Southend United 2026/27 Fixtures: Key Dates for the New Season
Southend United will begin the new National League season away to Altrincham, with Scunthorpe United providing the first opposition at Roots Hall. Here are the opening matches, local games, festive fixtures and the key dates for the end of the campaign.
Southend start the season at Altrincham
Southend United will begin the 2026/27 National League season away to Altrincham on Saturday 8 August, before welcoming Scunthorpe United to Roots Hall for the first home game one week later.
The new campaign includes six clubs entering the National League. Barrow and Harrogate Town were relegated from the Football League, while Worthing, AFC Fylde, Kidderminster Harriers and Hornchurch earned promotion from the National League North and South.
That gives the Shrimpers several new opponents and away destinations, as well as a particularly eye-catching pair of local fixtures against Hornchurch.
Opening five fixtures
Southend’s season begins with a trip to Altrincham for a traditional Saturday afternoon kick-off. The Shrimpers then return to Roots Hall on Saturday 15 August when Scunthorpe United provide the opposition in the first home fixture of the campaign.
A busy opening month also includes a visit to Solihull Moors, a Friday night home game against newly promoted Kidderminster Harriers and an August Bank Holiday trip to Woking.
Key dates for Southend supporters
The fixture list has provided several dates which will immediately stand out, including the opening day, the first match at Roots Hall, the arrival of former Football League opposition and the two local meetings with Hornchurch.
Hornchurch provide the local festive fixtures
One of the most eye-catching additions to the National League is Hornchurch, giving Southend a new local fixture during the 2026/27 season.
The two clubs have been paired together for the festive and Easter periods. Hornchurch will visit Roots Hall on Boxing Day before Southend make the short journey to Hornchurch on Easter Monday.
The Boxing Day meeting should attract considerable interest, with the relatively short distance offering Hornchurch supporters the opportunity to travel in numbers.
Southend’s Christmas and New Year schedule
The festive period begins with a Friday night trip to AFC Fylde on 18 December. Southend then face Hornchurch at Roots Hall on Boxing Day before travelling to Sutton United two days later.
The Shrimpers will begin 2027 with an away game against FC Halifax Town, followed by a home fixture against newly promoted Worthing.
New opponents coming to Roots Hall
Southend will host former Football League side Barrow on Saturday 26 September, with the return fixture at Holker Street taking place on Saturday 13 February.
Harrogate Town’s visit to Roots Hall is scheduled for Saturday 5 December. Southend will then travel to Harrogate for their penultimate away game of the regular season on Saturday 17 April.
Newly promoted AFC Fylde visit Roots Hall on Saturday 3 October, while Southend’s first meeting with Worthing will be an away game on Tuesday 27 October.
Kidderminster Harriers provide the first Friday night home match of the season on 28 August, while Hornchurch complete the list of new opponents when they arrive at Roots Hall on Boxing Day.
Easter weekend
Southend have been handed two relatively local fixtures over the Easter weekend. Sutton United visit Roots Hall on Good Friday before the Shrimpers travel to Hornchurch on Easter Monday.
The Easter programme is followed by another home match, with Wealdstone visiting Roots Hall on Saturday 3 April.
Final four fixtures
Southend’s final four matches include two games at Roots Hall and away trips to Aldershot Town and Harrogate Town.
The Shrimpers will finish the regular season at home to Hartlepool United on Saturday 24 April, with the final-day fixture scheduled for a 12.30pm kick-off.
A season of new opponents and important dates
With the opening-day trip to Altrincham, a first home match against Scunthorpe United, local encounters with Hornchurch and a final-day fixture at Roots Hall, the 2026/27 National League calendar has delivered plenty of dates for Southend supporters to look forward to.
The Shrimpers-online will provide news, previews, reports and supporter information throughout the new season.