Doncaster Rovers begin 2022/23 League Two season with tough trip to big-spending Bradford City

The new campaign – Rovers’ first back in the fourth tier since the 2016/27 season following relegation last term – gets under way on Saturday, July 30 and will see Gary McSheffrey’s side take on the three favourites for promotion in the opening month.

Sutton United will be the first visitors to the Eco-Power Stadium on August 6 before the Carabao Cup first round takes place the following Wednesday.

The draw for that competition takes place at 2.30pm today live on Sky Sports News.

A potentially tricky opening month of fixtures continues with a trip to fellow relegated side AFC Wimbledon on August 13, then consecutive home matches against two more big-spending clubs, Stockport County and Salford City.

Rovers conclude August away to Northampton Town, who missed out on automatic promotion on the final day of last season.

Key Dates

The busy festive period will see Doncaster travel to Tranmere on Boxing Day before hosting Rochdale on December 29 and Carlisle United on New Years Day.

They play Walsall away on the final day of the season on Saturday, 6 May 2023.

Rovers’ last home game will take place against Colchester United one week earlier.

Papa John’s Trophy

Rovers have been drawn against Lincoln City and South Yorkshire rivals Barnsley in the Papa John’s Trophy group stage.

They will discover which Premier League under-21 side will be joining them in Group E when the draw is finalised live on Sky Sports News at 11.30am.

Spotlight on Bradford City

Bradford, who are now managed by former Manchester City boss Mark Hughes, have made a number of eye-catching signings as they hope to push for promotion next season.

The club’s latest arrival, ex-Hull City captain Richie Smallwood, made 42 Championship appearances for the Tigers last season.

They are third favourites to go up from League Two next term, according to Paddy Power, behind Stockport and Salford.

Odds of 7/2 are currently available for Doncaster to be promoted at the first attempt.

Doncaster Rovers 2022/23 fixtures

July

Sat Jul 30 Bradford City A

August

Sat Aug 6 Sutton United H

Wed Aug 10 Carabao Cup One

Sat Aug 13 A.F.C. Wimbledon A

Tue Aug 16 Stockport County H

Sat Aug 20 Salford City H

Wed Aug 24 Carabao Cup Two

Sat Aug 27 Northampton Town A

September

Sat Sep 3 Mansfield Town H

Sat Sep 10 Hartlepool United A

Tue Sep 13 Barrow A

Sat Sep 17 Swindon Town H

Sat Sep 24 Crawley Town H

October

Sat Oct 1 Rochdale A

Sat Oct 8 Leyton Orient H

Sat Oct 15 Carlisle United A

Sat Oct 22 Crewe Alexandra A

Tue Oct 25 Stevenage H

Sat Oct 29 Gillingham H

November

Sat Nov 5 Emirates FA Cup Round One

Wed Nov 9 Carabao Cup Three

Sat Nov 12 Grimsby Town A

Sat Nov 19 Colchester United A

December

Sat Dec 3 Walsall H

Sat Dec 10 Newport County A

Sat Dec 17 Harrogate Town H

Wed Dec 21 Carabao Cup Four

Mon Dec 26 Tranmere Rovers A

Thu Dec 29 Rochdale H

January

Sun Jan 1 Carlisle United H

Sat Jan 7 Leyton Orient A

Sat Jan 14 Crawley Town A

Sat Jan 21 Tranmere Rovers H

Sat Jan 28 Mansfield Town A

February

Sat Feb 4 Hartlepool United H

Sat Feb 11 Swindon Town A

Tue Feb 14 Barrow H

Sat Feb 18 Sutton United A

Sat Feb 25 Bradford City H

March

Sat Mar 4 Stockport County A

Sat Mar 11 A.F.C. Wimbledon H

Sat Mar 18 Salford City A

Sat Mar 25 Northampton Town H

April

Sat Apr 1 Crewe Alexandra H

Fri Apr 7 Gillingham A

Mon Apr 10 Grimsby Town H

Sat Apr 15 Harrogate Town A

Tue Apr 18 Stevenage A

Sat Apr 22 Newport County H

Sat Apr 29 Colchester United H

May

Sat May 6 Walsall A