Championship

Championship Fixtures Released For 2026/27: An Early Look At The Opening Weekend

18 minutes ago

| BY Tony Incenzo

THE full set of EFL Championship fixtures for 2026/27 was released at 12 noon on Thursday and William Hill News look at the opening weekend’s action.

Those three clubs relegated from the Premier League – West Ham United, Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers – are already attracting plenty of football betting reflecting associated parachute payments. Although lots of other teams will fancy their chances, especially since the number of slots for competing in the Play-Offs will expand to six.

Here is my analysis of the opening weekend to assist your Championship betting…

Friday 14th August 2026

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Blackburn Rovers

Wolverhampton Wanderers preview

Final position 2025/26: 20th (bottom) in the Premier League

Relegation sufferers Wolves parted company with boss Rob Edwards and his coaching team on 11th June. Cesar Peixoto from Portugal filled the position four days later.

Blackburn Rovers preview

Final position 2025/26: 20th

Tony Mowbray resumed in the Blackburn dug out on 5th June having previously managed them between February 2017 and May 2022.

Saturday 15th August 2026

Bolton Wanderers v Preston North End

Bolton Wanderers preview

Final position 2025/26: 5th in League One

Some 16 points behind second place in League One before crushing Stockport County 4-1 at Wembley Stadium in the Play-Off Final.

Preston North End preview

Final position 2025/26: 14th

Indifferent results summed up by merely four victories from early January onwards by Preston.

Bristol City v Millwall

Bristol City preview

Final position 2025/26: 12th

The recruitment of highly rated Lincoln City boss Michael Skubala on 29th May was a massive boost for Bristol City in my opinion.

Millwall preview

Final position 2025/26: 3rd

The Lions were beaten 2-0 on aggregate by Hull City in the Championship Play-Off Semi-Finals.

Charlton Athletic v Derby County

Charlton Athletic preview

Final position 2025/26: 19th

Charlton supporters were pleased to end up six points ahead of relegation danger after 2025 promotion via the League One Play-Offs.

Derby County preview

Final position 2025/26: 8th

The Rams did well to remain in Play-Off contention until the concluding match of their 2025/26 season.

Middlesbrough v Lincoln City

Middlesbrough preview

Final position 2025/26: 5th

In an unprecedented sequence of events, Boro lost to Southampton in the Play-Off Semi-Finals but were reinstated amidst the much publicised ‘Spygate’ scandal. Then a last gasp stoppage time goal sealed Middlesbrough’s 1-0 defeat against Hull City in the Final at Wembley Stadium.

Lincoln City preview

Final position 2025/26: 1st in League One

Unbeaten beyond November and worthy champions of League One. Therefore in the second tier for the first time in 65 years. However, I feel the loss of all-conquering boss Michael Skubala is a huge setback. Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw became joint head coaches on 29th May.

Norwich City v West Bromwich Albion

Norwich City preview

Final position 2025/26: 9th

Form definitely prospered positively in light of the November 18th head coach appointment of Philippe Clement when Norwich were second bottom.

West Bromwich Albion preview

Final position 2025/26: 21st

Not a good year for Albion in concluding one place and four points above the dreaded drop zone.

Portsmouth v Queens Park Rangers

Portsmouth preview

Final position 2025/26: 18th

Pompey picked up a creditable four wins across their final six games to evade relegation peril.

Queens Park Rangers preview

Final position 2025/26: 15th

Competed admirably up to Christmas time. Alas, an incredible catalogue of injuries to key star players saw the R’s fall away.

Stoke City v Swansea City

Stoke City preview

Final position 2025/26: 17th

Disappointing endeavours brought only three maximum pointers spanning mid-January to the 2025/26 denouement.

Swansea City preview

Final position 2025/26: 11th

Head coach Vítor Matos joined on 24th November and subsequently guided Swansea upwards from 20th in the table.

Sheffield United v Birmingham City

Sheffield United preview

Final position 2025/26: 13th

The Blades were struggling relegation candidates prior to boss Chris Wilder’s return on 15th September.

Birmingham City preview

Final position 2025/26: 10th

Holding plans for a 62,000 capacity new stadium, Blues will look for improved fortunes this season.

Sunday 16th August 2026

Watford v Southampton

Watford preview

Final position 2025/26: 16th

The underachieving Hornets installed Alessio Dionisi as head coach last week. He replaces Ed Still who was sacked on 3rd May following a Vicarage Road tenure of less than three months. Dionisi departed Empoli of Italy’s Serie B in March.

Southampton preview

Final position 2025/26: 4th

Abruptly disqualified during Play-Offs partaking – despite beating Middlesbrough in the Semi-Finals – because they had spied on their opponents in training. Saints consequently start this new campaign nursing an EFL imposed four points deduction.

Burnley v West Ham United

Burnley preview

Final position 2025/26: 19th in the Premier League

An opening weekend battle of two relegated clubs. Burnley’s Scott Parker vacated his head coach role by mutual consent on 30th April. Mike Jackson assumed caretaker duties for the final four Premier League games of 2025/26. Names in the frame for the permanent position include Craig Bellamy, Ange Postecoglou, Steven Gerrard, Kasper Hjulmand and Robbie Keane.

West Ham United preview

Final position 2025/26: 18th in the Premier League

Premier League relegation on the final day was a real hammer blow for the Hammers. Their preceding appearance among second tier fixtures was in 2011/12.

Monday 17th August 2026

Cardiff City v Wrexham

Cardiff City preview

Final position 2025/26: 2nd in League One

South Wales entertains North Wales. The long-time League One leaders Cardiff City were eventually displaced by Lincoln City yet still finished 14 points clear of third spot.