2025–26 Stoke City F.C. season

Stoke City
2025–26 season
ChairmanJohn Coates
ManagerMark Robins[1]
Stadiumbet365 Stadium
Championship1st
FA Cup2025–26 FA Cup
EFL Cup2025–26 EFL Cup
Top goalscorerMillion Manhoef
Divin Mubama
(2 goals each)

The 2025–26 season is Stoke City's 109th season in the Football League, the 49th in the second tier.

Pre-season

After avoiding relegation on the final day of the 2024–25 season, manager Mark Robins quickly released his retained list. leaving the club were Lynden Gooch, Michael Rose, Enda Stevens and Jordan Thompson whilst Lewis Baker signed a one-year extension.[2] Stoke made their first signing of the summer, bringing in Welsh winger Sorba Thomas from Huddersfield Town on a three-year contract.[3] Also coming into the team were veteran left-back Aaron Cresswell, Ukrainian centre-back Maksym Talovierov, Slovakian forward Róbert Boženík and the return of Steven Nzonzi. Jamie Donley, Divin Mubama and Ashley Phillips joined on season-long loans. Departing the club were Wouter Burger, and Sol Sidibe.[4]

Stoke played friendlies against Brighton & Hove Albion, Burnley, Crewe Alexandra, Liverpool, Shrewsbury Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers.[5]

9 July 2025 Friendly Stoke City 0–1 Shrewsbury Town Stoke-on-Trent
13:00 BST Report Stewart Stadium: Clayton Wood Training Ground
Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors)
16 July 2025 Friendly Stoke City 1–3 Brighton & Hove Albion Marbella, Andalusia, Spain
18:00 BST Baker 38' (pen.) Report Mitoma 35'
Coppola 47'
Rutter 90+1'		 Stadium: Marbella Football Centre
Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors)
20 July 2025 Friendly Liverpool 5–0 Stoke City Liverpool
Chiesa
Ngumoha
Núñez 		Report Stadium: Melwood
Attendance: 0 (behind closed doors)
23 July 2025 Friendly Crewe Alexandra 1–2 Stoke City Crewe
19:30 BST March 10' (pen.) Report Lawal 21'
Thomas 34'		 Stadium: Gresty Road
26 July 2025 Friendly Stoke City 1–1 Wolverhampton Wanderers Stoke-on-Trent
15:00 BST
Report
Stadium: bet365 Stadium
2 August 2025 Friendly Stoke City 1–0 Burnley Stoke-on-Trent
15:00 BST Wilmot 13' Report Stadium: bet365 Stadium

Championship

Main article: 2025–26 EFL Championship

August

Stoke began their 2025–26 Championship campaign at home against Derby County.[6] Stoke came from a goal down to beat the Rams 3–1 with late debut goals from Divin Mubama and Sorba Thomas.[7] The first away game against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough was played with the home supporters protesting against their owner Dejphon Chansiri. His lack of funding lead to Wednesday starting the season with a threadbare squad and Stoke took full advantage, winning 3–0 with a brace from Million Manhoef and another for Mubama.[8]

