Championship 2026-27 Season Begins With Expanded Playoffs

The 2026-27 EFL Championship season will begin on Friday, August 14, 2026, with Wolverhampton Wanderers hosting Blackburn Rovers at Molineux. The opening fixture marks the start of a 46-game campaign that will conclude on May 1, 2027, followed by a playoff final on May 29, 2027. This season introduces a significant change to the promotion race, with six teams now qualifying for the playoffs instead of the traditional four, meaning clubs finishing as low as eighth in the table will have a chance to compete for a place in the Premier League.

Wolves, now managed by Cesar Peixoto, are among the favorites to win the title after their relegation from the Premier League last season. They are joined in the second tier by fellow relegated sides West Ham United and Burnley. West Ham, under manager Nuno Espirito Santo, and Burnley, led by Belgian coach Nicky Hayen, are also expected to challenge for an immediate return to the top flight. The opening weekend features a marquee clash between Burnley and West Ham at Turf Moor on Sunday, August 16.

The Championship will feature three newly promoted teams: Lincoln City, Cardiff City, and Bolton Wanderers. Lincoln City, the League One champions,...