Next season will begin on 3rd August

As the 2012/13 npower Football League season heads into a busy festive programme, The Football League has confirmed that next season will kick-off on August 3.

The decision to start the 2013/14 season slightly earlier than usual follows a ballot of clubs, with a clear majority in all three divisions preferring the chosen date as it delivers an additional Saturday match.

The season will conclude on May 3 with the Play-Off Finals being held at Wembley Stadium on May 24-26.  The 2013/14 Christmas and New Year programme will include matches on Saturday, December 21 and Sunday, December 29, as well as Boxing Day and New Year’s day.

Next season also sees The Football League, the world's original league football competition, celebrate the 125th anniversary of its inception in 1888.