Matches

9 August 2025 1 Stoke City 3–1 Derby County Stoke-on-Trent
15:00 BST Baker 70'
Mubama 90+5'
Thomas 90+9'		 Report Morris 60' Stadium: bet365 Stadium
Attendance: 25,746
16 August 2025 2 Sheffield Wednesday 0–3 Stoke City Sheffield
15:00 BST Report Manhoef 2', 69'
Mubama 46'		 Stadium: Hillsborough
Attendance: 21,683
23 August 2025 3 Southampton v Stoke City Southampton
15:00 BST Stadium: St Mary's Stadium
30 August 2025 4 Stoke City v West Bromwich Albion Stoke-on-Trent
12:30 BST Stadium: bet365 Stadium
Note: Fixture was originally scheduled for a 15:00 kick-off, but was moved live Sky Sports broadcasting.[9]
13 September 2025 5 Stoke City v Birmingham City Stoke-on-Trent
15:00 BST Stadium: bet365 Stadium
20 September 2025 6 Queens Park Rangers v Stoke City Shepherd's Bush, London
12:30 BST Stadium: Loftus Road
Note: Fixture was originally scheduled for a 15:00 kick-off, but was moved live Sky Sports broadcasting.[9]
27 September 2025 7 Stoke City v Norwich City Stoke-on-Trent
Stadium: bet365 Stadium
30 September 2025 8 Middlesbrough v Stoke City Middlesbrough
Stadium: Riverside Stadium
4 October 2025 9 Blackburn Rovers v Stoke City Blackburn
12:30 BST Stadium: Ewood Park
Note: Fixture was originally scheduled for a 15:00 kick-off, but was rescheduled for live Sky Sports broadcasting.[10]
18 October 2025 10 Stoke City v Wrexham Stoke-on-Trent
Stadium: bet365 Stadium
21 October 2025 11 Millwall v Stoke City Bermondsey, London
Stadium: The Den
25 October 2025 12 Portsmouth v Stoke City Portsmouth
12:30 BST Stadium: Fratton Park
Note: Fixture was originally scheduled for a 15:00 kick-off, but was rescheduled for live Sky Sports broadcasting.[10]
1 November 2025 13 Stoke City v Bristol City Stoke-on-Trent
Stadium: bet365 Stadium
4 November 2025 14 Oxford United v Stoke City Oxford
Stadium: Kassam Stadium
8 November 2025 15 Stoke City v Coventry City Stoke-on-Trent
Stadium: bet365 Stadium
22 November 2025 16 Leicester City v Stoke City Leicester
Stadium: King Power Stadium
25 November 2025 17 Stoke City v Charlton Athletic Stoke-on-Trent
Stadium: bet365 Stadium
29 November 2025 18 Stoke City v Hull City Stoke-on-Trent
12:30 GMT Stadium: bet365 Stadium
Note: Fixture was originally scheduled for a 15:00 kick-off, but was rescheduled for live Sky Sports broadcasting.[10]
6 December 2025 19 Sheffield United v Stoke City Sheffield
Stadium: Bramall Lane
10 December 2025 20 Ipswich Town v Stoke City Ipswich
Stadium: Portman Road
13 December 2025 21 Stoke City v Swansea City Stoke-on-Trent
12:30 GMT Stadium: bet365 Stadium
Note: Fixture was originally scheduled for a 15:00 kick-off, but was rescheduled for live Sky Sports broadcasting.[10]
20 December 2025 22 Watford v Stoke City Watford
Stadium: Vicarage Road
26 December 2025 23 Stoke City v Preston North End Stoke-on-Trent
Stadium: bet365 Stadium
29 December 2025 24 Stoke City v Sheffield United Stoke-on-Trent
Stadium: bet365 Stadium
1 January 2026 25 Hull City v Stoke City Kingston upon Hull
Stadium: MKM Stadium
4 January 2026 26 Norwich City v Stoke City Norwich
Stadium: Carrow Road
17 January 2026 27 Stoke City v Queens Park Rangers Stoke-on-Trent
Stadium: bet365 Stadium
21 January 2026 28 Stoke City v Middlesbrough Stoke-on-Trent
Stadium: bet365 Stadium
24 January 2026 29 Birmingham City v Stoke City Birmingham
Stadium: St Andrew's
31 January 2026 30 Stoke City v Southampton Stoke-on-Trent
Stadium: bet365 Stadium
7 February 2026 31 West Bromwich Albion v Stoke City West Bromwich
Stadium: The Hawthorns
14 February 2026 32 Charlton Athletic v Stoke City Charlton, London
Stadium: The Valley
21 February 2026 33 Stoke City v Leicester City Stoke-on-Trent
Stadium: bet365 Stadium
24 February 2026 34 Stoke City v Oxford United Stoke-on-Trent
Stadium: bet365 Stadium
28 February 2026 35 Coventry City v Stoke City Coventry
Stadium: Coventry Building Society Arena
7 March 2026 36 Swansea City v Stoke City Swansea
Stadium: Swansea.com Stadium
10 March 2026 37 Stoke City v Ipswich Town Stoke-on-Trent
Stadium: bet365 Stadium
14 March 2026 38 Stoke City v Watford Stoke-on-Trent
Stadium: bet365 Stadium
21 March 2026 39 Preston North End v Stoke City Preston
Stadium: Deepdale
3 April 2026 40 Stoke City v Sheffield Wednesday Stoke-on-Trent
Stadium: bet365 Stadium
6 April 2026 41 Derby County v Stoke City Derby
Stadium: Pride Park
11 April 2026 42 Stoke City v Blackburn Rovers Stoke-on-Trent
Stadium: bet365 Stadium
18 April 2026 43 Wrexham v Stoke City Wrexham
Stadium: Racecourse Ground
21 April 2026 44 Stoke City v Millwall Stoke-on-Trent
Stadium: bet365 Stadium
25 April 2026 45 Stoke City v Portsmouth Stoke-on-Trent
Stadium: bet365 Stadium
2 May 2026 46 Bristol City v Stoke City Bristol
Stadium: Ashton Gate

