Wes Burns is one of the Town players out of contract this summer (Image: PA)
Retained list
The first building block in any summer, Town’s retained list should be out soon.
The club revealed earlier this month that Conor Chaplin will be departing this summer, but there are still question marks over the likes of Wes Burns, Harry Clarke and Cameron Humphreys.
Last year, the club released its retained list on June 2nd. The year before, it was June 3rd. Early June looks a good bet, then – perhaps Monday, June 1st.
My colleague Stuart Watson has already previewed the retained list and what to expect – have a look.
Mark Ashton has already promised a busy transfer window. It opens on June 15th (Image: Steve Waller)
Transfer window opens
It’s certain to be a busy summer for the Blues. CEO Mark Ashton has already said it ‘won’t be cheap.’
The Blues have actually already made two signings, of course – defender Cedric Kipre and forward Chuba Akpom joining after their loan spells.
More business can begin when the summer transfer window opens on Monday June, 15th.
It slams shut this year on Monday, August 31st.
How many players will Town sign? My bet is double figures again.
Could Ipswich Town and Kieran McKenna face good pal Michael Carrick and Manchester United to start the 2026/27 season? We’ll find out on June 19th (Image: PA)
Fixtures release day
The week of June 15th is when things really get going. The transfer window opens on the Monday, and the week finishes with Town’s Premier League fixtures being released.
They are revealed at 10am on Friday, June 19th. Fearless prediction: Town will play everyone twice, home and away.
Seriously though, how about Manchester United at home – McKenna versus good pal Michael Carrick – for an opening fixture? That would be a cracker.
Ipswich Town’s new kits were revealed in early July last year (Image: Matchday Images/ITFC)
New kits revealed
Fixtures release day is good, but for many fans the big day in any summer is kit release day.
There are rumours that next season’s kit will be manufactured by Nike after years of Umbro threads. Not sure how I feel about that, if true.
Anyway, you’re likely going to have to wait until early July to see it. This season’s kits were released on July 5th last summer. The year before, it was July 6th.
I reckon they’ll go with blue and white for the home kit again, you know.
George Hirst scored twice as Ipswich Town eased past Blau-Weiss Linz in their first public pre-season friendly last July (Image: Ross Halls)
Friendly matches
After the kits comes the first time we get to see the new-look Blues wearing them.
Town will head abroad for a training camp or camps this summer – last year they flew to Austria for some picturesque preparations starting on July 14th.
That week of training culminated with a first friendly match against FC Blau-Weiß Linz on July 19th – three weeks before their Championship season began.
If they do the same this season, expect the first friendly game in the week of July 27th. A trip to Oxford United in early August has also been rumoured, as have games at Portman Road pre-big kick-off.
This year, it seems Spain will be the destination for their training camp.
Town hosted Liverpool to start their last Premier League season. The 2026/27 campaign starts on August 22nd (Image: PA)
New season kicks off
All of which brings us to the big day – the start of the 2026/27 Premier League season.
Last time out, Town hosted Liverpool on a day to remember.
This time around, the season kicks off on Saturday, August 22nd – later than usual, because of this summer’s World Cup.
The 2026/27 Premier League season ends on Sunday, May 30, 2027. Hopefully with Town firmly outside the bottom three!