The wait is over – the 2026-27 English Football League fixtures have finally been unleashed upon us! Thursday, 25 June, marked a pivotal moment in the football calendar as clubs and fans alike eagerly anticipated the schedules for the Championship, League One, and League Two. With the announcement at 12:00 BST, the excitement reached fever pitch, offering a tantalising glimpse into the challenges that lie ahead. And what a season it promises to be!
West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Burnley, relegated from the Premier League, will be looking to make an instant impact in the Championship. But they won't be alone – Bolton Wanderers, Cardiff City, and Lincoln City, returning to the second tier for the first time in 65 years, are set to shake things up! The Imps' remarkable journey from National League obscurity to top-flight hopefuls is a testament to their dedication and determination. Meanwhile, West Ham's own tale of redemption will be one to watch – can they replicate their rapid-fire return to the Premier League in 2012?
But not all teams are facing the same level of challenge. Leicester City's relegation to League One marks only their second stint at this level, following back-to-back relegations that led them down a well-trodden path. Now they'll face off against Oxford United, Sheffield Wednesday, and newly-promoted Bromley in what promises to be an action-packed season. Elsewhere in League Two, Exeter City, Port Vale, Rotherham United, and Northampton Town have taken the plunge into unfamiliar territory, while York City and Rochdale return to the EFL with their tails held high.
Off the pitch, there's been plenty of movement too – Cesar Peixoto takes the reins at Wolves in the Championship, replacing Rob Edwards. Burnley remain managerless after Scott Parker's departure, but whispers suggest Craig Bellamy is set to take the helm. At Lincoln City, Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw will form an unlikely managerial duo, while Tony Mowbray returns to Blackburn Rovers for a second stint and Alessio Dionisi becomes Watford's 12th head coach since the end of the 2020-21 season.
The Sky Sports TV deal ensures over 1,000 games will be broadcast live in its third year, while BBC Sport provides live text coverage for the majority of EFL fixtures. And just to add an extra layer of excitement – the Vertu Trophy and Carabao Cup draws took place on the same day as the EFL fixtures were released!