The 2026-27 EFL Championship fixtures were released on Thursday lunchtime, with relegated sides Burnley and West Ham United meeting at Turf Moor on Sunday 16 August as both seek an immediate return to the top flight.
Whilst the Hammers have kept the faith with Nuno Espirito Santo for their first second-tier season since 2011-12, Burnley are currently without a manager after parting company with Scott Parker. On Thursday morning, Wales boss Craig Bellamy was ruled out of the running despite reports that he was on the verge of moving to Turf Moor.
The clash between the two will be the second game on the opening Sunday, kicking off at 4.30pm. The season gets underway on Friday 14 August with the other of the relegated trio, Wolverhampton Wanderers, hosting Blackburn Rovers.
Lincoln On The Road
One of the biggest stories of the 2025-26 season was undoubtedly Lincoln City. The Imps roared to the League One title with 103 points, securing promotion to the second tier for the first time since 1961.
They will be on the road on the opening weekend of the season as they host last season’s losing play-off finalists Middlesbrough. Their opening home game of the season comes a week later as they welcome Portsmouth to Sincil Bank.
However, they will have to mastermind the campaign without the promotion-winning manager Michael Skubala, who left the club to take the job at Bristol City earlier this month. He has since been replaced by his assistants in Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw.
Home Clashes For Other Promoted Sides
The two sides that joined Lincoln in securing promotion last season will both be at home for their opening games. Bolton Wanderers, who won the play-off final against near neighbours Stockport County, will host Preston North End in a lunchtime kick-off on Saturday 15 August.
Cardiff City, who were automatically promoted as runners-up, will be closing the first weekend of the season on the Monday night as they welcome fellow Welsh side Wrexham to the Cardiff City Stadium.
Play-Off Sides On The Road
The other two sides who competed in the play-offs have away games to get their season underway. Millwall make the trip to the West Country to face Bristol City. The Lions narrowly missed out on automatic promotion as they finished in third, before losing to Hull City in the play-offs.
There will no doubt be plenty of eyes on Southampton after they were thrown out of the play-offs following the ‘Spygate’ controversy, which saw them given a four-point deduction. Tonda Eckert’s side travel to Watford on the Sunday, kicking off at 1.30pm.
Remaining Opening Games
There are five other matches on the opening Saturday of the season, with Sheffield United’s clash with Birmingham City at Bramall Lane will kick-off at 5.30pm, while the others will be at 3.00pm, every opening weekend game being live on Sky Sports.
With the play-offs now expanding to six teams, Derby County and Norwich City will be among those hoping to secure a top-eight finish after narrowly missing out last time around. Both will take on sides looking to kick on after securing survival in May, with Derby travelling to Charlton and Norwich host West Brom.
The other two games on the Saturday will see Queens Park Rangers head to the South Coast to take on Portsmouth, while Stoke City will host Swansea City.
Championship clubs will actually get their seasons underway a week earlier, with the First Round of the Carabao Cup taking place from 7-9 August, with the draw taking place later today.
Championship Opening Weekend Fixtures
Friday 14 August
Wolves v Blackburn, 8.00pm
Saturday 15 August
Bolton v Preston, 12.30pm
Bristol City v Millwall, 3.00pm
Charlton v Derby, 3.00pm
Middlesbrough v Lincoln, 3.00pm
Norwich v West Brom, 3.00pm
Portsmouth v QPR, 3.00pm
Stoke v Swansea, 3.00pm
Sheff Utd v Birmingham, 5.30pm
Sunday 16 August
Watford v Southampton, 1.30pm
Burnley v West Ham, 4.00pm
Monday 17 August
Cardiff v Wrexham, 8.00pm
