The 2025–26 season was the 132nd season in the history of Oxford United Football Club and their second consecutive season in the Championship following promotion in the 2023–24 season. In addition to competing in the domestic league, the club also participated in the FA Cup and the EFL Cup. The club finished 23rd in the league table, relegating them to League One.
Managerial changes On 23 December, Gary Rowett was sacked as head coach after fifty games in charge and a win ratio of 28%. Seventeen days later, the club appointed Matt Bloomfield as the new head coach.
Transfers In DatePos.PlayerFromFee 1 July 2025 CDM Brian De Keersmaecker Heracles Almelo Undisclosed 10 July 2025 RB Brodie Spencer Huddersfield Town 24 November 2025MF Kaya Halil BrentfordFree9 January 2026CAM Myles Peart-Harris Undisclosed 18 January 2026 CDM Jamie McDonnell Nottingham Forest 20 January 2026 RW Jeon Jin-woo Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 3 February 2026 LW Aidomo Emakhu Millwall 24 February 2026 CF Nik Prelec Cagliari Free Transfer
Out DatePos.PlayerToFee 26 June 2025 AM Rúben Rodrigues Vitória Undisclosed 4 July 2025 CM Idris El Mizouni Leyton Orient
Loaned in DatePos.PlayerFromDate unil 25 July 2025 CAM Luke Harris Fulham 7 January 2026 2 August 2025 CF Nik Prelec Cagliari 24 February 2026 5 August 2025 CF Will Lankshear Tottenham Hotspur 31 May 2026 23 August 2025 CB Ben Davies Rangers 1 September 2025 LW Filip Krastev Lommel 5 February 2026 2 January 2026 CAM Jamie Donley Tottenham Hotspur 31 May 2026 15 January 2026 CDM Yunus Konak Brentford 31 January 2026 CB Christ Makosso Luton Town 31 May 2026 2 February 2026 LB Ruben Roosken Huddersfield Town 31 May 2026
Loaned out DatePos.PlayerToDate until 19 June 2025 CB Stuart Findlay Heart of Midlothian 31 May 2026 9 July 2025 CF Will Goodwin Colchester United 17 July 2025 CB Jordan Thorniley Northampton Town 5 January 2026 11 August 2025 CB James Golding Crewe Alexandra 3 January 2026 22 August 2025 RB Peter Kioso Peterborough United 31 May 2026 1 September 2025 RW Owen Dale Plymouth Argyle CB Stephan Negru Bristol Rovers 6 January 2026 6 September 2025 CAM Marselino Ferdinan AS Trenčín 31 May 2026 26 November 2025 CF Aidan Elliott-Wheeler Gateshead 28 February 2026 19 December 2025 GK Jacob Knightbridge AFC Totton 17 January 2026 2 January 2026 CM Louie Sibley Bradford City 31 May 2026 2 February 2026 CF Tom Bradshaw Barnsley CB Stephan Negru Tranmere Rovers 16 February 2026 CB James Golding Southend United 28 February 2026 RB Aidan Elliott-Wheeler Brackley Town 31 May 2026 27 March 2026MF Kaya Halil Cheshunt31 May 2026
Released / out of contract DatePos.PlayerSubsequent clubJoin date30 June 2025 GK Eddie Brearey Leamington 1 July 2025 CM Josh McEachran Bristol Rovers CM George Franklin Bracknell Town September 2025 LB Joe Bennett Walton & Hersham October 2025 CF Max Woltman Macclesfield October 2025 1 September 2025 CB Elliott Moore Northampton Town 10 January 2026 2 February 2026 RW Matt Phillips Stevenage 13 February 2026 3 February 2026 CB Jordan Thorniley
New contract DatePos.PlayerContract until30 May 2025 CB James Golding Undisclosed CM Joshua Johnson 2 June 2025 RB Sam Long 13 June 2025 CB Ciaron Brown 19 June 2025 GK Matt Ingram 20 June 2025 CF Mark Harris 28 June 2025 CF Leo Snowden Undisclosed 30 June 2025 GK Jamie Cumming Undisclosed 2 July 2025 RW Tyler Goodrham 27 July 2025 CF Jack Lee Undisclosed 28 August 2025 CB Aaron Lacey 2 September 2025 CF Kasway Burton 18 February 2026 RB Aidan Elliott-Wheeler Undisclosed 31 March 2026 RB Sam Long
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. A fortnight later, a second friendly was added, against Mansfield Town. On 17 June, two home pre-season friendlies were announced, against Bristol Rovers and Leganés. A tour to Indonesia was also announced, with fixtures against a Liga Indonesia XI and Arema.
Competitions Overall record
Championship
League table
Results summary
Results by round
Matches On 26 June, the Championship fixtures were announced.
FA Cup
Oxford were drawn away to Milton Keynes Dons in the third round and at home to Sunderland in the fourth round.
EFL Cup
Oxford were drawn at home to Colchester United in the first round and to Brighton & Hove Albion in the second round.
Statistics Appearances and goals Players with no appearances are not included on the list, italics indicate a loaned in player
|colspan="14"|Players who featured but departed the club during the season:
References