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Evening Standard

Sport

Oli Gent

EFL fixture release LIVE: West Ham learn Championship 2026-27 season schedule

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EFL fixture release LIVE!

Just weeks on from the conclusion of one season, attentions are already turning to a new campaign with the release of the new EFL fixtures for the 2026-27 campaign. For the first time in 15 years, West Ham will begin the campaign in English football’s second tier following their relegation from the Premier League.

The Hammers are the biggest addition to the EFL in some time, swapping trips to Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium to reuniting rivalries with Millwall at The Den. It has been 14 years since the east London rivals played each other. West Ham will also be facing the likes of QPR, Charlton and Watford. They will also face Wrexham in a league game for the first time since 1981.

Elsewhere, Elsewhere, Millwall will be hoping to go one better after missing out on automatic promotion to the Premier League by one point. Johnnie Jackon’s AFC Wimbledon will be hoping to look up the League One table, rather than down, after avoiding relegation by four points. Follow the fixture release live below from 10am BST!

EFL fixture release latest updates

West Ham fixtures IN FULL
When are West Ham playing Millwall?
Championship oopening day fixtures IN FULL
Millwall fixtures IN FULL
AFC Wimbledon fixtures IN FULL

That's all, folks!

13:00 , Oli Gent

Thanks for joining us on Standard Sport. Are you happy with how the fixtures have been laid out for your team? Let us know!

When will Wimbledon play MK?

12:45 , Oli Gent

AFC Wimbledon will face their historic rivals Milton Keynes for the first time in the 2026-27 campaign on September 19, but that 3pm BST kick off time is likelly to change.

That game takes place at Plough Lane in Wimbledon, before the reverse fixture is set for April 17 at Stadium MK, 60 miles up the M1.

When are West Ham playing Millwall?

12:37 , Oli Gent

The fierce east London rivals are set to face off for the first time in 14 years on September 19, although that 3pm BST kick off at The Den is likely to be moved, with a heavy police presence likely in Bermondsey.

The return fixture at the London Stadium has to wait until after Christmas, with the Hammers hosting on February 20, although that 3pm kick off also could move for TV coverage.

EFL opening weekend TV schedule

12:33 , Oli Gent

Which games have been selected for non-3pm TV coverage across matchday one?

Friday 14 August

20:00 - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Blackburn Rovers (Championship) | Sky Sports Football

Saturday 15 August

12:30 - Notts County v Leicester City (League One) | Sky Sports Football
12:30 - Bolton Wanderers v Preston North End (Championship) | Sky Sports+
12:30 - Reading v Luton Town (League One) | Sky Sports+
12:30 - Oxford United v Milton Keynes Dons (League One) | Sky Sports+
12:30 - Oldham Athletic v Port Vale (League Two) | Sky Sports+
12:30 - Newport County v Rochdale (League Two) | Sky Sports+
15:00 - York City v Bristol Rovers (League Two) | Sky Sports Football
17:30 - Sheffield United v Birmingham City (Championship) | Sky Sports Football

Sunday 16 August

13:30 - Watford v Southampton (Championship) | Sky Sports Football
16:00 - Burnley v West Ham United (Championship) | Sky Sports Football

Monday 17 August

20:00 - Cardiff City v Wrexham (Championship) | Sky Sports Football

*all other games across all three divisions will kick off at 3pm BST, and they will all be streamed live on Sky Sports+.

Barnet fixtures in full

12:27 , Oli Gent

And finally, the Bees...

15/08/2026 15:00 Salford City (h)

22/08/2026 15:00 Shrewsbury Town (a)

29/08/2026 15:00 Cheltenham Town (h)

01/09/2026 19:45 Exeter City (a)

05/09/2026 15:00 Chesterfield (a)

12/09/2026 15:00 Accrington Stanley (h)

19/09/2026 15:00 Fleetwood Town (h)

26/09/2026 15:00 Crawley Town (a)

03/10/2026 15:00 York City (h)

10/10/2026 15:00 Bristol Rovers (a)

17/10/2026 15:00 Tranmere Rovers (a)

20/10/2026 19:45 Swindon Town (h)

24/10/2026 15:00 Oldham Athletic (h)

31/10/2026 15:00 Crewe Alexandra (a)

14/11/2026 15:00 Walsall (a)

21/11/2026 15:00 Port Vale (h)

28/11/2026 15:00 Rochdale (a)

01/12/2026 19:45 Rotherham United (h)

12/12/2026 15:00 Northampton Town (h)

