2025–26 Bradford City A.F.C. season
| 2025–26 season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chairman | Stefan Rupp | |||
| Manager | Graham Alexander | |||
| Stadium | Valley Parade | |||
| FA Cup | First round | |||
| EFL Cup | Second round | |||
| EFL Trophy | Group stage | |||
|
| ||||
The 2025–26 season is the 123rd season in the history of Bradford City Association Football Club and their first season back in League One since the 2018–19 season following their promotion from League Two in the preceding season. In addition to the domestic league, the club also participated in the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, and the EFL Trophy.
Transfers and contracts
In
| Date | Pos. | Player | From | Fee | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 June 2025 | CF |  Will Swan (ENG) |
Crawley Town (ENG) |
Undisclosed | [1] |
| 1 July 2025[a] | LW | Stephen Humphrys (ENG) |
Barnsley (ENG) |
Free | [2] |
| 1 July 2025[b] | WB | Josh Neufville (ENG) |
AFC Wimbledon (ENG) |
[3] | |
| 1 July 2025[c] | CB | Matthew Pennington (ENG) |
Blackpool (ENG) |
[4] | |
| 1 July 2025[d] | CM | Max Power (ENG) |
 AGF (DEN) |
[5] | |
| 1 July 2025[e] | CB |  Curtis Tilt (JAM) |
Salford City (ENG) |
[6] | |
| 1 July 2025[f] | LB |  Ibou Touray (GAM) |
Stockport County (ENG) |
[7] | |
| 1 July 2025[g] | CB |  Joe Wright (WAL) |
 Kilmarnock (SCO) |
[8] | |
| 24 July 2025 | CM | Jenson Metcalfe (ENG) |
Everton (ENG) |
Undisclosed | [9] |
| 18 August 2025 | CAM | Nick Powell (ENG) |
Stockport County (ENG) |
Free | [10] |
- ^ The transfer was announced on 20 June, and would become official on July 1 once his contract at Barnlsey had ended
- ^ The transfer was announced on 11 June, and would become official on July 1 once his contract at Wimbledon had ended
- ^ The transfer was announced on 25 June, and would become official on July 1 once his contract at Blackpool had ended
- ^ The transfer was announced on 16 May, and would become official on July 1 once his contract at AGF had ended
- ^ The transfer was announced on 4 June, and would become official on July 1 once his contract at Salford had ended
- ^ The transfer was announced on 20 June, and would become official on July 1 once his contract at Stockport had ended
- ^ The transfer was announced on 6 June, and would become official on July 1 once his contract at Kilmarnock had ended
Out
| Date | Pos. | Player | To | Fee | Ref. |
|---|
Loaned in
| Date | Pos. | Player | From | Date until | Ref. |
|---|
Loaned out
| Date | Pos. | Player | To | Date until | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 August 2025 | CF | Harry Ibbitson |
Chorley |
4 September 2025 | [11] |
Released / Out of Contract
| Date | Pos. | Player | Subsequent club | Join date | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 June 2025 | CB | Romoney Crichlow (ENG) |
Barnet (ENG) |
1 July 2025 | [12][13] |
| CB | Sam Stubbs (ENG) |
Shrewsbury Town (ENG) |
[12][14] | ||
| AM | Jamie Walker (SCO) |
Grimsby Town (ENG) |
[12][15] | ||
| RB | Callum Johnson (ENG) |
Gateshead (ENG) |
7 July 2025 | [12][16] | |
| DM | Richard Smallwood (ENG) |
Tranmere Rovers (ENG) |
14 July 2025 | [17][18] | |
| CF | Vadaine Oliver (ENG) |
[12] | |||
| CM | Gabriel Wadsworth (ENG) |
[12] | |||
| CB | Paul Huntington (ENG) |
[19] | |||
| GK |  Colin Doyle (IRL) |
[12][20] | |||
New Contract
| Date | Pos. | Player | Contract until | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 June 2025 | GK | Sam Walker |
30 June 2027 | [21] |
| 24 June 2025 | CB | Ciarán Kelly |
30 June 2026 | [22] |
| 11 July 2025 | LM | Lewis Richards |
[23] | |
| 7 August 2025 | CM | Bobby Pointon |
30 June 2027[a] | [24] |
- ^ Option of a further year
Pre-season and friendlies
On 13 June, Bradford City announced their pre-season schedule, with friendlies against FC United of Manchester, Chorley, Pickering Town, Ried II, Campion, Middlesbrough, Oldham Athletic and Bradford (Park Avenue) along with a training camp in Obertraun.[25]
Win Draw Loss Fixtures
| 5 July 2025 Friendly | FC United of Manchester | 0–1 | Bradford City | Moston |
| 15:00 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: Broadhurst Park Attendance: 1,688 |
| 18 July 2025 Friendly | SK Vorwärts Steyr | 1–7 | Bradford City | Gschwendt, Austria |
| 18:00 CEST |
|
Report | Stadium: Steinfeldstraße | |
| Note: Fixture was originally against Ried II, but was changed on July 17.[26] | ||||
| 23 July 2025 Friendly | Bradford City | 2–0 | Middlesbrough | Bradford |
| 19:00 BST | Report | Stadium: Valley Parade Attendance: 5,139 (1,075 away) |
| 26 July 2025 Friendly | Oldham Athletic | 0–1 | Bradford City | Oldham |
| 13:00 BST |
|
Stadium: Boundary Park |
Competitions
League One
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Cardiff City | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 10 | Promotion to EFL Championship |
| 3 | Barnsley | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 4 | +4 | 10 | Qualification for League One play-offs |
