The Championship’s 2025/26 fixtures have been revealed as all 72 clubs of the English Football League (EFL) find out their journey through the season.
The schedule for the Championship, League One and League Two were released simultaneously with the three divisions following quickly after the Premier League’s matches were confirmed earlier in June.
After a play-off final win, Charlton are back in the second tier of English football along with Birmingham City and Wrexham, while Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton dropped down from the top-flight.
Barnet and Oldham navigated out of non-league at the end of last season to return to League Two, replacing Carlisle and Morecambe. In League One, meanwhile, the quartet of Doncaster, Port Vale, Bradford City and play-off winners AFC Wimbledon take the places of Crawley, Cambridge United, Bristol Rovers and Shrewsbury, who were all demoted in 2024/25.
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Key Points
- The 72 clubs of the EFL find out their journey through the 2025/26 season
- Championship season begins on 8 August with Birmingham City v Ipswich Town
- The season will begin on the weekend of 1-3 August in League One and League Two
- The round one draw for the Carabao Cup will also be made later in the afternoon
Carabao Cup first-round draw
15:07 , Lawrence OstlereThat’s all from the EFL fixture release – but you can follow the Carabao Cup first-round draw here:
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Carabao Cup first round draw live: Championship and other EFL clubs learn fate
Wrexham begin first second-tier campaign in 43 years at Saints
13:35 , Lawrence OstlereWrexham are back in the second tier following three consecutive promotions since Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over the club:
Wrexham begin first second-tier campaign in 43 years with trip to Southampton
League Two fixtures on final day
13:04 , Lawrence OstlereAnd the finale to League Two:
- Barrow v Newport
- Bromley v Walsall
- Cheltenham v Colchester
- Crawley v Salford
- Crewe v Cambridge
- Fleetwood v MK Dons
- Gillingham v Shrewsbury
- Harrogate v Barnet
- Notts County v Bristol Rovers
- Oldham v Accrington
- Swindon v Chesterfield
- Tranmere v Grimsby
League One fixtures on final day
13:01 , Lawrence OstlereThe final day of the 2025/26 League One season is scheduled for Saturday 2 May 2026, with all matches kicking off at 15:00 BST.
Here are the confirmed fixtures:
- AFC Wimbledon v Huddersfield Town
- Barnsley v Stockport County
- Bolton Wanderers v Luton Town
- Exeter City v Bradford City
- Leyton Orient v Burton Albion
- Mansfield Town v Cardiff City
- Northampton Town v Plymouth Argyle
- Peterborough United v Doncaster Rovers
- Port Vale v Lincoln City
- Reading v Blackpool
- Stevenage v Wigan Athletic
- Wycombe Wanderers v Rotherham United
EFL fixtures revealed
12:46 , Lawrence OstlereLeague One and League Two starts a week earlier than the Championship, with relegated Luton and promoted AFC Wimbledon getting things under way at Kenilworth Road on Friday, August 1 at 8pm.
Cardiff and Plymouth start out with home games the next day after dropping into League One, against Peterborough and Barnsley respectively.
Promoted pair Bradford and Doncaster are at home to Wycombe and Exeter, while Port Vale mark their return to the division away to Rotherham.
Barnet and Oldham are back in the EFL after winning promotion from the Vanarama National League.
The Bees open their League Two campaign at home to Fleetwood on Saturday, August 2, while Oldham make the trip to MK Dons.
Salford, now owned by a new consortium which includes Sir David Beckham and Gary Neville, have a home opener against Crewe.
Championship fixtures reaveled
12:40 , Lawrence OstlereThe Championship season will consist of 33 weekend rounds, nine midweek rounds and four bank holiday rounds, finishing on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
Boxing Day highlights include Birmingham at home to Derby, Leicester entertaining Watford, Norwich hosting Charlton and Wrexham meeting Sheffield United.
Leicester travel to Sheffield United on New Year's Day, with Southampton at home to Millwall and Swansea greeting West Brom.