19/12/2026 15:00 Grimsby Town (a)

26/12/2026 15:00 Colchester United (h)

29/12/2026 19:45 Gillingham (a)

01/01/2027 15:00 Newport County (a)

09/01/2027 15:00 Grimsby Town (h)

16/01/2027 15:00 Tranmere Rovers (h)

19/01/2027 19:45 Swindon Town (a)

23/01/2027 15:00 Oldham Athletic (a)

30/01/2027 15:00 Crewe Alexandra (h)

06/02/2027 15:00 Cheltenham Town (a)

09/02/2027 19:45 Exeter City (h)

13/02/2027 15:00 Chesterfield (h)

20/02/2027 15:00 Accrington Stanley (a)

27/02/2027 15:00 Walsall (h)

06/03/2027 15:00 Salford City (a)

13/03/2027 15:00 Shrewsbury Town (h)

20/03/2027 15:00 Port Vale (a)

26/03/2027 15:00 Newport County (h)

29/03/2027 15:00 Colchester United (a)

03/04/2027 15:00 Gillingham (h)

10/04/2027 15:00 Northampton Town (a)

13/04/2027 19:45 Bristol Rovers (h)

17/04/2027 15:00 Fleetwood Town (a)

24/04/2027 15:00 Crawley Town (h)

27/04/2027 19:45 York City (a)

01/05/2027 15:00 Rochdale (h)

08/05/2027 15:00 Rotherham United (a)

Bromley fixtures in full

12:23 , Oli Gent

A maiden campaign in the third tier for Andy Woodman’s side...

15/08/2026 15:00 Barnsley (a)

22/08/2026 15:00 Cambridge United (h)

29/08/2026 15:00 Sheffield Wednesday (a)

01/09/2026 19:45 Leyton Orient (h)

05/09/2026 15:00 AFC Wimbledon (h)

12/09/2026 15:00 Blackpool (a)

19/09/2026 15:00 Huddersfield Town (h)

26/09/2026 15:00 MK Dons (a)

03/10/2026 15:00 Wycombe Wanderers (h)

10/10/2026 15:00 Mansfield Town (a)

17/10/2026 15:00 Stockport County (a)

20/10/2026 19:45 Leicester City (h)

24/10/2026 15:00 Peterborough United (h)

31/10/2026 15:00 Wigan Athletic (a)

14/11/2026 15:00 Notts County (h)

21/11/2026 15:00 Reading (a)

28/11/2026 15:00 Burton Albion (h)

01/12/2026 19:45 Plymouth Argyle (a)

12/12/2026 15:00 Doncaster Rovers (a)

19/12/2026 15:00 Bradford City (h)

26/12/2026 15:00 Luton Town (a)

29/12/2026 19:45 Oxford United (h)

01/01/2027 15:00 Stevenage (h)

09/01/2027 15:00 Bradford City (a)

16/01/2027 15:00 Stockport County (h)

19/01/2027 19:45 Leicester City (a)

23/01/2027 15:00 Peterborough United (a)

30/01/2027 15:00 Wigan Athletic (h)

06/02/2027 15:00 Sheffield Wednesday (h)

09/02/2027 19:45 Leyton Orient (a)

13/02/2027 15:00 AFC Wimbledon (a)

20/02/2027 15:00 Blackpool (h)

27/02/2027 15:00 Notts County (a)

06/03/2027 15:00 Barnsley (h)

13/03/2027 15:00 Cambridge United (a)

20/03/2027 15:00 Reading (h)

26/03/2027 15:00 Stevenage (a)

29/03/2027 15:00 Doncaster Rovers (h)

03/04/2027 15:00 Oxford United (a)

10/04/2027 15:00 Luton Town (h)

13/04/2027 19:45 MK Dons (h)

17/04/2027 15:00 Huddersfield Town (a)

24/04/2027 15:00 Mansfield Town (h)

27/04/2027 19:45 Wycombe Wanderers (a)

01/05/2027 15:00 Burton Albion (a)

08/05/2027 12:30 Plymouth Argyle (h)

Leyton Orient fixtures in full

12:20 , Oli Gent

As the O’s target redemption...

