Severe winter weather has caused widespread disruption across the English Football League (EFL), with several matches postponed on Sunday due to frozen pitches. Among the most notable cancellations were Sheffield United vs Oxford United in the Championship and Portsmouth vs Ipswich Town, both called off following pitch inspections.

With overnight temperatures plunging well below freezing in parts of England, match officials were left with little choice but to prioritise player safety, resulting in a growing list of postponed fixtures across the Championship, League One and League Two.

Sheffield United vs Oxford United Called Off After Pitch Inspection

The Championship clash between Sheffield United and Oxford United, scheduled for a 12:00 GMT kick-off at Bramall Lane, was officially postponed after a referee inspection revealed frozen sections of the pitch.

In a statement, Sheffield United confirmed that despite efforts by groundstaff, parts of the playing surface remained unsafe due to sub-zero temperatures overnight in South Yorkshire.

The postponement was announced shortly before kick-off, disappointing supporters who had already made their way to the stadium.

Portsmouth vs Ipswich Also Postponed at Fratton Park

Elsewhere in the Championship, Portsmouth’s home fixture against Ipswich Town, due to kick off at 15:00 GMT, was also postponed.

A pitch inspection conducted at 11:00 GMT at Fratton Park deemed the surface unplayable, with frozen areas making it unsafe for competitive football.

The decision added to growing frustration among fans as weather conditions continued to wreak havoc on the football calendar.

League One Fixtures Fall Victim to Freezing Conditions

The freezing weather also affected League One, where two fixtures were postponed on Sunday:

• Doncaster Rovers vs Luton Town
• Rotherham United vs Mansfield Town

Both matches failed pitch inspections after ground temperatures remained below freezing, leaving surfaces too hard and uneven for play.

League Two Sees Major Disruption Across the Country

The impact was most severe in League Two, where a total of nine fixtures were postponed across the weekend. Five matches had already been called off on Saturday, with four more failing inspections on Sunday.

Sunday’s postponed League Two matches included:

• Barnet vs Crewe Alexandra
• Barrow vs Bristol Rovers
• Colchester United vs Accrington Stanley
• Newport County vs Tranmere Rovers

In addition, the following fixtures were also postponed due to frozen pitches:

• Bromley vs Oldham Athletic
• Harrogate Town vs Swindon Town
• Notts County vs Gillingham
• Salford City vs Shrewsbury Town
• Walsall vs Fleetwood Town

The growing number of postponements highlights the challenges clubs face during harsh winter spells, particularly those without undersoil heating systems.

Full List of Postponed EFL Matches (Sunday)

Championship

• Sheffield United vs Oxford United (12:00 GMT)
• Portsmouth vs Ipswich Town

League One

• Doncaster Rovers vs Luton Town
• Rotherham United vs Mansfield Town

League Two

• Barnet vs Crewe Alexandra
• Barrow vs Bristol Rovers
• Bromley vs Oldham Athletic
• Colchester United vs Accrington Stanley
• Harrogate Town vs Swindon Town
• Newport County vs Tranmere Rovers
• Notts County vs Gillingham
• Salford City vs Shrewsbury Town
• Walsall vs Fleetwood Town

What Happens Next?

Postponed fixtures will be rearranged for later dates in an already congested football calendar, raising concerns about fixture pile-ups later in the season.

With cold conditions expected to persist in parts of the UK, clubs and supporters alike remain on alert for further postponements in the coming days.