Championship fixtures reaveled
12:35 , Lawrence OstlereSheffield United and Bristol City start at Bramall Lane on August 9 in a repeat of last season's Championship play-off semi-final, West Brom host Blackburn and promoted Charlton welcome Watford to The Valley.
Frank Lampard's Coventry start at home to Hull, Stoke entertain Derby, Oxford play Portsmouth and Liam Manning's first game in charge of Norwich will be at home to Millwall.
New Middlesbrough manager Rob Edwards also opens at home against Swansea and Julien Stephan's first game at QPR is a visit from Preston.
Relegated Leicester and Sheffield Wednesday are the last two teams in action on the opening weekend, with a 4.30pm kick-off on Sunday, August 10.
Leicester's first away game is at Preston and the second weekend of action sees Ipswich and Southampton, both back in the second tier after relegation, meet at Portman Road.
The two Sheffield derbies take place on November 22 at Hillsborough and at Bramall Lane on February 21.
Championship fixtures reaveled
12:28 , Lawrence OstlereBirmingham and Ipswich kick off the new Sky Bet Championship campaign on August 8 with a Friday night game under the St Andrew's lights.
Two divisions separated the clubs last term as Birmingham won the League One title and Ipswich were relegated after just one season in the Premier League.
The season-opener pits ex-NFL quarterback Tom Brady against singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, the two men being respective minority owners of Birmingham and Ipswich.
Birmingham's start before the September international break also includes trips to Blackburn and Leicester and a visit from Oxford, while their so-called 'Hollywood derbies' with Wrexham are away on October 4 and at home on April 11.
Wrexham, under the ownership of Hollywood A-lister Ryan Reynolds and fellow actor Rob McElhenney, begin at Southampton, which will be Will Still's first as Saints boss, on Saturday, August 9 with a 12.30pm kick-off.
Championship first five fixtures – club-by-club
12:24 , Lawrence OstlereSouthampton
- 09/08/2025 12:30 Southampton v Wrexham
- 16/08/2025 15:00 Ipswich Town v Southampton
- 23/08/2025 15:00 Southampton v Stoke City
- 30/08/2025 15:00 Watford v Southampton
- 13/09/2025 15:00 Southampton v Portsmouth
Stoke City
- 09/08/2025 15:00 Stoke City v Derby County
- 16/08/2025 15:00 Sheffield Wednesday v Stoke City
- 23/08/2025 15:00 Southampton v Stoke City
- 30/08/2025 15:00 Stoke City v West Bromwich Albion
- 13/09/2025 15:00 Stoke City v Birmingham City
Swansea City
- 09/08/2025 15:00 Middlesbrough v Swansea City
- 16/08/2025 15:00 Swansea City v Sheffield United
- 23/08/2025 15:00 Swansea City v Watford
- 30/08/2025 15:00 Sheffield Wednesday v Swansea City
- 13/09/2025 15:00 Swansea City v Hull City
Watford
- 09/08/2025 12:30 Charlton Athletic v Watford
- 16/08/2025 15:00 Watford v Queens Park Rangers
- 23/08/2025 15:00 Swansea City v Watford
- 30/08/2025 15:00 Watford v Southampton
- 13/09/2025 15:00 Watford v Blackburn Rovers
West Bromwich Albion
- 09/08/2025 15:00 West Bromwich Albion v Blackburn Rovers
- 16/08/2025 15:00 Wrexham v West Bromwich Albion
- 23/08/2025 15:00 West Bromwich Albion v Portsmouth
- 30/08/2025 15:00 Stoke City v West Bromwich Albion
