Derby County have received their fixture list for the 2024/25 Championship season, which will mark their return to the division.
Paul Warne guided the Rams back to the second tier last season, confirming a top-two finish in League One at the second time of asking.
With promotion confirmed, preparation has been underway for the Championship and hopes of building a sustainable club at that level.
Derby owner David Clowes is set to back Warne in the transfer market with some new additions on the horizon, while the Derby boss looks to improve the quality of the squad.
So, with the Derby fixture list now released for the season ahead, here’s a look at some key dates for your diary.
- READ MORE: Derby County confirmed signings, transfer ins and outs, loans and releases for 2024 summer window
When is the first Derby game of the season?
The first game of the new campaign for Derby will be on Friday, August 9th, as they take on Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.
When is the final Derby game of the season?
Derby’s final match of the new season will be on Saturday, May 3rd when they face Stoke City at Pride Park Stadium.
Championship international breaks
There will be four international breaks during the Championship season, with three at the start of the campaign and one at the end.
The 2024/25 international breaks are:
- September 2nd-10th
- October 7th-15th
- November 11th-19th
- March 17th-25th.
Derby County’s Christmas fixtures
There are plenty of fixtures played over a busy festive season, with games before and after Christmas and the new year.
- December 21st – Luton Town (a)
- December 26th – West Bromwich Albion (h)
- December 29th – Leeds United (h)
- January 1st – Sheffield Wednesday (a)
When is Derby v Leeds?
Derby’s return to the second tier will see them face off with old rivals Leeds United once again, which is a match every fan will look forward to.
The rivalry stemmed from the two clubs fighting for silverware under Brian Clough and Don Revie, leading to heated tensions.
While these fixtures were always a top draw for drama, that was elevated even further after Marcelo Bielsa and Frank Lampard were caught up in “Spygate” during the 2019 season.
- December 7th – Leeds United (a)
- December 29th – Leeds United (h)
When do Derby face the newly promoted teams?
Portsmouth
- December 14th – Portsmouth (h)
- April 12th – Portsmouth (a) 15:00
Oxford United
- October 22nd – Oxford United (a)
- February 11th – Oxford United (h)
Derby are one of three promoted clubs from League One as Portsmouth and Oxford United join them back in the Championship.
When do Derby play the relegated teams?
Burnley
- December 10th – Burnley (a)
- April 9th – Burnley (h)
Luton Town
- December 21st – Luton Town (a)
- April 18th – Luton Town (h)
Sheffield United
- September 21st – Sheffield United (a)
- February 1st – Sheffield United (h)
There are some tough battles coming in the season ahead, with three relegated sides in Burnley, Luton and Sheffield United likely to aim for promotion.