2025–26 Oxford United F.C. season

Oxford United
2025–26 season
OwnerErick Thohir
ChairmanGrant Ferguson
Head CoachGary Rowett
(until 23 December)[1]
StadiumKassam Stadium
Championship22nd
EFL CupSecond round
Top goalscorerWill Lankshear (3)

The 2025–26 season is the 132nd season in the history of Oxford United Football Club. It is their second consecutive season in the Championship (the second tier of English football). In addition to the domestic league, the club will also participate in the FA Cup, and the EFL Cup.

Managerial changes

On 23 December, Gary Rowett was sacked as head coach after fifty games in charge and a win ratio of 28%.[1]

Transfers

In

Date Pos. Player From Fee Ref.
1 July 2025 DM Brian De Keersmaecker Heracles Almelo Undisclosed [2]
10 July 2025 RB Brodie Spencer Huddersfield Town [3]
24 November 2025 MF Kaya Halil Brentford Free [4]

Out

Date Pos. Player To Fee Ref.
26 June 2025 AM Rúben Rodrigues Vitória Undisclosed [5]
4 July 2025 CM Idris El Mizouni Leyton Orient [6]

Loaned in

Date Pos. Player From Date unil Ref.
25 July 2025 CAM Luke Harris Fulham 31 May 2026 [7]
2 August 2025 CF Nik Prelec Cagliari [8]
5 August 2025 Will Lankshear Tottenham Hotspur [9]
23 August 2025 CB Ben Davies Rangers [10]
1 September 2025 LW Filip Krastev Lommel [11]

Loaned out

Date Pos. Player To Date until Ref.
19 June 2025 CB Stuart Findlay Heart of Midlothian 31 May 2026 [12]
9 July 2025 CF Will Goodwin Colchester United [13]
17 July 2025 CB Jordan Thorniley Northampton Town [14]
11 August 2025 CB James Golding Crewe Alexandra [15]
22 August 2025 RB Peter Kioso Peterborough United [16]
1 September 2025 RW Owen Dale Plymouth Argyle [17]
CB Stephan Negru Bristol Rovers [18]
6 September 2025 CAM Marselino Ferdinan AS Trenčín [19]
26 November 2025 CF Aidan Elliott-Wheeler Gateshead 4 January 2026 [20]
19 December 2025 GK Jacob Knightbridge AFC Totton 17 January 2026 [21]

Released / out of contract

Date Pos. Player Subsequent club Join date Ref.
30 June 2025 GK Eddie Brearey Leamington 1 July 2025 [22][23]
CM Josh McEachran Bristol Rovers [22][24]
CM George Franklin Bracknell Town September 2025 [22][25]
LB Joe Bennett Walton & Hersham October 2025 [22][26]
CF Max Woltman Macclesfield October 2025 [22][27]
1 September 2025 CB Elliott Moore [28]

New contract

Date Pos. Player Contract until Ref.
30 May 2025 CB James Golding Undisclosed [29]
CM Joshua Johnson [29]
2 June 2025 RB Sam Long [30]
13 June 2025 CB Ciaron Brown [31]
19 June 2025 GK Matt Ingram [32]
20 June 2025 CF Mark Harris [33]
28 June 2025 Leo Snowden Undisclosed[a] [34]
30 June 2025 GK Jamie Cumming Undisclosed [35]
2 July 2025 RW Tyler Goodrham [36]
27 July 2025 CF Jack Lee Undisclosed[a] [37]
28 August 2025 CB Aaron Lacey [38]
2 September 2025 CF Kasway Burton [39]
  1. ^ a b First professional contract

Pre-season and friendlies

On 28 May, it was announced that Oxford United would face Maidenhead United in a behind closed doors fixture during pre-season.[40] A fortnight later, a second friendly was added, against Mansfield Town.[41] On 17 June, two home pre-season friendlies were announced, against Bristol Rovers and Leganés.[42] A tour to Indonesia was also announced, with fixtures against a Liga Indonesia XI and Arema.[43]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

