Club News

2026/27 Sky Bet Championship line-up confirmed

26th May

Albion’s 23 opponents for the 2026/27 Sky Bet Championship campaign have now been confirmed.

Promoted from Sky Bet League One

Joining the Baggies in the second tier having won promotion from Sky Bet League One are Lincoln City, Cardiff City and Bolton Wanderers.

The Imps secured the title in emphatic fashion, amassing 103 points and losing just five matches. The last time they played at this level of football was in 1961 - 65 years ago. Albion haven't faced Lincoln in a league game since 1948, last playing them in a competitive fixture in 1976 in the FA Cup.

Cardiff City finished second, 12 points behind the winners but 14 clear of Stockport County in third. The Bluebirds are returning to the Championship at the first time of asking after being relegated in 2024/25.

The Baggies are on an eight-match unbeaten run against the Welsh outfit, last losing to City in January 2020.

Bolton Wanderers were the final team to book their ticket to the second tier. The Trotters defeated rivals Stockport County 4-1 at Wembley in the play-off final over the May Bank Holiday weekend after edging beyond Bradford City in the semi-final.

They've not played Championship football since 2018/19, which was also the same season where they last went head-to-head with the Albion.

Lincoln City players and staff celebrate winning Sky Bet League One title — Lincoln City are back in the second tier after 65 years away

Relegated from the Premier League

Wolverhampton Wanderers, Burnley and West Ham United were all demoted from the top flight.

Local rivals Wolves finished bottom and are returning the Championship for the first time since the 2017/18 term. The Baggies and the men from Molineux last faced each other in a league encounter in 2021, but will be going head-to-head in a second-tier clash for the first time since 2008 in 2026/27.

Burnley ended the term in 19th position. The Clarets have now been relegated from England's elite division in three of the previous five campaigns, but have won promotion the last two times they've competed in the Championship.

West Ham United's 14-year stay in the Premier League ceased on the final day despite a 3-0 win at home to Leeds United. The Hammers' last term in the Championship was in 2011/12 when they were promoted via the play-offs.

Albion's most recent battle with the Londoners was a top-flight clash in 2021, but the 2026/27 season will see the two clubs compete in the second tier together for the first time since 2003/04.

A general view of the London Stadium from behind one of the goals — The Baggies will travel to the London Stadium in 2026/27

Fixture release and schedule

Albion's 2026/27 Sky Bet Championship fixtures will be released at midday on Thursday, June 25.

Round one of the Carabao Cup will kick the new campaign off across the weekend of 7-9 August. The Sky Bet Championship will then start a week later over the weekend of 14-16 August.