Full 2025/26 Fixtures Released
Tue 5th August 2025 | Announcements | By Media Team
The North West Counties Football League can today confirm the full 2025/26 fixture schedule for all three divisions.
This follows the release of the first five weeks' fixtures at the beginning of July. We do apologise for the unforeseen delay to this release and understand the frustration felt by Clubs and supporters.
The season is now well and truly underway with most clubs having played a couple of league games to date. The first fixture release covered until the end of August so we will pick up this release from September. As is now usual, there are games during every midweek of the month in the Premier Division whilst the First Division South has a full list penned in for w/c 8th and 15th September. The only midweek fixtures in the North are Bacup's initially postponed fixtures as they catch up from their delayed start to the season.
There are no fixtures scheduled for Saturday 20th September as the FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round takes centre stage whilst the same applies on Saturday 27th for the First Round of the Macron Cup. The Second Round of the Macron Cup follows just two weeks later on 11th October, again with all divisions pausing for the moment.
There are twelve scheduled midweek rounds in the Premier Division and these are front-loaded with the last of them being w/c 26th January. None are required in the First Division North this year whilst the South requires four due to the odd number of clubs (again front-loaded with the last one w/c 20th October).
The ever-popular Groundhop weekend returns at the end of February and Non-League Day this season is Saturday 28th March.
BOXING DAY
There's a full schedule on arguably the most traditional day of the English football season: Boxing Day. There are plenty of derbies for supporters to enjoy over the festive period; Euxton Villa host neighbours Charnock Richard for the first ever Premier Division 'Chorley derby' whilst AFC Liverpool make the (very) short trip to Litherland REMYCA. Over to East Lancashire and Barnoldswick Town lock horns with Padiham at the latter's Ruby Civil Arena while the St Helens duo of Pilkington and FC St Helens do battle at Ruskin Drive.
In the First Division North, Ashton Town host the 'Ashton derby' against cross-town rivals Ashton Athletic and there's a festive El Hotpot derby at the Anchor Ground with Nelson making the trip down the M65. New boys MSB Woolton host Maghull at Jericho Lane and fellow promotees Fulwood Amateurs are away at Thornton Cleveleys and the Blackpool derby returns following Squires Gate's relegation; their Skiddle Community Stadium home the venue for their meeting with AFC Blackpool.
Looking South and it's Sporting Community vs. Casuals in the Black Country on Boxing Day for an all-Wolverhampton clash, the first ever in the NWCFL, whilst the two Wirral-based sides in Ashville and Cammell Laird 1907 meet at the former's Ray Parker Stadium. Telford Town make the 13-mile round trip to Allscott Heath while Haughmond travel a similar distance to Shawbury United for a pair of Shropshire derbies.
GROUNDHOP
We can also reveal the full 2026 NWCFL Groundhop schedule. Taking place in the now-usual end of February slot, this year's football festival returns to the Lancashire area following the rain-affected 2024 edition. Friday night's entertainment comes from the Anchor Ground and it's an East Lancashire derby as Colne make the short journey down the M65 for a mouth-watering contest under the lights.
The Groundhop heads further west for a bumper Saturday of action; new boys Fulwood Amateurs get the day underway at 11am when they face Garstang at Lightfoot Green Lane. Garstang of course were hosts themselves in 2024 - withstanding a late Ashton Town comeback to take the game 3-2. Next up is Gamble Road and Thornton Cleveleys vs. MSB Woolton at 2pm. Thornton secured a 14th-placed finish in their debut season last year and will be looking to build on that whilst 'the Woo' are ready to rise to the NWCFL challenge following promotion this summer.
The First Division North theme continues later in the day as the Groundhop returns to both Squires Gate and AFC Blackpool, two years after their Groundhop dates fell foul to the weather. Nelson are the visitors to Gate's Skiddle Community Stadium for a 5pm kick off before Holker Old Boys go to the Mechanics Ground for the final match of the day at 7.30pm.
Onto Sunday and the sole Premier Division encounter of the 'hop opens the proceedings; both of last season's First Division North promotees go head-to-head at Crilly Park at 11.30am as Atherton LR and Euxton Villa face off. The curtain is drawn on the weekend at The Ginge Power Stadium where Daisy Hill go up against 2022 Groundhop hosts Steeton in a 2.30pm kick off.
It is sure to be a fine celebration of non-league football and we thank both the home and away Clubs for their co-operation in making the event possible.
EASTER WEEKEND
The Easter double header returns this season with fixtures on Saturday 4th and Monday 6th April 2026. Easter Monday's lineup is the reverse of Boxing Day, again with plenty of local derbies as the season nears its climax.