6 July 2025 Friendly (Piala Presiden) Liga Indonesia XI 3–6 Oxford United Jakarta, Indonesia
19:30 WIB
Report Stadium: Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium
Attendance: 41,065
10 July 2025 Friendly (Piala Presiden) Arema 0–4 Oxford United Soreang, Indonesia
19:30 WIB Report
Stadium: Jalak Harupat Stadium
13 July 2025 Friendly (Piala Presiden) Port 2–1 Oxford United Soreang, Indonesia
19:30 WIB
Report Stadium: Jalak Harupat Stadium
15 July 2025 Friendly Oxford United v Maidenhead United Oxford
12:00 BST Stadium: Oxford Sports Park
Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors)
22 July 2025 Friendly Mansfield Town 0–1 Oxford United Mansfield
19:30 BST Report Stadium: Field Mill
Attendance: 1,476 (90 Away)
26 July 2025 Friendly Oxford United 0–1 Bristol Rovers Oxford
15:00 BST Report
Stadium: Kassam Stadium
29 July 2025 Friendly Oxford United 1–1 Leganés Oxford
19:00 BST Report
Stadium: Kassam Stadium
Attendance: 2,085 (106 away)
2 August 2025 Friendly Oxford United 3–0 Málaga CF Oxford
15:00 BST
Report Stadium: Kassam Stadium
Attendance: 3,407

Competitions

Overall record

Competition First match Last match Starting round Final position Record
Pld W D L GF GA GD Win %
Championship 9 August 2025 2 May 2026 Matchday 1 19 4 6 9 20 27 −7 021.05
FA Cup January 2026 Third round 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 !
EFL Cup 12 August 2025 27 August 2025 First round Second round 2 1 0 1 1 6 −5 050.00
Total 21 5 6 10 21 33 −12 023.81

Last updated: 7 December 2025
Source: Soccerway

Championship

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
20 Blackburn Rovers 21 7 4 10 22 26 −4 25
21 Portsmouth 21 5 6 10 18 28 −10 21
22 Oxford United 22 4 7 11 22 31 −9 19 Relegation to EFL League One
23 Norwich City 22 4 6 12 25 35 −10 18
24 Sheffield Wednesday[a] 21 1 6 14 16 43 −27 −9
Updated to match(es) played on 20 December 2025. Source: EFL Official Website
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) Number of 12-point sending off offences; 9) Play-off (only if needed to determine promotion/relegation)[46]
Notes:
  1. ^ Sheffield Wednesday were deducted twelve points due to filing for administration on 24 October 2025, then deducted a further six points on 1 December 2025 for failing to meet payment obligations.[44][45]

Results summary

Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
22 4 7 11 22 31  −9 19 2 4 4 11 15  −4 2 3 7 11 16  −5

Last updated: 20 December 2025.
Source: Soccerway

Results by round

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122
GroundHAAHHAHAAHAAHHAHAHAAHA
ResultLLLDDWLDLWLWDLLDDWLDLL
Position20202322222022212219201920212121212021212222
Points000125566991212121314151818191919
Updated to match(es) played on 20 December 2025. Source: EFL
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss; P = Postponed

Matches

On 26 June, the Championship fixtures were announced.[47]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

