The opening weekend of the 2025/26 Championship season is almost upon us. The season promises to be as fiercely competitive as ever, with many clubs fancying their chances of achieving promotion.
Matchday one of the season has brought up some exciting fixtures, with relegated and promoted sides facing off, and plenty of storylines to follow. Here’s what to expect from the opening game week.
Friday night: Birmingham City vs Ipswich Town
Two teams are making their return to the Championship under different circumstances, and the season opener promises to be a real spectacle.
Although the game has become even more anticipated following the transfer saga surrounding Chuba Akpom. The striker was set to sign for Birmingham, but a late approach from Ipswich appears to have turned his head, and the move is now all but announced.
Akpom will likely not be signed in time to feature, but his transfer certainly adds an extra spice to the season opener.
Saturday, early afternoon:
Three games get Saturday’s fixtures underway, each with their own reasons for intrigue. The headliner of the three is undoubtedly Southampton vs Wrexham, where it is another tale of relegated vs promoted sides.
Wrexham make their long-awaited return to the second tier of English football and will no doubt be in the spotlight most weeks. Their opposition, Southampton, will look to rebuild on what was a horror season in the Premier League. New boss Will Still must improve morale around the club and look to get back to winning ways.
The other two fixtures see Charlton Athletic host Watford, as they look to start strongly on their return to the Championship. Elsewhere, Championship semi-finalists Coventry City, who will be looking for another strong campaign, host Hull, who will be seeking to build on what was a poor showing last season as they narrowly avoided relegation.
3 PM kickoffs:
Across the 3 pm blackout, 12 more teams will begin their campaign. In a repeat of the final game of last season, Stoke City take on Derby County.
Alex Neil takes Millwall back to his former club, Norwich City, who will be managed by Liam Manning for the first time.
Other fixtures:
Middlesbrough vs Swansea City
Oxford United vs Portsmouth
Queens Park Rangers vs Preston North End
West Bromwich Albion vs Blackburn Rovers
Evening kickoff: Sheffield United vs Bristol City
Ruben Selles will take charge of Sheffield United for the first time as the Blades look to shake off last season’s playoff final heartbreak. Similarly, it will be the first game in the Robins dugout for Gerhard Struber, who has a tough task in following the successes of Manning.
Sunday: Leicester City vs Sheffield Wednesday
In what could be the most intriguing game of the weekend, many of the talking points surrounding this game come from off the pitch. Sheffield Wednesday players remain unpaid, and the future of the club is still in speculation. There were even questions whether the Owls would fulfil the fixture.
As for Leicester, the champions from two years ago will be looking to return to the Premier League, and will be the heaviest favourites from any game this weekend.
Written by Callum Pawley
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