The EFL released the full fixture list for the 2025-26 season on Thursday, with Wolves launching the Championship campaign at home to Blackburn Rovers on Friday 14 August at 8pm. West Ham United will face Burnley at Turf Moor on Sunday 16 August in a meeting of the two other relegated sides.
Championship opening weekend
Wolves, under new head coach César Peixoto, play their first Championship fixture since 2018 at Molineux. Blackburn are led by Tony Mowbray, returning for a second spell. West Ham, without a manager, start a season outside the top flight for the first time in 14 years. Burnley are back in the second tier for the third time since 2023.
West Ham's London Stadium hosts Championship football for the first time on Saturday 16 August when Nuno Espírito Santo's side face Charlton Athletic. Middlesbrough, beaten playoff finalists, begin at home to Lincoln City, who return to the second tier after 65 years. Other Saturday fixtures include a Lancashire derby between Bolton and Preston (12:30pm) and Sheffield United v Birmingham City (5:30pm).
Southampton open on Sunday at Watford after last month's playoff spying scandal. Millwall travel to Bristol City, Norwich host West Brom, and promoted Cardiff welcome Wrexham on Monday night.
League One and League Two
All League One and Two fixtures take place on Saturday 15 August. Leicester City, back in League One 10 years after winning the Premier League, start at Notts County (12:30pm). Sheffield Wednesday, under new owner Arise Capital Partners, play at Leyton Orient. Bromley begin their first third-tier season at Barnsley, and Aaron Ramsey's Oxford United host MK Dons (12:30pm).
In League Two, York City return to the Football League after a 10-year absence at home to Bristol Rovers. Promoted Rochdale travel to Newport (12:30pm). Relegated Rotherham play their first fourth-tier game since 2013 at Cheltenham.
Full fixtures for all three divisions are available on the EFL website.