9 August 2025 1 Oxford United 0–1 Portsmouth Oxford
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Kassam Stadium
Attendance: 11,492 (1,490 away)
Referee: Dean Whitestone
17 August 2025 2 Hull City 3–2 Oxford United Kingston upon Hull
15:00 BST Gelhardt 2'
Crooks 20'
McBurnie 90+3'
Crooks  27'
Report Lankshear 9'
Brannagan 26'
Spencer  12'
Stadium: MKM Stadium
Attendance: 20,667
Referee: Andrew Kitchen
Note: Fixture was originally scheduled for 16 August, but was moved due to a clash of events at the stadium.[48]
23 August 2025 3 Birmingham City 1–0 Oxford United Bordesley
15:00 BST Report Stadium: St. Andrew's
Attendance: 27,342
Referee: Robert Jones
30 August 2025 4 Oxford United 2–2 Coventry City Oxford
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Kassam Stadium
Attendance: 11,229 (1,514 away)
Referee: Ruebyn Ricardo
13 September 2025 5 Oxford United 2–2 Leicester City Oxford
12:30 BST
Report
Stadium: Kassam Stadium
Attendance: 11,362
Referee: Ben Toner
Note: Fixture was originally scheduled for a 15:00 kick-off, but was moved for live Sky Sports broadcasting.[48]
21 September 2025 6 Bristol City 1–3 Oxford United Bristol
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Ashton Gate
Attendance: 23,440
Referee: John Brooks
Note: Fixture was originally scheduled for 20 September, but was moved due to a clash of events at the stadium.[48]
27 September 2025 7 Oxford United 0–1 Sheffield United Oxford
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Kassam Stadium
Attendance: 11,352 (1,439 away)
Referee: Benjamin Speedie
30 September 2025 8 Queens Park Rangers 0–0 Oxford United Shepherd's Bush
20:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Loftus Road
Attendance: 15,470
Referee: Ruebyn Ricardo
Note: Fixture was originally scheduled for a 19:45 kick-off, but was moved due for live Sky Sports broadcasting.[49]
4 October 2025 9 Watford 2–1 Oxford United Watford
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: Vicarage Road
Attendance: 19,187
Referee: Lewis Smith
18 October 2025 10 Oxford United 1–0 Derby County Oxford
12:30 BST
Report
Stadium: Kassam Stadium
Attendance: 11,197 (1,484 away)
Referee: Gavin Ward
Note: Fixture was originally scheduled for a 15:00 kick-off, but was moved due for live Sky Sports broadcasting.[49]
21 October 2025 11 Wrexham 1–0 Oxford United Wrexham
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Racecourse Ground
Attendance: 10,547
Referee: Elliot Bell
25 October 2025 12 Sheffield Wednesday 1–2 Oxford United Owlerton
15:00 BST
Report Stadium: Hillsborough Stadium
Attendance: 27,261
Referee: Paul Tierney
1 November 2025 13 Oxford United 2–2 Millwall Oxford
15:00 GMT
Report
Stadium: Kassam Stadium
Attendance: 11,023 (1,478 away)
Referee: Farai Hallam
4 November 2025 14 Oxford United 0–3 Stoke City Oxford
19:45 GMT
Report
Stadium: Kassam Stadium
Attendance: 10,362 (1,396 away)
Referee: Leigh Doughty
8 November 2025 15 West Bromwich Albion 2–1 Oxford United West Bromwich
15:00 GMT
Report Stadium: The Hawthorns
Attendance: 22,898
Referee: Jacob Miles
22 November 2025 16 Oxford United 1–1 Middlesbrough Oxford
15:00 GMT
Report
Stadium: Kassam Stadium
Attendance: 11,138 (1,476 away)
Referee: Ben Toner
25 November 2025 17 Norwich City 1–1 Oxford United Norwich
19:45 GMT
Report Krastev 90+5' Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 24,922
Referee: Tom Reeves
Note: Fixture was originally scheduled for 26 November, but was moved due to also playing on the Friday.[49]
28 November 2025 18 Oxford United 2–1 Ipswich Town Oxford
20:00 GMT Report
Stadium: Kassam Stadium
Attendance: 11,307 (1,498 away)
Referee: Matt Donohue
Note: Fixture was originally scheduled for 29 November, but was moved for live Sky Sports broadcasting.[49]
6 December 2025 19 Swansea City 2–0 Oxford United Landore
15:00 GMT
Report
Stadium: Swansea.com Stadium
Attendance: 17,318
Referee: Anthony Backhouse
9 December 2025 20 Blackburn Rovers 1–1 Oxford United Blackburn
19:45 GMT
Report
Stadium: Ewood Park
Attendance: 10,255
Referee: Leigh Doughty
13 December 2025 21 Oxford United 1–2 Preston North End Oxford
12:30 GMT Report
Stadium: Kassam Stadium
Attendance: 10,379
Referee: James Linington
Note: Fixture was originally scheduled for a 15:00 kick-off, but was moved for live Sky Sports broadcasting.[49]
20 December 2025 22 Charlton Athletic 1–0 Oxford United Charlton
15:00 GMT
Report Stadium: The Valley
Attendance: 19,594
Referee: Elliot Bell