- 13/09/2025 15:00 West Bromwich Albion v Derby County
Wrexham
- 09/08/2025 12:30 Southampton v Wrexham
- 16/08/2025 15:00 Wrexham v West Bromwich Albion
- 23/08/2025 15:00 Wrexham v Sheffield Wednesday
- 30/08/2025 15:00 Millwall v Wrexham
- 13/09/2025 15:00 Wrexham v Queens Park Rangers
Championship first five fixtures – club-by-club
12:20 , Lawrence OstlereOxford United
- 09/08/2025 15:00 Oxford United v Portsmouth
- 16/08/2025 15:00 Hull City v Oxford United
- 23/08/2025 15:00 Birmingham City v Oxford United
- 30/08/2025 15:00 Oxford United v Coventry City
- 13/09/2025 15:00 Oxford United v Leicester City
Portsmouth
- 09/08/2025 15:00 Oxford United v Portsmouth
- 16/08/2025 15:00 Portsmouth v Norwich City
- 23/08/2025 15:00 West Bromwich Albion v Portsmouth
- 30/08/2025 15:00 Portsmouth v Preston North End
- 13/09/2025 15:00 Southampton v Portsmouth
Preston North End
- 09/08/2025 15:00 Queens Park Rangers v Preston North End
- 16/08/2025 15:00 Preston North End v Leicester City
- 23/08/2025 15:00 Preston North End v Ipswich Town
- 30/08/2025 15:00 Portsmouth v Preston North End
- 13/09/2025 15:00 Preston North End v Middlesbrough
Queens Park Rangers
- 09/08/2025 15:00 Queens Park Rangers v Preston North End
- 16/08/2025 15:00 Watford v Queens Park Rangers
- 23/08/2025 15:00 Coventry City v Queens Park Rangers
- 30/08/2025 15:00 Queens Park Rangers v Charlton Athletic
- 13/09/2025 15:00 Wrexham v Queens Park Rangers
Sheffield United
- 09/08/2025 17:30 Sheffield United v Bristol City
- 16/08/2025 15:00 Swansea City v Sheffield United
- 23/08/2025 15:00 Sheffield United v Millwall
- 30/08/2025 15:00 Middlesbrough v Sheffield United
- 13/09/2025 15:00 Ipswich Town v Sheffield United
Sheffield Wednesday
- 10/08/2025 16:30 Leicester City v Sheffield Wednesday
- 16/08/2025 15:00 Sheffield Wednesday v Stoke City
- 23/08/2025 15:00 Wrexham v Sheffield Wednesday
- 30/08/2025 15:00 Sheffield Wednesday v Swansea City
- 13/09/2025 15:00 Sheffield Wednesday v Bristol City
Championship first five fixtures – club-by-club
12:14 , Lawrence OstlereHull City
- 09/08/2025 12:30 Coventry City v Hull City
- 16/08/2025 15:00 Hull City v Oxford United
- 23/08/2025 15:00 Hull City v Blackburn Rovers
- 30/08/2025 15:00 Bristol City v Hull City
- 13/09/2025 15:00 Swansea City v Hull City
Ipswich Town
- 08/08/2025 20:00 Birmingham City v Ipswich Town
- 16/08/2025 15:00 Ipswich Town v Southampton
- 23/08/2025 15:00 Preston North End v Ipswich Town
- 30/08/2025 15:00 Ipswich Town v Derby County
- 13/09/2025 15:00 Ipswich Town v Sheffield United
Leicester City
- 10/08/2025 16:30 Leicester City v Sheffield Wednesday
- 16/08/2025 15:00 Preston North End v Leicester City
- 23/08/2025 15:00 Charlton Athletic v Leicester City
- 30/08/2025 15:00 Leicester City v Birmingham City
- 13/09/2025 15:00 Oxford United v Leicester City
Middlesbrough
- 09/08/2025 15:00 Middlesbrough v Swansea City
- 16/08/2025 15:00 Millwall v Middlesbrough
- 23/08/2025 15:00 Norwich City v Middlesbrough
- 30/08/2025 15:00 Middlesbrough v Sheffield United
- 13/09/2025 15:00 Preston North End v Middlesbrough
Millwall
- 09/08/2025 15:00 Norwich City v Millwall
- 16/08/2025 15:00 Millwall v Middlesbrough
- 23/08/2025 15:00 Sheffield United v Millwall
- 30/08/2025 15:00 Millwall v Wrexham
