Preston North End key fixture dates from Leeds United to Plymouth Argyle

The opening day – 05/08

Preston North End want to host one of Liverpool’s friendlies and therefore made a request to the EFL for an away game first. They have got their wish, with a trip down to Ashton Gate to face Bristol City the season opener. Ashton Gate is a cracking stadium and Bristol is a terrific city, so it has the potential for a top occasion – hopefully, in the sunshine.

A first Deepdale outing – 12/08

North End could get a home tie in the first round of the Carabao Cup, which would then be PNE’s first home match of the season. Nonetheless, the first Championship clash on home soil promises to bring in a bumper crowd. Sunderland supporters sold out the Bill Shankly Kop for the final match of last season and you can expect the same from them once again. It’s just the kind of match you want to get the season up and running.

ALSO READ: PNE’s 23/24 fixture list in full

Ryan Lowe reunited – 16/09

You can imagine it was one of the first games Plymouth Argyle supporters looked out for. The Pilgrims are back in the second tier after a remarkable title-winning campaign in League One. And make no mistake about it, their fans will be right up for both matches against Preston – with Ryan Lowe having left Home Park to make the move to Deepdale. It’s one of the early matches too, with Plymouth at home the sixth game of the season, before the long away journey on March 16.

Big three coming down

Southampton, Leicester City and Leeds United will all be tipped for promotion pushes this season – given the strength of their squads and the potential to raise attractive funds in the transfer market through player sales. These matches will be fantastic tests for PNE and it’s Leicester whom they face first out of the trio.

The trip to the King Power Stadium is a night game on Wednesday, October 4, with the reverse fixture on the penultimate day of the season (27/04). Leeds are at Deepdale on Boxing Day and Preston go to Elland Road not long after, on January 20. North End face Southampton on October 25 at home under the lights. And the hardy souls will travel down to St Mary’s on March 6 for an evening kick-off.

Derby days

Blackpool are down and Burnley are up, so it’s back to Blackburn Rovers serving up North End’s local derbies. North End are at Ewood Park first on November 11. Rovers come to Deepdale on February 17, with both games Saturday kick-offs.

Festive dates

North End are at home both games after Christmas as they take on Leeds on the 26 and Sheffield Wednesday on the 29 – two games that should bring in very decent crowds. Plenty of PNE supporters will have to shake off their hangovers for the trip up to Sunderland on January 1.

The run-in

There is so much still to learn about all the clubs, with lots of time to wheel and deal in the transfer market. But the Championship looks like being an extremely tough league in 2023/24, given the pure size of the clubs competing in it. North End’s final seven matches see them play at home three times and on the road four, with West Brom away the final match of the season. As always, Preston will hope to be playing for something by the time that comes along – well clear of any danger down at the bottom.