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 Stoke City 2 2 0 0 6 1 +5 6 Promotion to the Premier League
2 Middlesbrough 2 2 0 0 4 0 +4 6
3 West Bromwich Albion 2 2 0 0 4 2 +2 6 Qualification for the Championship play-offs
4 Bristol City 2 1 1 0 4 1 +3 4
5 Coventry City 2 1 1 0 5 3 +2 4
Updated to match(es) played on 17 August 2025. Source: EFL Official Website
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) Number of 12-point sending off offences; 9) Play-off (only if needed to determine promotion/relegation)[11]

Results by round

Round12
GroundHA
ResultWW
Position21
Points36
Updated to match(es) played on 17 August 2025. Source: Soccerway
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

EFL Cup

Main article: 2025–26 EFL Cup

Stoke were drawn at home to Walsall in the first round[12][13] and to Bradford City in the second round.[14][15]

12 August 2025 First round Stoke City 0–0
(4–3 p)		 Walsall Stoke-on-Trent
19:45 BST Report Stadium: bet365 Stadium
Attendance: 8,809
Penalties
Baker soccer ball with check mark
Donley soccer ball with check mark
Mubama soccer ball with red X
Bae Jun-ho soccer ball with check mark
Bonham soccer ball with check mark		 Matt soccer ball with check mark
Stuttle soccer ball with red X
Flint soccer ball with check mark
Jellis soccer ball with check mark
Adomah soccer ball with red X
26 August 2025 Second round Stoke City v Bradford City Stoke-on-Trent
19:45 BST Stadium: bet365 Stadium

Squad statistics

As of match played 16 August 2025
No. Pos. Name Championship FA Cup EFL Cup Total Discipline
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1 GK Sweden Viktor Johansson 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0
3 DF England Aaron Cresswell 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0
4 MF England Ben Pearson 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
7 MF Wales Sorba Thomas 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0
8 MF England Lewis Baker 2 1 0 0 0(1) 0 2(1) 1 0 0
9 FW England Divin Mubama 2 2 0 0 0(1) 0 2(1) 2 0 0
10 MF South Korea Bae Jun-ho 2 0 0 0 0(1) 0 2(1) 0 0 0
11 FW Slovakia Róbert Boženík 0(2) 0 0 0 1 0 1(2) 0 0 0
12 MF Japan Tatsuki Seko 1(1) 0 0 0 1 0 2(1) 0 1 0
13 GK Republic of Ireland Jack Bonham 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0
14 MF Northern Ireland Jamie Donley 0(2) 0 0 0 1 0 1(2) 0 0 0
15 MF France Steven Nzonzi 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
16 DF England Ben Wilmot 2 0 0 0 0(1) 0 2(1) 0 1 0
17 DF France Eric Bocat 0(1) 0 0 0 1 0 1(1) 0 0 0
18 MF Republic of Ireland Bosun Lawal 2 0 0 0 1 0 3 0 2 0
20 FW England Sam Gallagher 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
22 DF Cameroon Junior Tchamadeu 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0
23 DF England Ben Gibson 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0
26 DF England Ashley Phillips 0(2) 0 0 0 1 0 1(2) 0 0 0
29 FW France Lamine Cissé 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
34 GK England Frank Fielding 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
40 DF Ukraine Maksym Talovierov 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
42 FW Netherlands Million Manhoef 2 2 0 0 1 0 3 2 0 0
46 MF England Will Smith 0 0 0 0 0(1) 0 0(1) 0 0 0
56 MF England Favour Fawunmi 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0
57 DF England Jaden Mears 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0
Own goals — 0 — 0 — 0 — 0 —