15/08/2026 15:00 Sheffield Wednesday (h)

22/08/2026 15:00 Wigan Athletic (a)

29/08/2026 15:00 Barnsley (h)

01/09/2026 19:45 Bromley (a)

05/09/2026 15:00 Luton Town (a)

12/09/2026 15:00 Wycombe Wanderers (h)

19/09/2026 15:00 Stevenage (h)

26/09/2026 15:00 Mansfield Town (a)

03/10/2026 15:00 Plymouth Argyle (h)

10/10/2026 15:00 Bradford City (a)

17/10/2026 15:00 Blackpool (h)

20/10/2026 20:00 Reading (a)

24/10/2026 15:00 Burton Albion (a)

31/10/2026 15:00 Cambridge United (h)

14/11/2026 15:00 Doncaster Rovers (a)

21/11/2026 15:00 AFC Wimbledon (h)

28/11/2026 15:00 Stockport County (a)

01/12/2026 19:45 Peterborough United (h)

12/12/2026 15:00 Huddersfield Town (a)

19/12/2026 15:00 Notts County (h)

26/12/2026 15:00 MK Dons (a)

29/12/2026 19:45 Leicester City (h)

01/01/2027 15:00 Oxford United (h)

09/01/2027 15:00 Notts County (a)

16/01/2027 15:00 Blackpool (a)

19/01/2027 19:45 Reading (h)

23/01/2027 15:00 Burton Albion (h)

30/01/2027 15:00 Cambridge United (a)

06/02/2027 15:00 Barnsley (a)

09/02/2027 19:45 Bromley (h)

13/02/2027 15:00 Luton Town (h)

20/02/2027 15:00 Wycombe Wanderers (a)

27/02/2027 15:00 Doncaster Rovers (h)

06/03/2027 15:00 Sheffield Wednesday (a)

13/03/2027 15:00 Wigan Athletic (h)

20/03/2027 15:00 AFC Wimbledon (a)

26/03/2027 15:00 Oxford United (a)

29/03/2027 15:00 Huddersfield Town (h)

03/04/2027 15:00 Leicester City (a)

10/04/2027 15:00 MK Dons (h)

13/04/2027 19:45 Mansfield Town (h)

17/04/2027 15:00 Stevenage (a)

24/04/2027 15:00 Bradford City (h)

27/04/2027 19:45 Plymouth Argyle (a)

01/05/2027 15:00 Stockport County (h)

08/05/2027 12:30 Peterborough United (a)

AFC Wimbledon fixtures in full

12:17 , Oli Gent

That is an ominous opener for the Dons...

15/08/2026 15:00 Huddersfield Town (a)

22/08/2026 15:00 Reading (h)

29/08/2026 15:00 Wigan Athletic (h)

01/09/2026 19:45 Burton Albion (a)

05/09/2026 15:00 Bromley (a)

12/09/2026 15:00 Doncaster Rovers (h)

19/09/2026 15:00 MK Dons (h)

26/09/2026 15:00 Cambridge United (a)

03/10/2026 15:00 Stevenage (h)

10/10/2026 15:00 Plymouth Argyle (a)

17/10/2026 15:00 Sheffield Wednesday (a)

20/10/2026 19:45 Mansfield Town (h)

24/10/2026 15:00 Wycombe Wanderers (h)

31/10/2026 15:00 Stockport County (a)

14/11/2026 15:00 Blackpool (h)

21/11/2026 15:00 Leyton Orient (a)

28/11/2026 15:00 Barnsley (h)

01/12/2026 19:45 Notts County (a)

12/12/2026 15:00 Bradford City (a)

19/12/2026 15:00 Oxford United (h)

26/12/2026 15:00 Leicester City (a)

29/12/2026 19:45 Luton Town (h)

01/01/2027 15:00 Peterborough United (h)

09/01/2027 15:00 Oxford United (a)

16/01/2027 15:00 Sheffield Wednesday (h)

19/01/2027 19:45 Mansfield Town (a)

23/01/2027 15:00 Wycombe Wanderers (a)

30/01/2027 15:00 Stockport County (h)

06/02/2027 15:00 Wigan Athletic (a)

09/02/2027 19:45 Burton Albion (h)

13/02/2027 15:00 Bromley (h)

20/02/2027 15:00 Doncaster Rovers (a)

27/02/2027 15:00 Blackpool (a)

06/03/2027 15:00 Huddersfield Town (h)

13/03/2027 15:00 Reading (a)

20/03/2027 15:00 Leyton Orient (h)

26/03/2027 15:00 Peterborough United (a)

29/03/2027 15:00 Leicester City (h)

03/04/2027 15:00 Luton Town (a)

10/04/2027 15:00 Bradford City (h)

13/04/2027 19:45 Cambridge United (h)

17/04/2027 15:00 MK Dons (a)

24/04/2027 15:00 Plymouth Argyle (h)

27/04/2027 19:45 Stevenage (a)

01/05/2027 15:00 Barnsley (a)

08/05/2027 12:30 Notts County (h)

QPR fixtures in full

12:15 , Oli Gent

What do you make of these, R’s fans?

