The English Football League Championship for the 2025/26 season was officially confirmed on May 25, 2025, when Ipswich Town posted the full list on its website. The rollout comes hot on the heels of the 2024/25 campaign and locks in the 24 clubs that will battle for promotion to the Premier League next year.
Three clubs that spent last season at the top of English football’s hierarchy will be looking to bounce straight back: Leicester City, Southampton and the newly‑relegated Hull City. Their big‑budget squads, seasoned managers and hungry fanbases promise to turn the early weeks into a promotion‑race showcase.
Confirmed Clubs and Relegated Heavyweights
Besides the three former Premier League sides, the Championship will also feature long‑standing second‑tier stalwarts such as Birmingham City, Blackburn Rovers, Bristol City, Charlton Athletic, Coventry City, Derby County and a host of others. The mixture of clubs with playoff experience and those fighting to stay afloat creates a volatile league table from day one.
Why does this matter? Relegated clubs typically retain a larger wage bill and attract higher‑profile signings, which can tilt the competitive balance. Yet history shows that bounce‑back isn’t guaranteed – remember the 2022/23 season when Norwich City lingered mid‑table despite a hefty squad?
Newly Promoted Sides and Returnees
Two clubs earned promotion from League One: Wrexham and Birmingham City. Their arrival adds fresh storylines, especially for Wrexham, whose Hollywood‑backed ownership has turned the club into a global curiosity.
Portsmouth also return to the second tier, setting up a South Coast derby against Southampton on September 13, 2025, at the Dell. The clash marks the first meeting of the two sides in six years – a nostalgic rivalry that will likely draw a sell‑out crowd and a surge in TV ratings.
Opening Fixtures and Early Test Matches
The opening weekend will be broadcast live on Sky Sports across all three EFL divisions, guaranteeing nationwide exposure. Leicester City kick off away at Sheffield Wednesday, then face back‑to‑back trips to Preston North End and Charlton Athletic. That three‑game road swing could test the Foxes’ depth early on.
Meanwhile, Ipswich Town start at home against Birmingham City before meeting Wrexham in their second fixture. Their first six games also include a showdown with Sheffield United, the 2024/25 playoff runners‑up, meaning the Town will face proven promotion‑chasers early.
Southampton’s itinerary mirrors the other relegated clubs: an opening match versus Wrexham, then a crucial second‑round face‑off with Ipswich Town. The early head‑to‑head between the three demoted sides could set the tone for the rest of the campaign.
Squad List Release and Transfer Window Wrap‑up
The EFL published the official squad lists on September 10, 2025, after the summer transfer window slammed shut on August 31. Every club submitted a Sky Bet Championship roster, complete with Under‑21 Registered Contract players. Leicester City confirmed their squad on the same day, confirming the retention of several Premier League‑level talents.
Why does the timing matter? Clubs that finalise their squads before the deadline avoid the disruption of late‑season paperwork issues – a problem that felled several clubs in the 2020/21 season when registration errors forced players to sit on the bench.
Promotion Mechanics and Season Outlook
The traditional promotion formula stays in place: winner and runner‑up earn automatic promotion, while the teams finishing third through sixth duel in the playoffs for the final Premier League slot. The playoff final, slated for May 2026 at Wembley, will be the season’s climax.
Experts predict three distinct battles: the “relegated‑club race” to claim the top two spots, a “mid‑table scramble” among clubs like Derby County and Coventry City, and a “new‑comer fight” for survival featuring Wrexham and Birmingham City. Financial analysts note that the three former Premier League clubs collectively command roughly £180 million in wage commitments, dwarfing the average Championship budget of £45 million. That disparity could translate into a points gap, but smart recruitment and tactical discipline can bridge it – Leicester’s manager, for example, has a reputation for getting the best out of limited resources.
All eyes will be on the early fixtures to gauge whether the demoted giants can dominate or whether a surprise challenger, perhaps Sheffield United, will defy expectations and seize the playoff momentum.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will the relegated clubs' budgets affect the competition?
The three clubs dropping from the Premier League – Ipswich Town, Leicester City and Southampton – each entered the Championship with wage books near £60 million. That financial firepower lets them retain higher‑calibre players, giving them a head‑start in the promotion race, though it also means they must manage relegation clauses and potential salary reductions.
What challenges do the newly promoted clubs face?
Both Wrexham and Birmingham City will need to adapt to the Championship’s faster pace and larger crowds. Budget constraints limit their ability to match the spending of relegated clubs, so they’ll rely on solid defensive organization and set‑piece proficiency to earn points.
When is the first South Coast derby scheduled?
Portsmouth will host Southampton at the Dell on September 13, 2025. It’s the first meeting of the two sides in the Championship since 2019, reviving a rivalry that hasn’t been witnessed for six years.
How does the broadcast arrangement affect clubs?
Sky Sports will air every opening‑weekend match across the Championship, League One and League Two. The exposure brings increased match‑day revenue from TV rights and boosts sponsor visibility, especially for clubs with growing overseas fanbases like Wrexham.
What are the key dates to watch for this season?
Season kick‑off: August 2, 2025. Squad list publication: September 10, 2025. South Coast derby: September 13, 2025. Midlands derbies for Leicester: late August (vs Birmingham) and September 20 (vs Coventry). Playoff final: May 2026 at Wembley.
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