| 4 | Bradford City | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 10 | |
| 5 | Huddersfield Town | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 3 | +6 | 9 | |
| 6 | Luton Town | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 9 |
Updated to match(es) played on 20 August 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) 12-point sending off offences[27]
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) 12-point sending off offences[27]
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 |
| 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 |
Last updated: 19 August 2025.
Source: Soccerway
Results by round
Matches
On 26 June, the League One fixtures were announced, with Bradford hosting Wycombe Wanderers on the opening weekend.[28]
Win Draw Loss Fixtures
| 2 August 2025 1 | Bradford City | 2–1 | Wycombe Wanderers | Bradford |
| 15:00 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: Valley Parade Attendance: 19,604 (580 Away) Referee: Seb Stockbridge |
| 9 August 2025 2 | Northampton Town | 0–0 | Bradford City | Northampton |
| 15:00 BST | Report |
|
Stadium: Sixfields Stadium Attendance: 7,295 (1,546 away) Referee: Simon Mather |
| 16 August 2025 3 | Bradford City | 2–1 | Luton Town | Bradford |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Stadium: Valley Parade Attendance: 20,233 (1,338 away) Referee: Edward Duckworth |
| 19 August 2025 4 | Stockport County | 1–2 | Bradford City | Edgeley |
| 19:45 BST |
|
Report | Stadium: Edgeley Park Attendance: 9,641 Referee: Thomas Parsons |
| 23 August 2025 5 | Peterborough United | v | Bradford City | Peterborough |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: London Road Stadium |
| 30 August 2025 6 | Bradford City | v | AFC Wimbledon | Bradford |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Valley Parade |
| 6 September 2025 7 | Doncaster Rovers | v | Bradford City | Doncaster |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Eco-Power Stadium |
| 13 September 2025 8 | Bradford City | v | Huddersfield Town | Bradford |
| 12:30 BST | Stadium: Valley Parade | |||
| Note: Fixture was originally scheduled for a 15:00 kick-off, but was moved live Sky Sports broadcasting.[29] | ||||
| 20 September 2025 9 | Cardiff City | v | Bradford City | Cardiff |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium |
| 27 September 2025 10 | Bradford City | v | Blackpool | Bradford |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Valley Parade |
| 2 October 2025 11 | Rotherham United | v | Bradford City | Rotherham |
| 20:00 BST | Stadium: New York Stadium |
| 11 October 2025 12 | Bradford City | v | Lincoln City | Bradford |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Valley Parade |
| 18 October 2025 12 | Bradford City | v | Barnsley | Bradford |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Valley Parade |
| 25 October 2025 13 | Stevenage | v | Bradford City | Stevenage |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Broadhall Way |
| 8 November 2025 14 | Bradford City | v | Burton Albion | Bradford |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Valley Parade |
| 15 November 2025 15 | Plymouth Argyle | v | Bradford City | Plymouth |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Home Park |
| 22 November 2025 16 | Bolton Wanderers | v | Bradford City | Bolton |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Toughsheet Community Stadium |
| 29 November 2025 17 | Bradford City | v | Exeter City | Bradford |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Valley Parade |
| 9 December 2025 18 | Port Vale | v | Bradford City | Stoke-on-Trent |
| 19:45 BST | Stadium: Vale Park |
| 13 December 2025 19 | Bradford City | v | Reading | Bradford |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Valley Parade |
| 20 December 2025 20 | Leyton Orient | v | Bradford City | Leyton |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Brisbane Road |
| 26 December 2025 21 | Bradford City | v | Wigan Athletic | Bradford |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Valley Parade |
| 29 December 2025 22 | Bradford City | v | Port Vale | Bradford |
| 19:45 BST | Stadium: Valley Parade |
| 1 January 2026 23 | Mansfield Town | v | Bradford City | Mansfield |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Field Mill |
| 4 January 2026 24 | Blackpool | v | Bradford City | Blackpool |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Bloomfield Road |
| 10 January 2026 25 | Bradford City | v | Rotherham United | Bradford |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Valley Parade |
| 17 January 2026 26 | Bradford City | v | Cardiff City | Bradford |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Valley Parade |
| 24 January 2026 27 | Huddersfield Town | v | Bradford City | Huddersfield |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Kirklees Stadium |
| 27 January 2026 28 | Lincoln City | v | Bradford City | Lincoln |
