Oxford United confirm first pre-season friendly at Kassam Stadium

Oxford United, recently relegated from the Championship, will kick off their 2026/27 League One pre-season with a home friendly against League Two side Crawley Town at Kassam Stadium on July 28. This early fixture marks a critical juncture for both clubs as they embark on campaigns aimed at redemption and stability following turbulent 2025/26 seasons. The match is part of Oxford's preparations after a warm-weather training camp in Spain and sets the tone for their return to England's third tier. For Oxford United, this friendly is the first public test under Head Coach Matt Bloomfield, who took the helm in January 2026 amid a desperate battle to avoid Championship relegation, a fight they ultimately lost by finishing 22nd. His focus now shifts to rebuilding momentum and establishing a clear identity in League One. Across the pitch, Crawley Town, managed by Colin Kazim-Richards since March 2026, narrowly escaped relegation to the National League last season, securing their League Two status with a crucial final-day draw. The clash, therefore, isn't just a tune-up; it's an early indicator of tactical approaches and squad readiness for two teams with contrasting but equally urgent objectives. As both clubs fine-tune their squads ahead of the English Football League season's official start in mid-August, this Kassam Stadium encounter offers fans a first glimpse of the 2026/27 ambitions. Oxford United still faces uncertainty regarding its long-term stadium plans, with the Kassam lease expiring in 2028, even as a new stadium project moves forward. League One and League Two fixtures, including those for the EFL Cup, are slated for release on June 25, providing the full roadmap for the upcoming campaigns and adding further anticipation to these early pre-season tests.