It's impossible to predict who will be challenging at the top end of the table come the end of the season but Ramsbottom United have been widely tipped to be title contenders again after falling short last term - they're away at Litherland REMYCA on Easter Saturday whilst the side that beat them in the playoffs, Padiham, come up against Pilkington. Chadderton host Irlam inn what could well be a six-pointer whilst in the North division Squires Gate travel to Darwen and Ashton Town go to Droylsden.
In the South division, there's a couple fo long trips as Wolverhampton Sporting Community make the journey up to Ashville and New Mills head south to Wolverhampton Casuals. Elsewhere, early favourites Runcorn Town are away at Stockport Georgians.
THE FINAL DAY
As per recent years, the two First Divisions finish a week earlier than the Premier Division, with their final day of the regular season being Saturday 11th April 2026.
Current table-toppers Holker Old Boys are away at Steeton for their final fixture whilst relegated Colne are at promoted Fulwood Amateurs. Squires Gate host Bacup Borough whilst last season's losing play-off finalists Droylsden are at home to Darwen in a repeat of the end-to-end 2024 Groundhop fixture. Daisy Hill have been tipped to have a successful season and they complete their league campaign with a home game against Maghull.
In the South division, the odd number of clubs means that one side has to finish earlier than the rest and Shawbury United play their 36th and final league game is their bank holiday Monday derby clash away at rivals Haughmond five days prior. Telford Town end with one of their longest trips of the season, to New Mills' Church Lane while Haughmond go to Runcorn Town.
The Premier Division draws to a close a week later, on 18th April, and there's a tasty looking clash between two sides that have been tipped to be at the right end of the table as Atherton LR welcome Ramsbottom United to Crilly Park. Euxton Villa finish their debut Premier Division season at home to West Didsbury & Chorlton in front of what could be a bumper crowd at the Jim Fowler Memorial Ground and Irlam vs. Charnock Richard could end up having some ramifications in the play-off race.
As always, there is lots to play for with lots of permutations, plenty of drama and hopefully no snow! With a bit of luck we will get the season over the line at the proposed dates once again and we will be able to look back on what will hopefully be an amazing season of competitive football.
All fixtures are now available on the League website under the Fixtures tab and can also be viewed on each club's individual Club Page.
Full 2025/26 Fixtures Released
Tue 5th August 2025 | Announcements
By Media Team
The North West Counties Football League can today confirm the full 2025/26 fixture schedule for all three divisions.
This follows the release of the first five weeks' fixtures at the beginning of July. We do apologise for the unforeseen delay to this release and understand the frustration felt by Clubs and supporters.
The season is now well and truly underway with most clubs having played a couple of league games to date. The first fixture release covered until the end of August so we will pick up this release from September. As is now usual, there are games during every midweek of the month in the Premier Division whilst the First Division South has a full list penned in for w/c 8th and 15th September. The only midweek fixtures in the North are Bacup's initially postponed fixtures as they catch up from their delayed start to the season.
There are no fixtures scheduled for Saturday 20th September as the FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round takes centre stage whilst the same applies on Saturday 27th for the First Round of the Macron Cup. The Second Round of the Macron Cup follows just two weeks later on 11th October, again with all divisions pausing for the moment.
There are twelve scheduled midweek rounds in the Premier Division and these are front-loaded with the last of them being w/c 26th January. None are required in the First Division North this year whilst the South requires four due to the odd number of clubs (again front-loaded with the last one w/c 20th October).
The ever-popular Groundhop weekend returns at the end of February and Non-League Day this season is Saturday 28th March.
BOXING DAY
There's a full schedule on arguably the most traditional day of the English football season: Boxing Day. There are plenty of derbies for supporters to enjoy over the festive period; Euxton Villa host neighbours Charnock Richard for the first ever Premier Division 'Chorley derby' whilst AFC Liverpool make the (very) short trip to Litherland REMYCA. Over to East Lancashire and Barnoldswick Town lock horns with Padiham at the latter's Ruby Civil Arena while the St Helens duo of Pilkington and FC St Helens do battle at Ruskin Drive.
In the First Division North, Ashton Town host the 'Ashton derby' against cross-town rivals Ashton Athletic and there's a festive El Hotpot derby at the Anchor Ground with Nelson making the trip down the M65. New boys MSB Woolton host Maghull at Jericho Lane and fellow promotees Fulwood Amateurs are away at Thornton Cleveleys and the Blackpool derby returns following Squires Gate's relegation; their Skiddle Community Stadium home the venue for their meeting with AFC Blackpool.
