The Latics returned to the Football League after after securing promotion from the National League via the play-offs, and will play at Stadium MK for the first time since January 2019 in the curtain raiser.
Paul Warne’s first away day will see his side take on the longest journey of the season away at Barrow, before welcoming Cheltenham to MK1. Dons will round out the month at Crawley Town, where they will cross paths with former boss Scott Lindsey, and at Newport County.
Festive football will return to Stadium MK, with Dons at home on Boxing Day against Swindon and on December 29 against Notts County (last season’s Boxing Day opposition), before bringing in the New Year away at Colchester United.
Popular away days feature in February and March, with trips to Walsall (Feb 21), Cambridge (Feb 28) and Swindon (Mar 14), before rounding out the campaign on May 3 away at Fleetwood Town.
5. January 2026
Thu Jan 1 Colchester United A Sun Jan 4 Chesterfield H Sat Jan 10 Gillingham A (Emirates FA Cup 3) Sat Jan 17 Accrington Stanley A Sat Jan 24 Shrewsbury Town H Tue Jan 27 Bristol Rovers H Sat Jan 31 Grimsby Town A | Getty Images
6. February 2026
Sat Feb 7 Cheltenham Town A Sat Feb 14 Newport County H Emirates FA Cup 4 Tue Feb 17 Crawley Town H Sat Feb 21 Walsall A Sat Feb 28 Cambridge United A | Getty Images
7. March 2026
Sat Mar 7 Harrogate Town H Emirates FA Cup 5 Sat Mar 14 Swindon Town A Tue Mar 17 Colchester United H Sat Mar 21 Barnet H Sat Mar 28 Salford City A | Jane Russell
8. April 2026
Fri Apr 3 Barrow H Mon Apr 6 Oldham Athletic A Sat Apr 11 Bromley H Sat Apr 18 Crewe Alexandra A Sat Apr 25 Tranmere Rovers H | Getty Images