| 19:45 BST | Stadium: Sincil Bank |
| 31 January 2026 29 | Bradford City | v | Doncaster Rovers | Bradford |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Valley Parade |
| 7 February 2026 30 | Luton Town | v | Bradford City | Luton |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Kenilworth Road |
| 14 February 2026 31 | Bradford City | v | Peterborough United | Bradford |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Valley Parade |
| 17 February 2026 32 | Bradford City | v | Stockport County | Bradford |
| 19:45 BST | Stadium: Valley Parade |
| 21 February 2026 33 | AFC Wimbledon | v | Bradford City | London |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Plough Lane |
| 28 February 2026 34 | Reading | v | Bradford City | Reading |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Madejski Stadium |
| 7 March 2026 35 | Bradford City | v | Leyton Orient | Bradford |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Valley Parade |
| 14 March 2026 36 | Wigan Athletic | v | Bradford City | Wigan |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Brick Community Stadium |
| 17 March 2026 37 | Bradford City | v | Mansfield Town | Bradford |
| 19:45 BST | Stadium: Valley Parade |
| 21 March 2026 38 | Burton Albion | v | Bradford City | Burton upon Trent |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Pirelli Stadium |
| 28 March 2026 39 | Bradford City | v | Plymouth Argyle | Bradford |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Valley Parade |
| 3 April 2026 40 | Bradford City | v | Northampton Town | Bradford |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Valley Parade |
| 6 April 2026 41 | Wycombe Wanderers | v | Bradford City | High Wycombe |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Adams Park |
| 11 April 2026 42 | Bradford City | v | Stevenage | Bradford |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Valley Parade |
| 25 April 2026 44 | Bradford City | v | Bolton Wanderers | Bradford |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Valley Parade |
| 2 May 2026 45 | Exeter City | v | Bradford City | Exeter |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: St James Park |
FA Cup
Win Draw Loss Fixtures
EFL Cup
Bradford were drawn away to Blackburn Rovers in the first round[30][31] and to Stoke City in the second round.[32]
Win Draw Loss Fixtures
| 12 August 2025 First round | Blackburn Rovers | 1–2 | Bradford City | Blackburn |
| 19:45 BST | Report | Stadium: Ewood Park Attendance: 9,855 Referee: Anthony Backhouse |
| w/c 25 August 2025 Second round | Stoke City | v | Bradford City | Stoke-on-Trent |
| 19:45 BST | Stadium: bet365 Stadium |
EFL Trophy
Bradford were drawn against Doncaster Rovers, Grimsby Town and Everton U21 in the group stage.[33]
| Pos | Div | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | L1 | Bradford City | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Advance to Round 2 |
| 2 | L1 | Doncaster Rovers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 3 | L2 | Grimsby Town | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 4 | ACA | Everton U21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: EFL
Win Draw Loss Fixtures
| 2 September 2025 Group C | Bradford City | v | Grimsby Town | Bradford |
| 19:30 BST | Stadium: Valley Parade |
| 30 September 2025 Group C | Bradford City | v | Everton U21 | Bradford |
| 19:30 BST | Stadium: Valley Parade |
| 11 November 2025 Group C | Doncaster Rovers | v | Bradford City | Doncaster |
| 19:00 GMT | Stadium: Eco-Power Stadium |
Statistics
Appearances and goals
- As of match played 19 August 2025
Players with no appearances are not included on the list
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | League One | FA Cup | EFL Cup | EFL Trophy | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||
| 1 | GK | ENG
|
Sam Walker | 5 | 0 | 4+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 3 | DF | GAM
|
Ibou Touray | 5 | 1 | 4+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 1 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 4 | DF | WAL
|
Joe Wright | 3 | 0 | 2+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 6 | MF | ENG
|
Max Power | 5 | 0 | 4+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 7 | MF | ENG
|
Josh Neufville | 5 | 0 | 4+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 10 | MF | ENG
|
Antoni Sarcevic | 5 | 2 | 4+0 | 2 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 11 | FW | ENG
|
Stephen Humphrys | 5 | 1 | 4+0 | 1 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 15 | DF | ENG
|
Aden Baldwin | 3 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 16 | MF | ENG
|
Alex Pattison | 2 | 0 | 0+2 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 17 | MF | IRL
|
Tyreik Wright | 4 | 0 | 0+3 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 18 | DF | IRL
|
Ciarán Kelly | 3 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 20 | MF | ENG
|