15/08/2026 15:00 Portsmouth (a)

22/08/2026 15:00 Bolton Wanderers (h)

29/08/2026 15:00 Blackburn Rovers (a)

02/09/2026 19:45 Cardiff City (h)

05/09/2026 15:00 Middlesbrough (h)

09/09/2026 19:45 Charlton Athletic (a)

12/09/2026 15:00 West Bromwich Albion (a)

19/09/2026 15:00 Preston North End (h)

10/10/2026 15:00 West Ham United (a)

14/10/2026 19:45 Derby County (h)

17/10/2026 15:00 Birmingham City (a)

24/10/2026 15:00 Swansea City (h)

31/10/2026 15:00 Southampton (a)

03/11/2026 19:45 Burnley (h)

07/11/2026 15:00 Lincoln City (h)

21/11/2026 15:00 Millwall (a)

24/11/2026 19:45 Norwich City (a)

28/11/2026 15:00 Sheffield United (h)

05/12/2026 15:00 Stoke City (a)

08/12/2026 19:45 Wolverhampton Wanderers (h)

12/12/2026 15:00 Watford (h)

19/12/2026 15:00 Wrexham (a)

26/12/2026 15:00 Bristol City (h)

29/12/2026 19:45 Swansea City (a)

01/01/2027 15:00 Watford (a)

16/01/2027 15:00 Birmingham City (h)

23/01/2027 15:00 Southampton (h)

26/01/2027 19:45 Burnley (a)

30/01/2027 15:00 Lincoln City (a)

06/02/2027 15:00 Millwall (h)

13/02/2027 15:00 West Bromwich Albion (h)

16/02/2027 19:45 Derby County (a)

20/02/2027 15:00 Preston North End (a)

27/02/2027 15:00 West Ham United (h)

02/03/2027 19:45 Bolton Wanderers (a)

06/03/2027 15:00 Portsmouth (h)

13/03/2027 15:00 Sheffield United (a)

16/03/2027 19:45 Stoke City (h)

20/03/2027 15:00 Bristol City (a)

03/04/2027 15:00 Wrexham (h)

06/04/2027 19:45 Charlton Athletic (h)

10/04/2027 15:00 Middlesbrough (a)

17/04/2027 15:00 Blackburn Rovers (h)

21/04/2027 19:45 Cardiff City (a)

24/04/2027 15:00 Wolverhampton Wanderers (a)

01/05/2027 12:30 Norwich City (h)

Charlton fixtures in full

12:12 , Oli Gent

This is how it’s looking for Nathan Jones’ Addicks...

16/01/2027 15:00 Watford (h)

23/01/2027 15:00 Middlesbrough (h)

26/01/2027 19:45 Bolton Wanderers (a)

30/01/2027 15:00 Sheffield United (a)

06/02/2027 15:00 Wolverhampton Wanderers (h)

13/02/2027 15:00 Portsmouth (a)

16/02/2027 19:45 Burnley (h)

20/02/2027 15:00 Cardiff City (h)

27/02/2027 15:00 Bristol City (a)

02/03/2027 19:45 West Ham United (h)

06/03/2027 15:00 Derby County (a)

13/03/2027 15:00 Blackburn Rovers (h)

17/03/2027 19:45 Birmingham City (a)

20/03/2027 15:00 Southampton (a)

03/04/2027 15:00 Millwall (h)

06/04/2027 19:45 Queens Park Rangers (a)

10/04/2027 15:00 Stoke City (h)

17/04/2027 15:00 Preston North End (a)

20/04/2027 19:45 West Bromwich Albion (h)

24/04/2027 15:00 Wrexham (h)

01/05/2027 12:30 Lincoln City (a)

Millwall fixtures in full

12:07 , Oli Gent

Here we go, Lions fans...

