EFL fixtures for 2026-27 season released with Burnley to host West Ham in Championship opener

Relegated Wolves are set to kick off the 2026-27 English Football League season at Molineux, hosting Blackburn Rovers in an 8pm fixture on Friday, August 14. The newly-released EFL fixture list confirms Wolves' return to the Sky Bet Championship for the first time since 2018, under new boss Cesar Peixoto, facing a Blackburn side led by returning manager Tony Mowbray. Fellow relegated sides West Ham United and managerless Burnley will clash at Turf Moor on the Sunday, marking a significant start to their Championship campaigns. For West Ham, it signals their first season outside the top flight in 14 years, with the London Stadium set to host Championship football for the first time the following Saturday against capital rivals Charlton. Burnley, meanwhile, return to the second tier for the third time since 2023. Southampton will also begin their campaign on Sunday, aiming to move past last month's play-off expulsion for spying against Watford at Vicarage Road. The Championship's opening weekend concludes with a Welsh derby on Monday, as promoted Cardiff City host Wrexham in the capital. Wolves will get the season underway by hosting Blackburn (Nick Potts/PA) (PA Wire) Elsewhere, beaten play-off finalists Middlesbrough welcome Lincoln City to The Riverside, with Lincoln making their return to the second tier after a 65-year absence. Among the eight Saturday fixtures is a lunchtime Lancashire derby between Bolton Wanderers and Preston North End at the Toughsheet Community Stadium. Leagues One and Two will commence their seasons on Saturday, August 15. A decade after lifting the Premier League trophy, Leicester City begin their League One journey at Notts County in a 12:30pm kick-off. Sheffield Wednesday, under new owners Arise Capital Partners, travel to Leyton Orient. Bromley embark on their inaugural third-tier season at Barnsley, while relegated Oxford United face newly-promoted MK Dons in a lunchtime home fixture. In League Two, York City mark their return to the EFL after a decade, hosting Bristol Rovers. Promoted Rochdale visit Newport in a 12:30pm kick-off, and relegated Rotherham United will play their first fourth-tier match since 2013 away at Cheltenham. The opening weekend of fixtures are set to be played over the weekend of August 14-16, with all 72 EFL clubs in action.