The 2026–27 season is Rochdale's 120th in existence and their first season back being in League Two since the 2022–23 season following promotion from the National League in the preceding season. The club would also participate in the FA Cup, the EFL Cup and the EFL Trophy.
Managerial changes Prior to the season starting, Jimmy McNulty left as head coach to join League One side Stockport County. He was shortly replaced by Ian Watson from South Shields.
Transfers In DatePos.PlayerFromFeeRef. 2 July 2026 RW Cian Hayes Peterborough United Undisclosed 8 July 2026 CM Will Jenkins South Shields 9 July 2026 CB Laurence Maguire Milton Keynes Dons Free 24 July 2026 GK Sam Waller Harrogate Town 27 July 2026 CB Sam Sherring Milton Keynes Dons 28 July 2026 LW Zain Silcott-Duberry Sheffield Wednesday GK Jake Spaven Wigan Athletic 4 August 2026 RW Jonny Smith Undisclosed 14 August 2026 CM Baba Adeeko 1 September 2026 LW Glenn Middleton Doncaster Rovers 11 September 2026 CB Aden Flint Walsall Free
Loaned in DatePos.PlayerLoaned fromLoaned untilRef. 17 July 2026 GK Nils Ramming Brighton & Hove Albion End of Season CB Kaiden Wilson Chelsea 6 August 2026 CF Dajaune Brown Derby County 21 August 2026 CM Kane Taylor Aston Villa 1 September 2026 RB Charlie Tasker Brighton & Hove Albion
Loaned out DatePos.PlayerLoaned toDate untilRef.
Out DatePos.PlayerToFeeRef. 30 June 2026 CM Liam Humbles Altrincham Undisclosed
Released / out of contract DatePos.PlayerSubsequent clubJoined dateRef. 30 June 2026 LW Tarryn Allarakhia Boreham Wood 1 July 2026 CB Kyron Gordon Stockport County LB David Tutonda Accrington Stanley 16 July 2026 CF Tyler Smith Derry City 1 August 2026 GK Tom Myles Salford City 25 August 2026 LM Aidan Barlow CM Jake Burger CF Manny Duku CAM Anthony Gomez Mancini RB Bryce Hosannah LW Connor McBride LM Joe Pritchard
New contract DatePos.PlayerContract expiryRef. 4 July 2026 CF Ian Henderson 30 June 2027
Pre-season and friendlies On 8 June, Dale announced a pre-season friendly against FC United of Manchester. Two days later, a fixture against Farnham Town was confirmed. A training camp in Murcia, Spain between 16–21 July was later announced along with a TBC behind closed doors friendly. On 26 June, a second home pre-season friendly was confirmed against FC Halifax Town.
Competitions Overall record
League Two
League table
Results summary
Results by round
Matches On 25 June, the League Two fixtures were revealed.
FA Cup
EFL Cup
Rochdale were drawn against Tranmere Rovers away in the preliminary round.
EFL Trophy
Group stage
Rochdale were drawn against Doncaster Rovers, Huddersfield Town and Liverpool U21 side into Northern Group H.
Squad statistics Italics indicate a loaned in player. Appearances and goals
Disciplinary record
Rank Name League Two FA Cup EFL Cup EFL Trophy Total 1 13 RB Tobi Adebayo-Rowling 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 2 8 CM Harvey Gilmour 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 14 CDM Edward Francis 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 19 LM Luke Hannant 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 22 RB Dan Moss 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 27 LB Bryant Bilongo 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 5 1 GK Nils Ramming 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 CB Kaiden Wilson 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 10 RW Devante Rodney 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 11 LM Zain Silcott-Duberry 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 17 CDM Baba Adeeko 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 26 CB Sam Sherring 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 39 CF Dajaune Brown 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 45 LW Glenn Middleton 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Total 12 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 16 3 0
References