15/08/2026 15:00 Bristol City (a)

22/08/2026 15:00 Norwich City (h)

29/08/2026 15:00 Southampton (a)

02/09/2026 19:45 Wrexham (h)

05/09/2026 15:00 Bolton Wanderers (h)

08/09/2026 19:45 Middlesbrough (a)

12/09/2026 15:00 Blackburn Rovers (a)

19/09/2026 15:00 West Ham United (h)

10/10/2026 15:00 Preston North End (a)

13/10/2026 19:45 Swansea City (h)

17/10/2026 15:00 Lincoln City (h)

24/10/2026 15:00 Portsmouth (a)

31/10/2026 15:00 Derby County (h)

03/11/2026 19:45 Birmingham City (a)

07/11/2026 15:00 West Bromwich Albion (a)

21/11/2026 15:00 Queens Park Rangers (h)

25/11/2026 19:45 Stoke City (a)

28/11/2026 15:00 Burnley (h)

05/12/2026 15:00 Watford (a)

08/12/2026 19:45 Sheffield United (h)

12/12/2026 15:00 Wolverhampton Wanderers (a)

19/12/2026 15:00 Charlton Athletic (h)

26/12/2026 15:00 Cardiff City (a)

29/12/2026 19:45 Portsmouth (h)

01/01/2027 15:00 Wolverhampton Wanderers (h)

16/01/2027 15:00 Lincoln City (a)

23/01/2027 15:00 Derby County (a)

26/01/2027 19:45 Birmingham City (h)

30/01/2027 15:00 West Bromwich Albion (h)

06/02/2027 15:00 Queens Park Rangers (a)

13/02/2027 15:00 Blackburn Rovers (h)

17/02/2027 19:45 Swansea City (a)

20/02/2027 15:00 West Ham United (a)

27/02/2027 15:00 Preston North End (h)

02/03/2027 19:45 Norwich City (a)

06/03/2027 15:00 Bristol City (h)

13/03/2027 15:00 Burnley (a)

17/03/2027 19:45 Watford (h)

20/03/2027 15:00 Cardiff City (h)

03/04/2027 15:00 Charlton Athletic (a)

06/04/2027 19:45 Middlesbrough (h)

10/04/2027 15:00 Bolton Wanderers (a)

17/04/2027 15:00 Southampton (h)

20/04/2027 19:45 Wrexham (a)

24/04/2027 15:00 Sheffield United (a)

01/05/2027 12:30 Stoke City (h)

Championship opening day in full

12:05 , Oli Gent

14/08/2026 20:00 Wolverhampton Wanderers v Blackburn Rovers

15/08/2026 12:30 Bolton Wanderers v Preston North End

15/08/2026 15:00 Bristol City v Millwall

15/08/2026 15:00 Charlton Athletic v Derby County

15/08/2026 15:00 Middlesbrough v Lincoln City

15/08/2026 15:00 Norwich City v West Bromwich Albion

15/08/2026 15:00 Portsmouth v Queens Park Rangers

15/08/2026 17:30 Sheffield United v Birmingham City

15/08/2026 15:00 Stoke City v Swansea City

16/08/2026 16:00 Burnley v West Ham United

16/08/2026 13:30 Watford v Southampton

17/08/2026 20:00 Cardiff City v Wrexham

West Ham fixtures in full

12:00 , Oli Gent

And here they are, Hammers fans...

16/08/2026 16:00 Burnley (a)

22/08/2026 15:00 Charlton Athletic (h)

29/08/2026 15:00 Watford (a)

01/09/2026 19:45 Wolverhampton Wanderers (h)

05/09/2026 15:00 Derby County (h)

08/09/2026 19:45 Bolton Wanderers (a)

12/09/2026 15:00 Wrexham (h)

19/09/2026 15:00 Millwall (a)

10/10/2026 15:00 Queens Park Rangers (h)

14/10/2026 19:45 Lincoln City (a)

17/10/2026 15:00 Swansea City (a)

24/10/2026 15:00 Southampton (h)

31/10/2026 15:00 West Bromwich Albion (h)

04/11/2026 19:45 Cardiff City (a)

07/11/2026 15:00 Blackburn Rovers (a)

21/11/2026 15:00 Preston North End (h)

24/11/2026 19:45 Portsmouth (a)

28/11/2026 15:00 Stoke City (h)

05/12/2026 15:00 Sheffield United (a)

08/12/2026 19:45 Middlesbrough (h)

12/12/2026 15:00 Bristol City (h)

19/12/2026 15:00 Birmingham City (a)

26/12/2026 15:00 Norwich City (h)

29/12/2026 19:45 Southampton (a)

01/01/2027 15:00 Bristol City (a)

16/01/2027 15:00 Swansea City (h)

23/01/2027 15:00 West Bromwich Albion (a)

27/01/2027 19:45 Cardiff City (h)

30/01/2027 15:00 Blackburn Rovers (h)

