COLCHESTER United will kick off the new Sky Bet League Two season with a trip to play Northampton Town.
The U's will visit the Cobblers, last season's beaten League Two play-off semi-finalists, on July 30, after the EFL fixtures for the 2022-23 campaign were released this morning.
Wayne Brown's side will then host Carlisle United on August 6 in their first home game before a trip to play newly-promoted Stockport County, on August 13.
Colchester will visit Gillingham on Boxing Day and host Swindon Town, on New Year's Day.
Over the Easter period, they will visit Stevenage on Good Friday and host Crewe Alexandra, on Easter Monday.
The U's will complete the season with a home game against Mansfield Town on May 6.
Colchester will be joined in League Two this season by Stockport County, who will be returning to the EFL following their promotion as National League champions.
They will take on Grimsby Town, who beat Solihull Moors in the National League play-off final, at the London Stadium.
Coming down to the fourth tier of English football from League One are Gillingham, AFC Wimbledon, Doncaster Rovers and Crewe Alexandra.
Brown will be looking to get off to a good start following his appointment as Colchester's new head coach on a permanent basis, last month.
The U's finished last season strongly, taking ten points from a possible 12 and will be aiming to continue that momentum this time around.
Colchester’s players returned for pre-season training a week earlier than usual owing to the new season starting early due to the World Cup, in Qatar.
The U's will begin their pre-season friendly programme with a trip to play Championship side Reading, on July 2.
The behind-closed-doors match will take place at Reading's training ground, with Brown getting the chance to see his squad in action for the first time ahead of a brand new season.
The U's will also take on the likes of Millwall, Southend United and Bath City, as part of their preparations for the new campaign.
The draw for the first round of the Carabao Cup takes place at 2.30pm today and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports News.
Colchester will also find out who will join them in Papa John's Trophy Group A at 11.30am today, also on Sky Sports News.
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