PNE skipper Ben Whiteman is looking forward to locking horns with some old faces when their season kicks off a week on Saturday.
Instead of league football, the 2026/27 campaign launches with round one of the Carabao Cup which sees North End play Huddersfield Town.
Another departure from the norm is the venue for that game as Goodison Park is hosting the tie.
Deepdale is out of action as PNE apply the finishing touches to their new pitch before Wolves make the visit on August 22.
It will be only the third time North End have played at Goodison since October 1960, having lost 2-0 to Everton in FA Cup and Carling Cup ties in 2000 and 2004 respectively.
With all of that in mind, the match with Huddersfield at least provides Paul Heckingbottom’s players with something familiar.
The opposition camp features two former Lilywhites in Jack Whatmough and Ryan Ledson, as Huddersfield begin their first season under new boss Martin Drury.
White North End’s first home game is ‘on the road’, Whiteman hopes to see as many supporters as possible making the journey to a ground now used by Everton’s women after the men moved to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
He said: “You look at Everton moving to a new stadium, it’s a stadium that's iconic in British football history.
“It’s one that we’re really looking forward to. We're going to see some old faces, who’ve been really good for the football club as well, in Jack Whatmough and Ryan Ledson.
“If you look at Preston North End’s history, it’d be great for the fans to get over there and watch the game.
“It’s going to be different to Deepdale, no doubt about that, but I understand how expensive football can be and we really appreciate the support they give us.
“We know it’s going to be tough for them, but hopefully we can see them there in their numbers.
“There’s still a bit of work to do to tidy a few things up but once the first game’s there, we’ll be more than ready.”