Transfers

In

Date Pos. Name From Fee Ref.
7 June 2025 MF Wales Sorba Thomas England Huddersfield Town Undisclosed [16]
5 July 2025 DF Ukraine Maksym Talovierov England Plymouth Argyle Undisclosed [17]
10 July 2025 DF England Aaron Cresswell England West Ham United Free [18]
24 July 2025 FW Slovakia Róbert Boženík Portugal Boavista Undisclosed [19]
8 August 2025 MF France Steven Nzonzi Iran Sepahan Free [20]
14 August 2025 FW France Lamine Cissé France Bastia Undisclosed [21]
15 August 2025 GK England Caleb Clothier Switzerland Zürich Free [22]
15 August 2025 FW England Jerome Osei England Crystal Palace Free [23]

Out

Date Pos. Name To Fee Ref.
25 June 2024 FW England Niall Ennis England Blackpool Undisclosed [24]
30 June 2024 FW England Dean Adekoya Unattached Released [25]
30 June 2024 GK England Alfie Brooks England AFC Telford United Released [25][26]
30 June 2024 DF United States Lynden Gooch England Huddersfield Town Released [27][28]
30 June 2024 MF England Jack Griffiths Unattached Released [25]
30 June 2024 DF Republic of Ireland Christy Grogan England Stockport County Released [29][30]
30 June 2024 FW England Keke Jeffers Unattached Released [25]
30 June 2024 DF Scotland Michael Rose Unattached Released [27]
30 June 2024 DF Republic of Ireland Enda Stevens Unattached Released [27]
30 June 2024 MF Northern Ireland Jordan Thompson England Preston North End Released [27][31]
22 July 2025 MF Netherlands Wouter Burger Germany TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Undisclosed [32]
1 August 2025 MF England Sol Sidibe Netherlands PSV Eindhoven Undisclosed [33]

Loans in

Date from Pos. Name From Date to Ref.
5 July 2025 FW England Divin Mubama England Manchester City 31 May 2026 [34]
23 July 2025 DF England Ashley Phillips England Tottenham Hotspur 31 May 2026 [35]
6 August 2025 MF Northern Ireland Jamie Donley England Tottenham Hotspur 31 May 2026 [36]

Loans out

Date from Pos. Name To Date until Ref
15 July 2025 MF Republic of Ireland Darius Lipsiuc England Solihull Moors 1 January 2026 [37]
18 July 2025 GK England Tommy Simkin England Leyton Orient 31 May 2026 [38]
24 July 2025 FW England Emre Tezgel England Crewe Alexandra 31 May 2026 [39]
29 July 2025 MF Poland Wiktor Gromek Poland Jastrzębie 4 January 2026 [40]
29 July 2025 FW Serbia Nikola Jojić Slovenia Radomlje 31 May 2026 [41]
30 July 2025 FW England Nathan Lowe England Stockport County 31 May 2026 [42]

