2026–27 EFL Championship
| Season | 2026–27 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 14 August 2026 – 1 May 2027 |
| Matches | 24 |
| Goals | 69 (2.88 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | Eleven players (2 goals) |
| Biggest home win | Millwall 3–0 Norwich City (22 August 2026) |
| Biggest away win | Four games |
| Highest scoring | Nine games |
| Longest winning run | Charlton Athletic Millwall West Bromwich Albion (2 games) |
| Longest unbeaten run | Nine teams (2 games) |
| Longest winless run | Twelve teams (2 games) |
| Longest losing run | Four teams (2 games) |
| Highest attendance | 62,264 West Ham United 1–2 Charlton Athletic (22 August 2026) |
| Lowest attendance | 10,502 Wrexham 1–1 Watford (22 August 2026) |
| Total attendance | 590,814 |
| Average attendance | 24,617 |
← 2025–26 2027–28 →
All statistics correct as of 23 August 2026. | |
The 2026–27 EFL Championship (referred to as the Sky Bet Championship for sponsorship purposes) is the 11th season of the EFL Championship under its current title and the 35th season under its current league division format. This is the first season following the expansion of the post season play-offs from four teams to six.[1]
The 2026–27 season consists of 46 matchdays in total, with the fixture list released on 25 June 2026 at 12:00 BST.[2] The opening round of the league commenced between 14–17 August 2026.[3]
Team changes
The following teams changed division since the 2025–26 season:
To ChampionshipPromoted from League One Relegated from the Premier League |
From ChampionshipPromoted to the Premier League Relegated to League One
|
Stadiums and locations
Personnel and sponsoring
| Team | Manager(s) | Captain | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main | Other(s) | ||||
| Birmingham City |  Chris Davies |
 Christoph Klarer |
Nike | Coral[4] | List
|
| Blackburn Rovers |  Tony Mowbray |
Todd Cantwell |
Umbro | Watson Ramsbottom Solicitors[5] | |
| Bolton Wanderers | Steven Schumacher |
.svg.png){kind=small} Eoin Toal |
Macron | Victorian Plumbing[7] | List
|
| Bristol City | Michael Skubala |
 Jason Knight |
O'Neills | Victorian Plumbing[8] | List
|
| Burnley | .svg.png){kind=small} Nicky Hayen |
Josh Cullen |
Castore | Vertu Motors1[9] | List
|
| Cardiff City | Brian Barry-Murphy |
Calum Chambers |
Castore | Visit Malaysia | List
|
| Charlton Athletic | Nathan Jones |
 Greg Docherty |
Reebok | RSK Group | List
|
| Derby County | John Eustace |
Lewis Travis |
Puma | Loaded[10] | List
|
| Lincoln City | Chris Cohen & Tom Shaw |
 Tendayi Darikwa |
Oxen[11] | Home: Branston[12] Away: Nana Tate[13] |
List
|
| Middlesbrough |  Kim Hellberg |
Luke Ayling |
Castore[15] | Midnite[16] | List
|
| Millwall | Alex Neil |
Jake Cooper |
Erreà | Wiggett Group[17] | List
|
| Norwich City | Philippe Clement |
Kenny McLean |
Joma | Blakely Clothing[18] | List
|
| Portsmouth | John Mousinho |
Marlon Pack |
Nike | University of Portsmouth | List
|
| Preston North End | Paul Heckingbottom |
Ali McCann |
Castore | SpudBros[19] | List
|
| Queens Park Rangers |  Julien Stéphan |
Jimmy Dunne |
Erreà | MrQ[21] | List
|
| Sheffield United | Chris Wilder |
Japhet Tanganga |
Adidas[22] | Midnite[23] | List
|
| Southampton |  Tonda Eckert |
Jack Stephens[24] |
Puma[25] | P&O Cruises[26] | List
|
| Stoke City | Mark Robins |
Viktor Johansson |
Macron | bet365 | List
|
| Swansea City | .svg.png){kind=small} Vítor Matos |
Ben Cabango |
Joma | AG1[27] | List
|
| Watford |  Alessio Dionisi |
Mattie Pollock |
Kelme | BOXT[28] | List
|
| West Bromwich Albion | James Morrison |
 George Campbell |
Macron | Ideal Heating[29] | List
|
| West Ham United | Nuno Espírito Santo |
Jarrod Bowen[30] |
New Balance | BoyleSports[31] | List
|
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | César Peixoto |
Toti Gomes |
Sudu | Midnite[32] | List
|
| Wrexham | Phil Parkinson |
Dominic Hyam |
Macron | Firefox[33] | List
|
Managerial changes
| Team | Outgoing manager | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Position in the table | Incoming manager(s) | Date of appointment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackburn Rovers | Michael O'Neill[36] |
End of contract | 2 May 2026 | Pre-season | Tony Mowbray[37] |
5 June 2026 |
| Bristol City | Roy Hodgson[38] |
End of interim spell | Michael Skubala[39] |
29 May 2026 | ||
| Watford | Edward Still[40] |
Sacked | 3 May 2026 | Alessio Dionisi[41] |
15 June 2026 | |
| Burnley | Mike Jackson[42] |
End of interim spell | 24 May 2026 | Nicky Hayen[43] |
10 July 2026 | |
| Lincoln City | Michael Skubala[44] |
Signed by Bristol City | 29 May 2026 | Chris Cohen & Tom Shaw[45] |
29 May 2026 | |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | Rob Edwards[46] |
Sacked | 11 June 2026 | César Peixoto[47] |
15 June 2026 |
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Millwall | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5 | 6 | Promotion to the Premier League |
| 2 | West Bromwich Albion | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 6 | |
| 3 | Charlton Athletic | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 6 | Qualification for Championship play-off semi-finals |