- 13/09/2025 15:00 Charlton Athletic v Millwall
Norwich City
- 09/08/2025 15:00 Norwich City v Millwall
- 16/08/2025 15:00 Portsmouth v Norwich City
- 23/08/2025 15:00 Norwich City v Middlesbrough
- 30/08/2025 15:00 Blackburn Rovers v Norwich City
- 13/09/2025 15:00 Coventry City v Norwich City
Championship first five fixtures – club-by-club
12:11 , Lawrence OstlereBirmingham City
- 08/08/2025 20:00 Birmingham City v Ipswich Town
- 16/08/2025 15:00 Blackburn Rovers v Birmingham City
- 23/08/2025 15:00 Birmingham City v Oxford United
- 30/08/2025 15:00 Leicester City v Birmingham City
- 13/09/2025 15:00 Stoke City v Birmingham City
Blackburn Rovers
- 16/08/2025 15:00 Blackburn Rovers v Birmingham City
- 23/08/2025 15:00 Hull City v Blackburn Rovers
- 30/08/2025 15:00 Blackburn Rovers v Norwich City
- 13/09/2025 15:00 Watford v Blackburn Rovers
- 20/09/2025 15:00 Blackburn Rovers v Ipswich Town
Bristol City
- 09/08/2025 17:30 Sheffield United v Bristol City
- 16/08/2025 15:00 Bristol City v Charlton Athletic
- 23/08/2025 15:00 Derby County v Bristol City
- 30/08/2025 15:00 Bristol City v Hull City
- 13/09/2025 15:00 Sheffield Wednesday v Bristol City
Charlton Athletic
- 09/08/2025 12:30 Charlton Athletic v Watford
- 16/08/2025 15:00 Bristol City v Charlton Athletic
- 23/08/2025 15:00 Charlton Athletic v Leicester City
- 30/08/2025 15:00 Queens Park Rangers v Charlton Athletic
- 13/09/2025 15:00 Charlton Athletic v Millwall
Coventry City
- 09/08/2025 12:30 Coventry City v Hull City
- 16/08/2025 15:00 Derby County v Coventry City
- 23/08/2025 15:00 Coventry City v Queens Park Rangers
- 30/08/2025 15:00 Oxford United v Coventry City
- 13/09/2025 15:00 Coventry City v Norwich City
Derby County
- 09/08/2025 15:00 Stoke City v Derby County
- 16/08/2025 15:00 Derby County v Coventry City
- 23/08/2025 15:00 Derby County v Bristol City
- 30/08/2025 15:00 Ipswich Town v Derby County
- 13/09/2025 15:00 West Bromwich Albion v Derby County
League Two opening day fixtures
12:08 , Lawrence OstlereThe League Two fixtures for the opening weekend of the 2025-2026 season:
- Accrington Stanley v Gillingham
- Barnet v Fleetwood Town
- Bristol Rovers v Harrogate Town
- Cambridge United v Cheltenham Town
- Chesterfield v Barrow
- Colchester United v Tranmere Rovers
- Grimsby Town v Crawley Town
- Milton Keynes Dons v Oldham Athletic
- Newport County v Notts County
- Salford City v Crewe Alexandra
- Shrewsbury Town v Bromley
- Walsall v Swindon Town
League One opening day fixtures
12:06 , Lawrence OstlereThe League One fixtures for the opening weekend of the 2025-2026 season:
Friday, August 1, 2025
- 20:00 Luton Town v A.F.C. Wimbledon
Saturday, August 2, 2025
- 12:30 Cardiff City v Peterborough United
- 15:00 Blackpool v Stevenage
- 15:00 Bradford City v Wycombe Wanderers
- 15:00 Burton Albion v Mansfield Town
- 15:00 Doncaster Rovers v Exeter City
- 15:00 Huddersfield Town v Leyton Orient
- 15:00 Lincoln City v Reading
- 15:00 Plymouth Argyle v Barnsley
- 15:00 Rotherham United v Port Vale
- 15:00 Wigan Athletic v Northampton Town
Sunday, August 3, 2025
- 12:00 Stockport County v Bolton Wanderers
Championship fixtures on the final day
12:04 , Lawrence OstlereAnd here’s a look at the final day of the season, as Blackburn host Leicester and Wrexham take on Middlesbrough:
