Wolves to play Blackburn in the opening week of the 2026/27 Championship

By Adegboyega Adeleye

Burnley will host West Ham United while Wolverhampton Wanderers take on Blackburn Rovers in the opening week of the 2026/27 Championship season.

The Championship fixtures for the 2026/27 campaign were released on Thursday, with the clash between relegated Premier League sides Burnley and West Ham among the highlights of the opening round of matches.

Wolves will get the new season underway against Blackburn at Molineux on Friday, August 14, before Burnley welcome West Ham to Turf Moor on Sunday, August 16.

Southampton, who will begin the season on a four‑point deduction following the Spygate scandal, travel to Watford on the opening weekend, while Cardiff City host Welsh rivals Wrexham in a blockbuster all‑Wales clash on Monday, August 17.

League One champions Lincoln City start life in the Championship away at Middlesbrough, while promoted Bolton Wanderers open their campaign at home against Preston North End.

Burnley, West Ham and Wolves will all be targeting an immediate return to the Premier League after suffering relegation last season.

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo remains in charge despite the club’s drop from the top flight after 14 years. The Portuguese previously won the championship title with Wolves during the 2017/18 season.

Wolves begin a new era under Cesar Peixoto, while Burnley are still searching for a permanent manager following the departure of Scott Parker. Wolves have bolstered their squad with former England defender Kieran Trippier and returning Mexico striker Raul Jimenez.

Among the standout fixtures later in the season, West Ham travel to Millwall on September 19 for the first meeting between the rivals since 2012, while Wolves host West Bromwich Albion in the latest edition of the Black Country derby on the same day.

Southampton and Portsmouth will renew their South Coast rivalry on October 10, while Burnley face Blackburn in the first East Lancashire derby of the season on November 21.

The Championship season will conclude on May 1, 2027, with Burnley away to Birmingham City, West Ham hosting Portsmouth and Wolves travelling to Derby County.