Looking South and it's Sporting Community vs. Casuals in the Black Country on Boxing Day for an all-Wolverhampton clash, the first ever in the NWCFL, whilst the two Wirral-based sides in Ashville and Cammell Laird 1907 meet at the former's Ray Parker Stadium. Telford Town make the 13-mile round trip to Allscott Heath while Haughmond travel a similar distance to Shawbury United for a pair of Shropshire derbies.
GROUNDHOP
We can also reveal the full 2026 NWCFL Groundhop schedule. Taking place in the now-usual end of February slot, this year's football festival returns to the Lancashire area following the rain-affected 2024 edition. Friday night's entertainment comes from the Anchor Ground and it's an East Lancashire derby as Colne make the short journey down the M65 for a mouth-watering contest under the lights.
The Groundhop heads further west for a bumper Saturday of action; new boys Fulwood Amateurs get the day underway at 11am when they face Garstang at Lightfoot Green Lane. Garstang of course were hosts themselves in 2024 - withstanding a late Ashton Town comeback to take the game 3-2. Next up is Gamble Road and Thornton Cleveleys vs. MSB Woolton at 2pm. Thornton secured a 14th-placed finish in their debut season last year and will be looking to build on that whilst 'the Woo' are ready to rise to the NWCFL challenge following promotion this summer.
The First Division North theme continues later in the day as the Groundhop returns to both Squires Gate and AFC Blackpool, two years after their Groundhop dates fell foul to the weather. Nelson are the visitors to Gate's Skiddle Community Stadium for a 5pm kick off before Holker Old Boys go to the Mechanics Ground for the final match of the day at 7.30pm.
Onto Sunday and the sole Premier Division encounter of the 'hop opens the proceedings; both of last season's First Division North promotees go head-to-head at Crilly Park at 11.30am as Atherton LR and Euxton Villa face off. The curtain is drawn on the weekend at The Ginge Power Stadium where Daisy Hill go up against 2022 Groundhop hosts Steeton in a 2.30pm kick off.
It is sure to be a fine celebration of non-league football and we thank both the home and away Clubs for their co-operation in making the event possible.
EASTER WEEKEND
The Easter double header returns this season with fixtures on Saturday 4th and Monday 6th April 2026. Easter Monday's lineup is the reverse of Boxing Day, again with plenty of local derbies as the season nears its climax.
It's impossible to predict who will be challenging at the top end of the table come the end of the season but Ramsbottom United have been widely tipped to be title contenders again after falling short last term - they're away at Litherland REMYCA on Easter Saturday whilst the side that beat them in the playoffs, Padiham, come up against Pilkington. Chadderton host Irlam inn what could well be a six-pointer whilst in the North division Squires Gate travel to Darwen and Ashton Town go to Droylsden.
In the South division, there's a couple fo long trips as Wolverhampton Sporting Community make the journey up to Ashville and New Mills head south to Wolverhampton Casuals. Elsewhere, early favourites Runcorn Town are away at Stockport Georgians.
THE FINAL DAY
As per recent years, the two First Divisions finish a week earlier than the Premier Division, with their final day of the regular season being Saturday 11th April 2026.
Current table-toppers Holker Old Boys are away at Steeton for their final fixture whilst relegated Colne are at promoted Fulwood Amateurs. Squires Gate host Bacup Borough whilst last season's losing play-off finalists Droylsden are at home to Darwen in a repeat of the end-to-end 2024 Groundhop fixture. Daisy Hill have been tipped to have a successful season and they complete their league campaign with a home game against Maghull.
In the South division, the odd number of clubs means that one side has to finish earlier than the rest and Shawbury United play their 36th and final league game is their bank holiday Monday derby clash away at rivals Haughmond five days prior. Telford Town end with one of their longest trips of the season, to New Mills' Church Lane while Haughmond go to Runcorn Town.
The Premier Division draws to a close a week later, on 18th April, and there's a tasty looking clash between two sides that have been tipped to be at the right end of the table as Atherton LR welcome Ramsbottom United to Crilly Park. Euxton Villa finish their debut Premier Division season at home to West Didsbury & Chorlton in front of what could be a bumper crowd at the Jim Fowler Memorial Ground and Irlam vs. Charnock Richard could end up having some ramifications in the play-off race.
As always, there is lots to play for with lots of permutations, plenty of drama and hopefully no snow! With a bit of luck we will get the season over the line at the proposed dates once again and we will be able to look back on what will hopefully be an amazing season of competitive football.
All fixtures are now available on the League website under the Fixtures tab and can also be viewed on each club's individual Club Page.
