The 2026/27 English Football League campaign has officially begun, and the excitement is palpable across all three divisions. This weekend marks the start of a packed schedule, with every Championship, League One and League Two fixture being broadcast live on Sky Sports, giving supporters a front‑row seat to the action from the very first whistle. One of the headline changes for the season is the expansion of the Championship play‑offs.
Historically, only the teams finishing third to sixth have had a shot at promotion, but the league has widened the opportunity to include the clubs finishing seventh and eighth as well. This adjustment, the most significant alteration to the domestic structure in decades, means that eight teams will now contest the post‑season, dramatically increasing the stakes for mid‑table sides and keeping promotion hopes alive for longer into the campaign.
The early betting odds have already highlighted West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers as the favourites to bounce straight back to the Premier League. West Ham are returning to the second tier after a 14‑year stint in the top flight, and they have retained manager Nuno Espírito Santo, who previously guided Wolves to the Championship title in 2018.
Their squad still boasts Jarrod Bowen, a proven Championship performer who shone for Hull City before his move to London. Wolves, meanwhile, have made a bold managerial appointment, bringing in the relatively unknown Portuguese coach César Peixoto to replace Rob Edwards.
Their opening match, a 2‑2 draw at home against Blackburn Rovers, offered a tantalising glimpse of what could be a high‑scoring, attacking season for the club. Burnley present a slightly different narrative. The Clarets have hired Belgian tactician Nicky Hayen, a 45‑year‑old who previously led both Club Brugge and KRC Genk. While the appointment adds an element of intrigue, Burnley’s recent history provides reassurance: they secured promotion in each of the last two Championship seasons, amassing over 100 points on both occasions.
According to Sky Sports' predictive algorithm, West Ham and Wolves sit at the top of the favourite list, with Burnley positioned fourth, just behind Middlesbrough. Middlesbrough’s own story is one of resilience. Last season they spent more weeks in the top two than any other side but ultimately finished fifth. Their campaign was marred by the infamous Spygate controversy, a semi‑final defeat to Southampton, a reinstatement to the final, and a heartbreaking loss to Hull City via an Oli McBurnie stoppage‑time goal at Wembley.
Nevertheless, the club appears to have moved past the drama, thanks in large part to a vigorous summer spending spree. Owner Steve Gibson has opened the club’s purse strings, securing striker Will Lankshear—who netted the decisive Carabao Cup goal against Wrexham after an impressive 11‑goal season with Oxford—and adding United States international Sebastian Berhalter and former Manchester United loanee goalkeeper Radek Vitek, who impressed during his stint at Bristol City. This influx of talent has reignited optimism among the Boro faithful, who now envision a realistic challenge for promotion.
Southampton’s narrative is equally compelling. After being expelled from the previous season’s play‑offs for their involvement in the Spygate scandal, the Saints have rallied under manager Ton de Kemp (often referred to as Tonda Eckert). Although an FA disciplinary charge still looms, the club has made decisive signings to replace departing midfielder Shea Charles. Goalkeeper Daniel Peretz and striker Cyle Larin, both of whom excelled during loan spells, have been signed on permanent deals.
The Saints must also contend with a four‑point deduction, but their remarkable second‑half resurgence last season suggests they possess the quality to overcome that handicap. Other managerial movements merit attention.
Tony Mowbray returns to Blackburn Rovers after a four‑year absence, while Watford have appointed Italian coach Alessio Dionisi. In Lincoln City, Michael Skubala departed for Bristol City, prompting the Imps to adopt a joint‑manager model with Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw at the helm. Leicester City, now in League One for only the second time in their history and a decade after their Premier League triumph, have turned to Russell Martin to halt a double relegation slide. Martin faces the added task of winning over sceptics after lackluster spells at Southampton and Rangers, but summer acquisitions such as Liam Cullen, Conor Chaplin and Wes Burns provide a solid foundation.
Sheffield Wednesday have entered a new era under owner David Storch following the end of the Chansiri era. Henrik Pedersen, who steered the Owls through a difficult 2025/26 season, remains in charge, aiming to extract more from a squad that now appears better equipped to compete. Notable signings include promising youngster Louie Barry—who, despite injury setbacks, impressed at Stockport County—and the return of veteran midfielder Barry Bannan from Millwall. In the lower tiers, Luton Town continue to thrive under Jack Wilshere after a strong finish to the previous season, while Plymouth Argyle have been impressive in 2026, narrowly missing the play‑offs.
Oxford United have made a headline‑grabbing appointment, naming former Wales captain Aaron Ramsey as manager. Ramsey’s tenure begins under a transfer embargo, limiting his ability to reinforce the relegated side, but his experience could prove invaluable. Barnsley welcome back Daniel Stendel, Huddersfield Town have installed Martin Drury, and Jimmy McNulty left Rochdale to take charge at Stockport following Dave Challinor’s exit.
Bromley, promoted to the EFL for the first time in 2024, achieved another promotion after just two seasons, clinching the League Two title and now competing in the third tier. Their manager Andy Woodman, previously labelled a relegation favourite, will be eager to prove doubters wrong.
York City have returned to the EFL after a decade away, but their celebration was dampened by the departure of manager Stuart Maynard—who led them to a 100‑plus‑point promotion—just weeks before the season started. His successor, Scott Lindsey, has struggled to win over supporters, with the club bowing out of the Carabao Cup in the preliminary round and fans demanding Maynard’s return. Rochdale, after securing automatic promotion from the National League, also lost their manager, with Ian Watson arriving from South Shields to take the reins. Salford City, now ten years into their League Two stay, came close to promotion last season but fell short in the play‑off final to Notts County.
New manager Peter Cklamovski—formerly in charge of the Malaysia national team—has already splashed the market, signing Macaulay Langstaff and Luke Molyneux, fueling speculation that the club owned by Gary Neville and David Beckham could finally break into League One. Other fresh appointments include Chris Hogg at Northampton Town, Alex Bruce at Rotherham United, Darrell Clarke at Tranmere Rovers, Lee Grant at Walsall and Hayden Mullins at Newport County. The season officially kicks off with Wolves hosting Blackburn on Friday night, and Sky Sports will broadcast over 1,000 live matches across the Championship, League One, League Two, the Carabao Cup and the EFL Trophy throughout the campaign.
Fans can also catch free highlights on the Sky Sports app after each round, while the Essential EFL podcast and The EFL Show on Sky Sports News provide analysis and debate each Monday at 2 pm. The opening weekend schedule includes a Saturday 15 kick‑off at 3 pm, and Sky’s Play Super 6 competition offers a chance to win £1 million, with entry available at no cost. This comprehensive coverage ensures that supporters across the country can stay connected to every twist and turn of the 2026/27 EFL season.