Saturday, May 2, 2026
- 12:30 - Blackburn Rovers v Leicester City
- 12:30 - Bristol City v Stoke City
- 12:30 - Derby County v Sheffield United
- 12:30 - Hull City v Norwich City
- 12:30 - Ipswich Town v Queens Park Rangers
- 12:30 - Millwall v Oxford United
- 12:30 - Portsmouth v Birmingham City
- 12:30 - Preston North End v Southampton
- 12:30 - Sheffield Wednesday v West Bromwich Albion
- 12:30 - Swansea City v Charlton Athletic
- 12:30 - Watford v Coventry City
- 12:30 - Wrexham v Middlesbrough
Championship fixtures on Boxing Day
12:02 , Lawrence Ostlerehere’s how the fixture list shapes up at Christmas:
Friday, December 26, 2025
- 15:00 - Birmingham City v Derby County
- 15:00 - Coventry City v Swansea City
- 15:00 - Leicester City v Watford
- 15:00 - Middlesbrough v Blackburn Rovers
- 15:00 - Millwall v Ipswich Town
- 15:00 - Norwich City v Charlton Athletic
- 15:00 - Oxford United v Southampton
- 15:00 - Portsmouth v Queens Park Rangers
- 15:00 - Sheffield Wednesday v Hull City
- 15:00 - Stoke City v Preston North End
- 15:00 - West Bromwich Albion v Bristol City
- 15:00 - Wrexham v Sheffield United
Breaking: Championship's opening day revealed!
12:00 , Lawrence OstlereThe season kicks off on Friday 8 August at St Andrew’s, where Ipswich Town begin their bid to bounce back up to the Premier League against Birmingham City.
Leicester City host Sheffield Wednesday at the King Power Stadium on Sunday to round off the opening weekend.
Friday, August 8, 2025
- 20:00 - Birmingham City v Ipswich Town
Saturday, August 9, 2025
- 12:30 - Charlton Athletic v Watford
- 12:30 - Coventry City v Hull City
- 12:30 - Southampton v Wrexham
- 15:00 - Middlesbrough v Swansea City
- 15:00 - Norwich City v Millwall
- 15:00 - Oxford United v Portsmouth
- 15:00 - Queens Park Rangers v Preston North End
- 15:00 - Stoke City v Derby County
- 15:00 - West Bromwich Albion v Blackburn Rovers
- 17:30 - Sheffield United v Bristol City
Sunday, August 10, 2025
- 16:30 - Leicester City v Sheffield Wednesday
Who came up and went down?
11:54 , Luke BakerPlenty of teams are in new divisions this season so, as we wait to hear the fixtures, let’s remind ourselves who will be in a different tier for the 2025/26 campaign.
Relegated from Premier League to Championship
Leicester City, Ipswich Town, Southampton
Relegated from Championship to League One
Luton Town, Plymouth Argyle, Cardiff City
Promoted from League One to Championship
Birmingham City, Wrexham, Charlton Athletic
Relegated from League One to League Two
Crawley Town, Bristol Rovers, Cambridge United. Shrewsbury
Promoted from League Two to League One
Doncaster Rovers, Port Vale, Bradford City, AFC Wimbledon
Promoted from National League to League Two
Barnet, Oldham Athletic
York co-owner calls for immediate reform of National League promotion structure
11:44 , Luke BakerYork co-owner Julie-Anne Uggla has called for an immediate reform of the promotion and relegation system between the EFL and the National League.
The Minstermen missed out on a return to the Football League as they lost in the play-off semi-finals to Oldham, having finished second in the league table behind champions Barnet, 28 points clear of the final play-off position.
