The English Football League (EFL) has officially unveiled its fixture list for the 2026-27 season, setting the stage for an intriguing opening weekend across all three divisions. Relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers will commence their Sky Bet Championship campaign at Molineux, hosting Blackburn Rovers in an 8pm kick-off on Friday, August 14. This marks Wolves' return to the second tier for the first time since 2018, under the guidance of new manager Cesar Peixoto, while Blackburn will be led by returning boss Tony Mowbray.
Fellow relegated Premier League sides West Ham United and Burnley are set for a pivotal encounter at Turf Moor on Sunday. This fixture will be West Ham's first outside the top flight in 14 years, with their London Stadium set to welcome Championship football the following Saturday against capital rivals Charlton. Burnley, meanwhile, find themselves back in the second tier for the third time since 2023 and are currently without a manager.
Southampton, who were recently expelled from the play-offs following a spying controversy against Watford at Vicarage Road, will also begin their season on Sunday. The Championship's opening weekend will conclude with a Welsh derby on Monday, as promoted Cardiff City welcome Wrexham to the capital. Elsewhere in the Championship, beaten play-off finalists Middlesbrough are set to host Lincoln City at The Riverside, with Lincoln making a notable return to the second tier after a 65-year absence. A Lancashire derby between Bolton Wanderers and Preston North End at the Toughsheet Community Stadium is among the eight Saturday fixtures.
Leagues One and Two are scheduled to commence their seasons on Saturday, August 15. A decade after their historic Premier League triumph, Leicester City will begin their League One journey with a 12:30pm kick-off away at Notts County. Sheffield Wednesday, now under the new ownership of Arise Capital Partners, will travel to face Leyton Orient. Bromley are set to embark on their inaugural third-tier season at Barnsley, while relegated Oxford United will play host to newly-promoted MK Dons in a lunchtime fixture.
In League Two, York City will mark their return to the EFL after a decade-long absence, hosting Bristol Rovers. Promoted Rochdale will visit Newport in a 12:30pm kick-off, and relegated Rotherham United are scheduled to play their first fourth-tier match since 2013 away at Cheltenham. The opening weekend's fixtures will see all 72 EFL clubs in action, promising a full slate of football for fans across the country.