References

  1. ^ "Robins appointed Manager of the Potters". Stoke City FC. 1 January 2025. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  2. ^ "Thompson to leave Stoke as Potters extend Baker deal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
  3. ^ Smith, Peter (7 June 2025). "Stoke City confirm first permanent signing of Mark Robins era". Stoke on Trent Live. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  4. ^ "Stoke City have 'done everything' to create change as Mark Robins sets checkpoint aim". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  5. ^ "Potters to face two Premier League sides at home, as pre-season programme confirmed". Stoke City. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  6. ^ "Potters rumble with the Rams on Championship's opening day". Stoke City. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  7. ^ "Stoke City 3-1 Derby County: Potters net two late goals to seal opening-day win". Sky Sports. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  8. ^ "Sheffield Wednesday 0-3 Stoke City: Million Manhoef scores twice in comfortable Potters win". Sky Sports. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  9. ^ a b "Kick-off times amended for two early season fixtures". Stoke City FC. 4 July 2025. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
  10. ^ a b c d "Four City fixtures selected for Sky Sports+ coverage". Stoke City FC. 29 July 2025. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  11. ^ "EFL Regulations Section 3 – The League; subsection 9 – Method of Determining League Positions". English Football League. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  12. ^ "Carabao Cup Round One confirmed". English Football League. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  13. ^ "Match details confirmed for Carabao Cup clash". Stoke City FC. 4 July 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  14. ^ "Bantams battle awaits in Carabao Cup". Stoke City FC. 13 August 2025. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  15. ^ "Ticket details confirmed for round two Carabao Cup clash". Stoke City FC. 15 August 2025. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  16. ^ "8 minutes ago First Team Potters sign Wales international Sorba Thomas". Stoke City. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  17. ^ "City sign Ukraine giant Talovierov". Stoke City FC. 5 July 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  18. ^ "City clinch Cresswell signing". Stoke City FC. 10 July 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  19. ^ "Slovak striker Boženík signs for Stoke City". Stoke City FC. 24 July 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  20. ^ "Potters legend makes ST4 return". Stoke City FC. 8 August 2025. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  21. ^ "City secure Cissé signing". Stoke City FC. 14 August 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  22. ^ "Caleb Clothier joins City's under-21s". Stoke City FC. 15 August 2025. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  23. ^ "Osei links up with City's under-21s". Stoke City FC. 15 August 2025. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  24. ^ "Ennis completes permanent transfer to Blackpool". Stoke City. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  25. ^ a b c d "Club List of Registered Players" (PDF). English Football League. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
  26. ^ "Welcome Freddie and Alfie!". AFC Telford United. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  27. ^ a b c d "Potters provide end of season contracts update". Stoke City. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
  28. ^ "Lynden Gooch Joins Town". Huddersfield Town AFC. 15 July 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  29. ^ "Stoke City prospect confirms departure after nine years". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  30. ^ "Exciting young talents sign pro-deals at Edgeley Park". Stockport County FC. 29 May 2025. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
  31. ^ "Jordan Thompson Becomes First Summer Signing". Preston North End. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  32. ^ "Midfielder Burger leaves Stoke for Bundesliga side". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  33. ^ "Sidibe departs Potters for PSV". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
  34. ^ "Mubama becomes City's new number nine". Stoke City FC. 5 July 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  35. ^ "Potters pull off Phillips transfer coup". Stoke City FC. 23 July 2025. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  36. ^ "Potters sign Spurs attacking midfielder on loan". Stoke City FC. 6 August 2025. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  37. ^ "Lipsiuc links up with Solihull". Stoke City FC. 15 July 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  38. ^ "Simkin joins Orient on season-long loan". Stoke City FC. 18 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  39. ^ "Emre Tezgel completes Crewe loan move". Stoke City FC. 24 July 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  40. ^ "Gromek joins GKS Jastrzebie on loan". Stoke City FC. 29 July 2025. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  41. ^ "Jojić joins NK Radomlje on loan". Stoke City FC. 29 July 2025. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
  42. ^ "Lowe lands League One loan". Stoke City FC. 30 July 2025. Retrieved 30 July 2025.
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