Tommy Leigh | 5 | 0 | 3+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 21 | MF | ENG
|
Jenson Metcalfe | 3 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 23 | MF | ENG
|
Bobby Pointon | 4 | 2 | 4+0 | 2 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 24 | FW | ENG
|
Will Swan | 4 | 2 | 0+3 | 1 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 1 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 26 | DF | JAM
|
Curtis Tilt | 5 | 0 | 4+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 28 | DF | ENG
|
Matthew Pennington | 5 | 0 | 4+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
| 32 | MF | ENG
|
George Lapslie | 1 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 | 1+0 | 0 | 0+0 | 0 |
References
- ^ "CITY SWOOP FOR SWAN". Bradford City AFC. 28 June 2025. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
- ^ "Humphryes Chooses Claret And Amber". Bradford City AFC. 20 June 2025. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
- ^ "Neufville Becomes A Bantam". Bradford City AFC. 11 June 2025. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
- ^ "Power Kickstarts Summer Recruitment". Bradford City AFC. 25 June 2025. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
- ^ "Power Kickstarts Summer Recruitment". Bradford City AFC. 16 May 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "Tilt Makes City Switch". Bradford City AFC. 4 June 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ "Touray Joins City". Bradford City AFC. 20 June 2025. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
- ^ "Bantams Snap Up Wright". Bradford City AFC. 6 June 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ "City Land Metcalfe On Permanent Deal". Bradford City AFC. 24 July 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ^ "Powell Picks City". Bradford City AFC. 18 August 2025. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
- ^ "Ibbitson In Chorley Loan Switch". Bradford City AFC. 7 August 2025. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Retained List: 2024/25". Bradford City AFC. 13 May 2025. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
- ^ "Crichlow Joins The Bees". Barnet FC. 23 June 2025. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
- ^ "Shrewsbury Town bolster ranks with the signing of Sam Stubbs". Shrewsbury Town FC. 25 June 2025. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
- ^ "Walker Signs For Town". Grimsby Town FC. 25 June 2025. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
- ^ "Callum Johnson joins Gateshead FC". Gateshead FC. 7 July 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
- ^ "Richie Smallwood will leave the club upon the expiry of his contract". X. Bradford City AFC. 2 June 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
- ^ "Richie Smallwood signs a one-year contract with Tranmere Rovers". Tranmere Rovers FC. 14 July 2025. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ^ @officialbantams (7 August 2025). "Paul Huntington departs the club as a promotion winner" (Tweet). Retrieved 7 August 2025 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Doyle Announces Retirement". Bradford City AFC. 16 July 2025. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
- ^ "Walker Extends City Stay". Bradford City AFC. 9 June 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
- ^ "Kelly Extends City Stay". Bradford City AFC. 24 June 2025. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
- ^ "Richards Extends City Stay". Bradford City AFC. 11 July 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ^ "Pointon Commits Future To City". Bradford City AFC. 7 August 2025. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
- ^ "Pre-Season Schedule Confirmed". Bradford City AFC. 13 June 2025. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ^ "Opponents Changed For Austria Friendly". Bradford City AFC. 17 July 2025. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ^ "EFL Regulations Section 3 – The League; subsection 9 – Method of Determining League Positions". English Football League. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
- ^ "League One 2025/26 fixtures, dates, schedule & how to watch: Luton Town vs AFC Wimbledon season opener live on Sky Sports". Sky Sports. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
- ^ "Huddersfield Home Game Moved For Sky Sports Coverage". Bradford City AFC. 4 July 2025. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
- ^ "Carabao Cup Round One confirmed". English Football League. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
- ^ "Blackburn Trip Confirmed". Bradford City AFC. 4 July 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
- ^ "City To Travel To Stoke In Carabao Cup". Bradford City AFC. 13 August 2025. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ "Under-21 teams and Group Stage draw confirmed for 2025/26 Vertu Trophy". English Football League. 25 June 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.