League One 2026-27 preview: Leicester among promotion favourites as summer reshapes the division
Leicester, under Russell Martin, arrive in the 2026-27 League One season viewed as a promotion threat, while Notts County and AFC Wimbledon face an uncertain campaign.
Several clubs enter the new campaign after significant turnover in playing staff and management. Leicester’s fall from being Premier League champions a decade ago is attributed in this preview to chronic mismanagement, leaving Russell Martin to rebuild a squad that has shipped out many of its top earners and brought in few replacements; nonetheless the club retains players such as Harry Souttar and Stephy Mavididi and possesses young talent who could be given opportunities. Stockport underwent a managerial change after last season’s playoff final defeat with Jimmy McNulty replacing Dave Challinor and has adopted a youth-focused recruitment strategy while still signing experienced players. Sheffield Wednesday’s new ownership and wide squad overhaul, including the signing of Louie Barry, represent another notable off-season reset.
Stockport have combined a youth policy with targeted additions, bringing Ben Osborn back on a permanent deal after his loan spell and signing Eoghan O’Connell on a free transfer, while the club are described as a slick operation. Sheffield Wednesday’s decision to secure Louie Barry is framed as a statement of intent, with the forward’s output presented as a significant factor in their final position. Leicester’s squad changes leave Russell Martin to integrate youth prospects alongside the established names mentioned earlier.
Luton’s preparations are highlighted by Jack Wilshere’s settling-in at the club and the permanent acquisition of Kasey Palmer plus the arrival of Callum Marshall to add attacking impetus. Reading have appointed John Coleman as Leam Richardson’s assistant as part of what the preview calls a more settled environment. Bradford, having lost in the playoff semi-finals, have tweaked their squad with signings including Callum Connolly and Adam Phillips, while Plymouth, who have come down, lost Lorent Tolaj to Bristol City and will look for Will Evans to fill the striker role amid Tom Cleverley’s belief in the squad.
Huddersfield have promoted Martin Drury to his first senior managerial role and he has recruited experienced staff including Alan Knill, brought in Matty Young on loan from Sunderland and signed Ashley Fletcher. MK Dons moved to strengthen with a group of players proven at this level — Ryan Wintle, Cohen Bramall, Dan Barlaser, Sam Silvera and Sam Nombe — rather than squad-fillers. The preview judges that promotion pushes at Wigan and Blackpool appear unlikely given respective transfer activity: Wigan focused on younger players and Blackpool made few notable signings. Daniel Stendel’s return to Barnsley is intended to maximise a young squad featuring Reyes Cleary.
Oxford’s appointment of Aaron Ramsey as a full-time manager generates excitement but is described as a gamble at a club in flux; the loss of defender Frankie Kent to an ACL injury less than a month after signing — one of only two incomings completed before the EFL imposed a transfer embargo — is highlighted as a setback that contributes to thin squad depth. Leyton Orient have added Fin Stevens, Joseph Olowu and Isaac Hayden while replacing departing goals from Dom Ballard by signing Jaze Kabia from Grimsby for a club-record fee. Wycombe enter the season with Michael Duff settled in charge and Steve Cook joining on a free transfer; Stevenage have lost Charlie Goode and Harvey White but retain Alex Revell as a coach.
Mansfield benefit from managerial continuity under Nigel Clough — with only Mikel Arteta reported as having a longer current tenure in English professional football — and have paired David McGoldrick with Michael Smith up front, a strike partnership with a combined age of 72. Peterborough remain difficult to predict due to their large pool of young talent. Doncaster aim to build on a comfortable mid-table finish and have taken goalkeeper Tommy Simkin on loan from Stoke. Notts County’s summer recruitment follows a statistics-based model, included among their signings are two players relegated from League Two and they have sold striker Alassana Jatta; the preview cautions this business could leave them facing a battle. League Two champions Bromley step up to face bigger clubs without comparable resources, Burton enter the campaign after two seasons finishing one place above the drop zone and have added Corey Addai in goal while questions remain over Matthew Dennis replacing Jake Beesley. Cambridge, promoted automatically, have signed experienced players to complement Ben Knight and AFC Wimbledon’s quiet summer leaves survival as a realistic aim with Jayden Stockley expected to provide goals.
Younger players singled out in the preview include James Bailey (Stockport, 18), described as a left-footed, old-school midfielder who arrived on a free transfer after time at Manchester United’s youth ranks and whose appearance belies his age; Will Grainger (Sheffield Wednesday, 17), a Wales youth international and technically gifted No 10 who signed a three-year deal despite reported Premier League interest; and Vimal Yoganathan (Barnsley, 20), a two-footed central midfielder who became a regular last season and has received international recognition with Wales.
The assessment concludes that Leicester under Russell Martin look positioned to mount a promotion challenge in League One 2026-27, while Notts County and AFC Wimbledon, given their summer activity and squad situations, could face testing campaigns.