The key dates Sunderland AFC fans need in their calendars for the 2020/21 season - including the League One fixture release

The Black Cats are preparing for their third season in League One, having seen last season’s promotion push come to a premature end after the curtailment of the campaign.

And ahead of the new campaign, we look at the key dates that supporters will need to make sure they have marked in their calendars during the first half of the campaign:

August 21

This is the date when the Premier League are planning on releasing their fixtures for the 2020/21 campaign.

It’s understood that the EFL will look to follow suit and announce their schedule around the same time.

August 29 / September 5

The Carabao Cup first round is set to kick-off the season, although the draw date is yet to be confirmed.

Ties are scheduled for the weekend of September 5, however, one manager has suggested that should a League One side draw a Championship club then the tie will be played on August 29 – given the first week of September is an international window.

September 12

The League One season is currently set to kick-off on September 12, in what will be Sunderland’s first taste of league action in over six months.

October 1

Under current government guidelines, this is the earliest date at which supporters will be able to return to stadiums.

This is, of course, subject to change – and even when fans are able to watch games it will be at a reduced level.

Sunderland are already taking steps to ensure they can welcome as many supporters as possible into the Stadium of Light once safe to do so.

October 5

The summer transfer window will close on October 5 – albeit only for international transfers.

This shouldn’t have too much of an impact on Sunderland given the bulk of their business is likely to be done with fellow EFL and Premier League sides.

But if the Black Cats want to sign a player from overseas, or indeed allow someone to move on to a club abroad, then it will have to be signed and sealed by this date.

October 16

This is the date on which the domestic transfer window will close - representing Sunderland’s final chance to add to their ranks before the winter window.

Only deals involving Premier League and EFL clubs can be completed between October 5 and October 16.

November 7

It is understood that this is when the first round of the FA Cup is provisionally planned for.

Sunderland will once again enter the competition at this stage.

International windows

As in previous years, Sunderland are likely to see a number of players jet-off during international windows.

The international fixture windows for the 2020/21 season currently fall on these dates:

- August 31 – September 8

- October 5 – October 13

- November 9 – November 17

- March 22 – March 30

So any Sunderland games that fall within these windows could well be postponed, if the Black Cats have three players called-up.

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