06/02/2027 15:00 Preston North End (a)

13/02/2027 15:00 Wrexham (a)

16/02/2027 19:45 Lincoln City (h)

20/02/2027 15:00 Millwall (h)

27/02/2027 15:00 Queens Park Rangers (a)

02/03/2027 19:45 Charlton Athletic (a)

06/03/2027 15:00 Burnley (h)

13/03/2027 15:00 Stoke City (a)

17/03/2027 19:45 Sheffield United (h)

20/03/2027 15:00 Norwich City (a)

03/04/2027 15:00 Birmingham City (h)

06/04/2027 19:45 Bolton Wanderers (h)

10/04/2027 15:00 Derby County (a)

17/04/2027 15:00 Watford (h)

20/04/2027 19:45 Wolverhampton Wanderers (a)

24/04/2027 15:00 Middlesbrough (a)

01/05/2027 12:30 Portsmouth (h)

Five minute warning!

11:55 , Oli Gent

Fixtures next...

Charlton make shock hire!

11:50 , Oli Gent

Charlton have announced a sensational return for former manager Alan Curbishley this morning, but he won’t be back in the dugout at The Valley.

Instead, he’s got a very different role - one which he admits he doesn’t quite know about himself...

Ahead of this afternoon's fixture release, we are delighted to announce the appointment of legendary former manager Alan Curbishley as the club's new Head of Artificial Intelligence 🤖#cafc
— Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) June 25, 2026

In League Two

11:45 , Oli Gent

We are slightly lacking London clubs in League Two, but Barnet give us one to watch in the basement division.

Dean Brennan’s Bees had a superb run att the end of the last season, just missing out on the play-offs by a whisker.

The north Londoners pieced together five straight victories and an unbeaten run of nine matches, but they were desperately unlucky to miss out on a top-seven finish.

What can they do this time around?

In League One

11:37 , Oli Gent

There are three London clubs to look out for in the third tier.

AFC Wimbledon survived by the skin of their teeth last term, with Johnnie Jackson’s men in the middle of a squad overhaul this summer.

Leyton Orient, beaten play-off finalists in 2025, endured a dreadful season, finishing 20th, and Bromley will hope to upset the apple cart in their first ever League One campaign.

Also on the London radar

11:30 , Oli Gent

Others to keep an eye on from a London perspective include Charlton and Queens Park Rangers in the second tier.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny’s Wrexham will be hoping to improve on their play-off defeat this time around as they eye a fairytale Premier League promotion.

Former top-flight sides Bolton Wanderers and Cardiff City are back in the Championship after their respective promotions from League One.

Team to watch out for

11:23 , Oli Gent

The most obvious team to look out for from a West Ham perspective is fierce rivals Millwall, who the Irons have only shared a division with 12 times in their history.

The most recent was in the 2011-12 season in the Championship, and the two east London outfits will lock horns twice this coming term.

Last time West Ham were in the Championship

11:15 , Alex Young

West Ham have not played in the Championship for 14 years, and will be hoping to emulate their last second-tier season by securing an immediate return to the Premier League.

However, the race for promotion is expected to be highly competitive, with Wolves and Burnley also targeting a swift comeback to the top flight.

Elsewhere, Lincoln City are gearing up for their first campaign in the second tier for 65 years after winning the League One title in 2025/26.

The Imps will aim to establish themselves at a higher level, despite the departure of manager Michael Skubala to Bristol City.

West Ham the pick to win the title

11:03 , Alex Young

West Ham are clear favourites among punters to win the Championship.

Almost two-thirds of Championship winner bets have been placed on the returning Hammers.

West Ham: 61%
Wolves: 12%
Norwich: 10%
Wrexham: 1%

(Odds via Betfair, subject to change.)

West Ham confirm first summer deal

10:40 , Alex Young

West Ham have already begun their squad planning for next season by turning winger Keiber Lamadrid’s loan move from Deportivo La Guaira into a permanent deal.

The 22-year-old joined up during the January transfer window on loan with an option to buy and made one senior appearance during his six-month spell with the club, against Burton Albion in the FA Cup. He was named in three Premier League matchday squads, but did not feature.

He played a more prominent role for the Under-21s, registering two goal contributions in three Premier League 2 appearances.

Standard Sport reported earlier this month that the Hammers had triggered their buy option, worth £1million, and the news has now been confirmed by the club.

Nuno Espirito Santo gave Lamadrid’s signing the green light, with the expectation he will challenge for first-team minutes next season. He has signed a five-year contract.