

Papa John’s Trophy Round One – w/c 30 August 2021

Papa John’s Trophy Final – Sunday 3 April 2022

Regular Season Final Day

League One – Weekend of 30 April 2022

League Two & Championship – Weekend of 7/8 May 2022

League One Play-Off Final – Saturday 21 May 2022

League Two Play-Off Final – Saturday 28 May 2022

Championship Play-Off Final – Sunday 29 May 2022