London, September 7 — The 2026/27 EFL Championship season is set to begin on Friday 14 August 2026 and run until Saturday 1 May 2027, with the play-off final scheduled for Saturday 29 May 2027. The season features all 24 clubs in midweek action across Tuesday and Wednesday, with three-game weeks a regular fixture.
The opening midweek round (Tuesday 1 and Wednesday 2 September 2026) includes standout matches: Birmingham City v Southampton, West Ham v Wolves, and Stoke City v Norwich City on Tuesday, while Millwall v Wrexham and Burnley v Middlesbrough headline Wednesday’s schedule. Relegated from the Premier League are Burnley, West Ham, and Wolves, who bring talent-packed squads but face strong competition from expected challengers including Middlesbrough, Norwich City, Southampton, Sheffield United, and Wrexham.
Key Changes and Challenges
A key structural change this season is the expansion of play-off spots from four to six, making the Premier League promotion dream feel more attainable for all 24 clubs. Newly promoted teams Cardiff City, Lincoln City, and Bolton Wanderers will prioritize survival. UK viewers have extensive live coverage throughout the campaign, primarily on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football, Sky Sports Ultra HD, and Sky Sports+, with select matches also broadcast on ITV1, STV, ITVX, and STV Player.
Notable free-to-air picks include Millwall v West Ham United on Saturday 19 September 2026 (12:30pm, ITV1/STV/Sky Sports) and Southampton v Portsmouth on Sunday 11 October 2026 (12pm, ITV1/STV). The full TV schedule lists dozens of fixtures across September and October 2026, with kick-off times in UK time and subject to change.
Competition and Coverage
The season is described as a 46-game wild ride, with the EFL’s top division widely considered the most competitive in football. With a number of strong teams competing, including Middlesbrough, Norwich City, Southampton, Sheffield United, and Wrexham, the Championship is set to be an exciting and unpredictable season. As the season progresses, fans will be able to follow all the action, with live coverage available across a range of platforms.
As the season continues, it will be interesting to see how the teams perform and which ones will emerge as strong contenders for promotion. With the expanded play-off spots and the highly competitive nature of the Championship, this season promises to be one to watch.
For those involved, the journey will be long and challenging, but the reward of Premier League promotion will be worth it.
What to Watch Next
As the season heats up, fans will be eagerly anticipating the next round of matches, with several key games scheduled in the coming weeks. With the Championship being one of the most competitive leagues in football, every game counts, and the stakes are high. The story unfolds, and for fans, the excitement will only continue to build as the season progresses.