| 4 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 4 | |
| 5 | Queens Park Rangers | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 4 | Qualification for Championship play-off quarter-finals |
| 6 | Blackburn Rovers | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 4 | |
| 7 | Watford | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 4 | |
| 8 | Swansea City | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 4 | |
| 9 | Bolton Wanderers | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 4 | |
| 10 | Portsmouth | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 3 | |
| 11 | Middlesbrough | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| 12 | Cardiff City | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | |
| 13 | Wrexham | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
| 14 | Birmingham City | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
| 15 | Sheffield United | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| 16 | West Ham United | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 1 | |
| 17 | Derby County | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 1 | |
| 18 | Burnley | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | −2 | 1 | |
| 19 | Bristol City | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 1 | |
| 20 | Lincoln City | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | −3 | 0 | |
| 21 | Preston North End | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | −3 | 0 | |
| 22 | Stoke City | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | −3 | 0 | Relegation to EFL League One |
| 23 | Norwich City | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | −4 | 0 | |
| 24 | Southampton | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | −1[a] |
Updated to match(es) played on 23 August 2026. Source: EFL Official Website
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) Number of 12-point sending off offences; 9) Play-off (only if needed to determine promotion/relegation)[49]
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) Number of 12-point sending off offences; 9) Play-off (only if needed to determine promotion/relegation)[49]
Notes:
- ↑ Southampton were deducted four points due to multiple breaches of EFL regulations related to the unauthorised filming of other clubs' training.[48]
Results
Play-offs
Bracket
| Eliminators | Semi-finals | Final | ||||||||||||||
| 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| 5 | TBC | 6/7/8 | Lowest-seeded eliminators winner | |||||||||||||
| 8 | TBC | |||||||||||||||
| 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| 6 | TBC | 5/6/7 | Highest-seeded eliminators winner | |||||||||||||
| 7 | TBC | |||||||||||||||
Season statistics
- As of 23 August 2026
Top scorers
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taïryk Arconte |
Millwall | 2 |
 Tyreece Campbell |
Charlton Athletic | ||
 Ilias Chair |
Queens Park Rangers | ||
| Josh Coburn |
Millwall | ||
 Zian Flemming |
Burnley | ||
 Andri Guðjohnsen |
Blackburn Rovers | ||
| Lloyd Jones |
Charlton Athletic | ||
| Will Lankshear |
Middlesbrough | ||
.svg.png){kind=small} Cyle Larin |
Southampton | ||
 Fer López |
Wolverhampton Wanderers | ||
| Isaac Price |
West Bromwich Albion |
Hat-tricks
| Player | For | Against | Result | Date |
|---|
Clean sheets
| Rank | Player | Club | Clean sheets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Cooper |
Sheffield United | 2 |
 Lukas Jensen |
Millwall | ||
| 3 | James Beadle |
Birmingham City | 1 |
| Jack Bonham |
Bolton Wanderers | ||
| Pierce Charles |
Queens Park Rangers | ||
 Lawrence Vigouroux |
Swansea City |
Discipline
Player
- Most yellow cards: 2
- Eight players
- Most red cards: 1
José Córdoba (Norwich City)- Svante Ingelsson (Stoke City)
- Adam Randell (Bristol City)
Club
- Most yellow cards: 8
- Derby County
- Most red cards: 1
- Bristol City
- Norwich City
- Stoke City
- Fewest yellow cards: 1
- Bristol City
- Middlesbrough
- Norwich City
- Portsmouth
- Fewest red cards: 0
- Twenty-one teams
Awards
Monthly
| Month | Manager of the Month | Player of the Month | Ref | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August | |||||
| September | |||||
| October | |||||
| November | |||||
| December | |||||
| January | |||||
| February | |||||
| March | |||||
| April | |||||
References
- ↑ "Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Format". EFL. 5 March 2026. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
- ↑ "EFL fixture release day confirmed for 2026/27 season". EFL. 10 April 2025. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
- ↑ "EFL kick-off dates confirmed for 2026/27 season". English Football League. 12 January 2026. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
- ↑ "Coral announced as new Birmingham City principal partner". Birmingham City Football Club (Press release). Birmingham. 27 July 2026. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
- ↑ "Rovers renew Watson Ramsbottom partnership". Blackburn Rovers F.C. 13 June 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2026.
