If the prospect of life in National League South is yet to sink in for newly-promoted Folkestone Invicta, it certainly will in the opening weeks of the season.
Jay Saunders’ Isthmian Premier champions have been handed a number of tough tests in the opening month of the campaign – including back-to-back Kent derbies.
Folkestone begin their campaign at home to another newly-promoted team in Walton & Hersham on Saturday, August 8 before visiting Ebbsfleet United seven days later.
Saunders then takes his Folkestone side to his former club, Maidstone, on Tuesday, August 18. That game is followed by a home clash against much-fancied Chelmsford on August 22.
The derby at home to Dover Athletic will be on Boxing Day with the return trip to Crabble on Easter Monday.
Folkestone finish their campaign away to Hampton & Richmond on Saturday, April 24.
Folkestone Invicta 2026-27 fixtures
Sat Aug 8 Walton & Hersham H
Sat Aug 15 Ebbsfleet United A
Tue Aug 18 Maidstone United A
Sat Aug 22 Chelmsford City H
Sat Aug 29 Slough Town A
Mon Aug 31 Hemel Hempstead Town H
Sat Sep 5 Torquay United A
Tue Sep 8 Horsham H
Sat Sep 12 Farnham Town H
Sat Sep 26 Salisbury A
Sat Oct 10 Weston-super-Mare A
Sat Oct 17 AFC Totton H
Sat Oct 24 Farnborough H
Tue Oct 27 Tonbridge Angels A
Sat Oct 31 Chesham United A
Sat Nov 7 Truro City H
Sat Nov 21 Maidenhead United A
Tue Nov 24 Dorking Wanderers H
Sat Nov 28 Hampton & Richmond Borough H
Sat Dec 5 Dagenham & Redbridge A
Tue Dec 8 Walton & Hersham A
Sat Dec 19 Ebbsfleet United H
Sat Dec 26 Dover Athletic H
Mon Dec 28 Braintree Town A
Sat Jan 2 Billericay Town A
Sat Jan 9 Weston-super-Mare H
Sat Jan 16 Salisbury H
Sat Jan 23 Farnham Town A
Tue Jan 26 Dorking Wanderers A
Sat Jan 30 Maidenhead United H
Sat Feb 6 Truro City A
Sat Feb 13 Chesham United H
Tue Feb 16 Tonbridge Angels H
Sat Feb 20 Farnborough A
Tue Feb 23 Horsham A
Sat Feb 27 Slough Town H
Sat Mar 6 Chelmsford City A
Tue Mar 9 Maidstone United H
Sat Mar 13 Torquay United H
Sat Mar 20 Hemel Hempstead Town A
Fri Mar 26 Braintree Town H
Mon Mar 29 Dover Athletic A
Sat Apr 3 Billericay Town H
Sat Apr 10 AFC Totton A
Sat Apr 17 Dagenham & Redbridge H
Sat Apr 24 Hampton & Richmond Borough A