In February, the National League launched the ‘3UP campaign’ with the aim of securing three promotion places to League Two for the 2025/26 season.
But Uggla has called for “an immediate review, temporary relief measures, or an accelerated implementation of the ‘3UP’ model” with the intention of York earning instant promotion to League Two.
York co-owner calls for immediate reform of National League promotion structure
Reading misery under Dai Yongge finally over as takeover completed for League One club
11:30 , Will CastleAfter so much misery, Reading will go into the 2025/26 season finally under new ownership.
The EFL said it had provided final clearance under its regulations which places Reading under the ownership of Rob Couhig and Todd Trosclair and their company Redwood Holdings, with controversial ex-owner Dai Yongge now having divested from the club.
The news marked the end of Dai's nightmarish time at the helm. During his tenure, the Royals have been placed under a number of transfer embargoes and been handed points deductions totalling 18 points.
Reading misery under Dai Yongge finally over as takeover completed
Sheffield Wednesday charged over failing to pay players as EFL sounds warning
Wednesday 25 June 2025 17:56 , Will CastleSheffield Wednesday have been charged by the EFL for "multiple breaches" relating to the club's payment obligations.
In March, the Championship club failed to pay the players their salaries on time due to what were described as "cashflow" issues.
It has since been reported there were also problems with payments for May - which are also said to have included non-playing club staff and other employees.
Sheffield Wednesday charged over failing to pay players as EFL sounds warning
Wales, golf, Argyle: Gareth Bale part of group seeking Plymouth takeover
11:00 , Will CastleGareth Bale is part of a US investment group in talks over a buyout of League One club Plymouth.
The Telegraph were first to report that the 35-year-old former Real Madrid and Wales forward was part of the group seeking to buy Argyle.
It is understood the group featuring Bale has registered an interest in buying Argyle, but the process is at a very early stage.
Wales, golf, Argyle: Gareth Bale part of group seeking Plymouth takeover
When is Carabao Cup first round draw?
10:53 , Luke BakerAlso today is the Carabao Cup first-round draw, taking place this afternoon.
There will be 70 of the 72 EFL clubs entering the first round after two preliminary matches between the two sides promoted from the National League last season and the clubs who finished 21st and 22nd in League Two.
Here’s everything you need to know about the draw:
When is Carabao Cup first round draw? Start time, teams and how to watch
Premier League fixtures 2025/26: Every first round game as champions Liverpool face Friday night test
10:45 , Will CastleMiss the Premier League’s schedule reveal for next season? We’ve got you covered.
Here’s how 2025/26 kicks off in the top-flight:
Key 2025/26 dates
10:30 , Will CastleThe 2025/26 EFL season will begin on the weekend of 1-3 August in League One and League Two, and 8-10 August in the Championship. The second-tier’s fixtures take place over 33 weekends, nine midweeks and four Bank Holidays, while League One and Two’s match rounds are structured across 33 weekends, five midweeks and eight Bank Holidays and International Breaks.
The final games of the season take place on the weekend of 2/3 May 2026, before the play-offs begin:
Championship Play-Off Final – Saturday 23 May 2026
League One Play-Off Final – Sunday 24 May 2026
League Two Play-Off Final – Monday 25 May 2026
When are the EFL fixtures released?
10:15 , Will CastleThe EFL fixtures will be confirmed at midday BST on Thursday 26 June. Every Championship, League One and League Two team will have their schedule confirmed for the new campaign simultaneously.
The round one draw for the Carabao Cup will also be made later in the afternoon.
EFL 2025/26 fixtures LIVE
10:00 , Will CastleThe schedule for the Championship, League One and League Two will be released simultaneously with the three divisions following quickly after the Premier League’s matches were confirmed earlier in June.
Stay tuned to find out your team’s schedule for the season.
EFL 2025/26 fixtures LIVE
08:41 , Lawrence OstlereGood morning and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the EFL fixture reveal for the 2025/26 season!