FA Cup

Oxford were drawn away to Milton Keynes Dons in the third round.[50][51]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

9 January 2026 Third round Milton Keynes Dons v Oxford United Denbigh
19:30 GMT Stadium: Stadium MK

EFL Cup

Oxford were drawn at home to Colchester United in the first round[52][53] and to Brighton & Hove Albion in the second round.[54][55]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixtures

12 August 2025 First round Oxford United 1–0 Colchester United Oxford
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Kassam Stadium
Attendance: 3,452 (483 away)
Referee: Jacob Miles
27 August 2025 Second round Oxford United 0–6 Brighton & Hove Albion Oxford
19:45 BST
Report
Stadium: Kassam Stadium
Attendance: 9,010 (1,460 away)
Referee: Oliver Langford

Statistics

Appearances and goals

As of match played 20 December 2025

Players with no appearances are not included on the list

No. Pos Nat Player Total Championship FA Cup EFL Cup
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1 GK  ENG Jamie Cumming 23 0 22+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 0
2 DF  ENG Sam Long 19 0 14+3 0 0+0 0 2+0 0
3 DF  NIR Ciaron Brown 13 1 13+0 1 0+0 0 0+0 0
4 MF  WAL Will Vaulks 21 0 12+8 0 0+0 0 1+0 0
6 DF  POL Michał Helik 23 0 22+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 0
7 FW  POL Przemysław Płacheta 17 3 8+8 3 0+0 0 1+0 0
8 MF  ENG Cameron Brannagan 17 4 15+0 4 0+0 0 2+0 0
9 FW  WAL Mark Harris 21 1 7+12 1 0+0 0 1+1 0
10 FW  SCO Matt Phillips 6 0 2+2 0 0+0 0 2+0 0
11 FW  IDN Ole Romeny 7 0 2+5 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
12 MF  WAL Luke Harris 13 1 5+7 1 0+0 0 0+1 0
14 MF  BEL Brian De Keersmaecker 21 2 20+0 2 0+0 0 0+1 0
15 DF  NIR Brodie Spencer 13 0 11+0 0 0+0 0 1+1 0
16 FW  SVN Nik Prelec 17 1 10+6 1 0+0 0 0+1 0
17 FW  ENG Stanley Mills 21 1 9+11 1 0+0 0 1+0 0
18 MF  ENG Louie Sibley 5 0 0+3 0 0+0 0 0+2 0
19 FW  IRL Tyler Goodrham 11 1 6+4 0 0+0 0 1+0 1
20 FW  WAL Tom Bradshaw 7 0 0+5 0 0+0 0 1+1 0
21 GK  ENG Matt Ingram 1 0 0+0 0 0+0 0 1+0 0
22 DF  JAM Greg Leigh 15 1 10+5 1 0+0 0 0+0 0
23 FW  SCO Siriki Dembélé 15 0 4+10 0 0+0 0 1+0 0
24 DF  NED Hidde ter Avest 8 0 5+2 0 0+0 0 1+0 0
26 DF  ENG Jack Currie 19 0 12+5 0 0+0 0 2+0 0
27 FW  ENG Will Lankshear 22 5 16+5 5 0+0 0 1+0 0
29 DF  ENG Ben Davies 7 0 5+2 0 0+0 0 0+0 0
39 FW  ENG Gatlin O'Donkor 2 0 0+1 0 0+0 0 0+1 0
50 FW  BUL Filip Krastev 13 1 9+4 1 0+0 0 0+0 0
Player(s) who featured but departed the club permanently during the season:
5 DF  ENG Elliott Moore 4 0 2+0 0 0+0 0 1+1 0

References

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