SportsCatch
EN

Wolves open 2026-27 Championship season at home as West Ham and Burnley clash on opening weekend

The EFL has released its 2026-27 fixture list, with relegated Wolves hosting Blackburn in a Friday-night opener on August 14. West Ham, returning to the second tier for the first time in 14 years, face Burnley at Turf Moor the following Sunday.

2 min read
Wolves open 2026-27 Championship season at home as West Ham and Burnley clash on opening weekend
Share

Wolverhampton Wanderers will kick off the 2026-27 EFL Championship season at Molineux on Friday, August 14, hosting Blackburn Rovers in an 8pm fixture — the club’s first second-tier match since 2018. New Wolves head coach Cesar Peixoto faces a Blackburn side managed by returning boss Tony Mowbray.

Fellow Premier League relegates West Ham United and Burnley meet at Turf Moor on the Sunday of the opening weekend. For West Ham, the fixture marks their first season outside the top flight in 14 years; the London Stadium will host Championship football for the first time the following Saturday, when the club face capital rivals Charlton. Burnley, by contrast, are making their third return to the second tier since 2023.

Southampton also begin their campaign on Sunday, looking to move on from last month’s play-off expulsion for spying, with a trip to Watford’s Vicarage Road. The opening weekend concludes on Monday with a Welsh derby, as promoted Cardiff City host Wrexham.

Beaten play-off finalists Middlesbrough welcome Lincoln City to the Riverside Stadium. Lincoln’s appearance is a notable one — the club returns to the second tier after a 65-year absence. The Saturday slate includes a lunchtime Lancashire derby between Bolton Wanderers and Preston North End at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.

Leagues One and Two get under way on Saturday, August 15. Leicester City, a decade on from their extraordinary Premier League title triumph, begin life in League One at Notts County in a 12:30pm kick-off. Sheffield Wednesday, now under new owners Arise Capital Partners, travel to Leyton Orient, while Bromley embark on their first-ever third-tier campaign away at Barnsley. Relegated Oxford United open at home against newly-promoted MK Dons.

In League Two, York City mark their return to the EFL after ten years by hosting Bristol Rovers. Promoted Rochdale visit Newport in a 12:30pm kick-off, and Rotherham United — relegated from League One — play their first fourth-tier fixture since 2013 away at Cheltenham.

All 72 EFL clubs are in action across the opening weekend of August 14–16.

Share