- ↑ "Suits Me to continue backing Rovers supporters for 2026-27". rovers.co.uk. Blackburn: Blackburn Rovers F. C. 17 July 2026. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
- ↑ "Victorian Plumbing commits its future to Bolton Wanderers with new deal" (Press release). Bolton: Bolton Wanderers Football Club. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ "Victorian Plumbing to become Bristol City principal partner" (Press release). Bristol: Bristol City Football Club. 8 January 2026. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
- ↑ "Burnley Football Club announces Vertu as official front of shirt principal partner" (Press release). Burnley: Burnley Football Club. 14 August 2026. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
- ↑ "Club Partner: Derby County announce Loaded as front of shirt (principal) partner". Derby County Football Club (Press release). Birmingham. 15 May 2026. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
- ↑ "Imps extend partnership with Oxen". Lincoln City. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
- ↑ "Branston continue front of shirt partnership for 2026/27". Lincoln City. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
- ↑ "Introducing our new away shirt". Lincoln City. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
- ↑ "Introducing our 2026/27 home shirt!". Lincoln City. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
- ↑ "Castore announced as official technical kit supplier". Middlesbrough Football Club. 9 June 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
- ↑ "Midnite announced as principal partner". Middlesbrough Football Club. 1 July 2026. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
- ↑ "Millwall announce Wiggett Group as new front-of-shirt sponsor". Millwall Football Club. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
- ↑ "Blakely named as new front-of-shirt sponsor". Norwich City Football Club. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
- ↑ "PNE team up with Spud Bros in new partnership". Preston North End Football Club. 25 June 2025. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ↑ "Preston North End announces Dr. Oetker as official shorts sponsor". Preston North End FC. 12 August 2026. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
- ↑ "QPR join forces with MrQ". Queens Park Rangers Football Club. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
- ↑ "adidas and Blades link up again". Sheffield United FC. 22 April 2026. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
- ↑ "United extend principal partnership with Midnite". Sheffield United FC. 2 July 2026. Retrieved 3 July 2026.
- ↑ "Russell Martin on James Ward-Prowse and club captaincy". Southampton Football Club (Press release). Southampton. 11 August 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
- ↑ "PUMA officially becomes a Saint". Southampton Football Club (Press release). Southampton. 24 April 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ↑ "P&O Cruises becomes official front-of-shirt partner". Southampton FC. 1 July 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
- ↑ "Swansea City agree landmark partnership with AG1". Swansea City Football Club (Press release). Swansea. 30 July 2026. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
- ↑ "Official: BOXT confirmed as new front-of-shirt sponsor". Watford FC. 12 May 2026. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
- ↑ "Ideal Heating sign-up for record-breaking extension as principal sponsor". West Bromwich Albion FC. 21 December 2023. Retrieved 23 April 2026.
- ↑ "Jarrod Bowen appointed West Ham United Club captain" (Press release). London: West Ham United Football Club. 15 August 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ↑ "West Ham United announces Boyle Sports front of shirt sponsorship for 2026/27 season" (Press release). London: West Ham United Football Club. 30 June 2026.
- ↑ "Midnite become principal partner of Wolves". Wolverhampton Wanderers FC. 3 June 2026. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
- ↑ "Wrexham AFC and Firefox announce multi-year front-of-kit partnership". wrexhamafc.co.uk. Wrexham AFC. 8 July 2026. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- ↑ "Wrexham AFC names Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) as Official Bank Partner and Back-of-Kit Sponsor". rbc.com. Royal Bank of Canada. 17 August 2026. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
- ↑ "Burnley terminate deal and announce new one in kit chaos days before season opener". Talksport. Talksport. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
- ↑ "Club Statement: Michael O'Neill". rovers.co.uk. 12 May 2026. Retrieved 12 May 2026.
- ↑ "Tony Mowbray returns to Rovers". rovers.co.uk. 5 June 2026. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
- ↑ "Hodgson appointed as Struber departs". bcfc.co.uk. 27 March 2026. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
- ↑ "Skubala appointed City manager". bcfc.co.uk. 29 May 2026. Retrieved 29 May 2026.
- ↑ "Club Statement: Ed Still". watfordfc.com. 3 May 2026. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
- ↑ "Official: Dionisi Appointed As Head Coach". watfordfc.com. 15 June 2026. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
- ↑ "Club statement: Scott Parker". burnleyfootballclub.com. 30 April 2026. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ↑ "NICKY HAYEN CONFIRMED AS NEW BURNLEY BOSS". burnleyfootballclub.com. 10 July 2026. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
- ↑ "Skubala leaves Imps to join Bristol City". weareimps.com. 29 May 2026. Retrieved 29 May 2026.
- ↑ "Cohen and Shaw take over as Head Coaches". weareimps.com. 29 May 2026. Retrieved 29 May 2026.
- ↑ "Wolves part ways with Rob Edwards". wolves.co.uk. 11 June 2026. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
- ↑ "Cesar Peixoto appointed Wolves head coach". wolves.co.uk. 15 June 2026. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
- ↑ Johnson, Dale (19 May 2026). "Southampton expelled from play-offs for spying on Middlesbrough who have been reinstated to the play-off Final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
- ↑ "Section 3 - The League". EFL Official Website. subsection 9 – Method of Determining League Positions. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 31 May 2026.