The 2026/27 Championship campaign kicks off on Friday with a mouth-watering opening fixture between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers at Molineux.
Wolves will be determined to secure an immediate return to the Premier League, while Blackburn are hoping Tony Mowbray’s return can spark a dramatic turnaround.
With a host of clubs boasting Premier League experience competing in the second tier, the new Championship season looks set to be fiercely contested.
Here’s a look at some of the biggest summer transfers so far, followed by our preview of the 2026/27 campaign.
Championship 2026/27 – Top Summer Transfers
Championship 2026/27 – Season Preview
West Ham United entered last season expecting to challenge for a top-half Premier League finish, but their campaign quickly went off course.
Nuno Espirito Santo could not prevent the Hammers from suffering relegation, but he has been handed the opportunity to lead the club straight back into the top flight.
Nuno already knows what it takes to win promotion from the Championship, having guided Wolves into the Premier League eight years ago.
The decision of Jarrod Bowen to remain at the London Stadium provides West Ham with a significant boost. However, their promotion hopes could ultimately depend on the additions they make before the transfer window closes.
Given the financial resources available to them, West Ham should be among the favourites to secure an immediate return, although promotion is far from guaranteed.
Wolves share the same ambition of bouncing straight back to the Premier League, but their squad still requires strengthening before the window shuts.
Raul Jimenez has returned to Wolves after representing Mexico at the World Cup and could prove to be a major attacking asset in the Championship.
Burnley, meanwhile, have developed a reputation as a yo-yo club in recent seasons. However, another promotion may be difficult after the departure of several important players during the summer.
New boss Nick Hayen also has limited experience of English football, meaning he could need time to adjust to the demands of the Championship.
Middlesbrough could be one of the strongest promotion contenders. They are familiar with this level and look well placed to challenge after narrowly missing out last season.
The arrivals of Will Lankshear from Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United goalkeeper Radek Vitek have strengthened the squad, while United States midfielder Sebastian Berhalter could be an excellent replacement for Hayden Hackney following his impressive performances in Major League Soccer.
Southampton will also be hoping to mount a promotion challenge despite beginning the campaign with a four-point deduction stemming from the spying controversy that surrounded the club last season.
A strong start could put the south coast side firmly in the play-off conversation, with a top-six finish potentially within reach.
Birmingham City, Wrexham, Norwich City and Sheffield United are among the other sides expected to compete near the top of the table.
The expanded play-off system could also create an opportunity for an unexpected contender to enter the promotion race. With teams finishing between third and eighth now securing play-off places, significantly more clubs will believe they have a realistic chance of reaching the Premier League.
Blackburn Rovers may not immediately spring to mind as promotion candidates after narrowly escaping relegation last season.
However, Tony Mowbray’s return for a second spell could provide the spark needed to transform their fortunes.
Mowbray has already received assurances that Blackburn’s owners, Venky’s, are prepared to back him in the transfer market. The key question now is whether that promised support translates into meaningful reinforcements.
The experienced manager believes Blackburn have the potential to challenge for promotion and is confident he can help the club exceed expectations.
Reflecting on his return to Ewood Park, Mowbray said:
“I’ve been back a few times in the past season to watch a few games, and it feels like home, especially considering I spent a long time here – five-and-a-half years.
“That’s a long time in modern-day football, and we had some good times and felt like we’d built a half-decent team but couldn’t quite get over the line to reach our ambition of getting in the Premier League.
“It almost feels like I’m coming back to finish the job, because the aim of every team in the Championship is to try and get to the Premier League.
“I think you need the energy to do the job and my wife is so happy that this opportunity has come because I’ve been driving everybody mad in the house!
“Football burns away in me. I can’t wait to get started, and I’m looking forward to making new relationships and reinventing the old ones.”
