West Bromwich Albion's 2025/26 Sky Bet Championship campaign begins with a battle against Blackburn Rovers at The Hawthorns on Saturday afternoon (ko 3pm).
The encounter will see new head coach Ryan Mason take charge of his first competitive game following his appointment in the summer.
Summer signings Nat Phillips, Aune Heggebø and George Campbell will all have their sights set on making their debuts in the famous navy-blue-and-white stripes this weekend.
Visitors Blackburn, who ended the 2024/25 term two points and two places clear of the Baggies, are managed by former Albion boss Valerien Ismael.
It's the second time in three years the two teams will go head-to-head on the opening day. Rovers claimed a 2-1 triumph at Ewood Park in August 2023.
Follow the action LIVE
Supporters can listen to live audio commentary of Albion's clash with Rovers.
Audio passes are available to purchase here.
WBA Radio & WBA TV duo Gez Mulholland and Andy Johnson will provide live commentary from The Hawthorns, with coverage starting at 2.50pm.
Details for video streaming on WBA TV will be available here from Friday morning.
Supporters are kindly asked to direct any questions or complaints about WBA TV or WBA Radio to wbatvsupport@streamamg.com.
The club are unable to answer queries about WBA TV or WBA Radio sent to fans@wbafc.co.uk, myalbion@wbafc.co.uk or enquiries@wbafc.co.uk.
Regular updates will also be posted across the club's social media channels throughout the day.
The opposition
Blackburn head to The Hawthorns having enjoyed another strong season in the second tier last time around.
Valerien Ismael's men finished just two points and one place off the play-off positions in 2024/25 - the third time in the last four years where they've come eighth or higher in the Sky Bet Championship.
Rovers ended the previous term six matches unbeaten, winning four of those tussles, and will be keen to pick up from where they left off.
They've made a number of signings in the summer. Swedish midfielder Axel Henriksson joined on Wednesday, while Australian international defender Lewis Miller linked up with the squad on Monday. Midfielders Sidnei Tavares and Dion De Neve were also added to Rovers' ranks, as were defenders Ryan Alebiosu and Sean McLoughlin, earlier in the window.
There have been notable departures too, though. Attacker Tyrhys Dolan joined Spanish outfit Espanyol, while right-sided duo Joe Rankin-Costello and Callum Brittain agreed terms with Charlton Athletic and Middlesbrough respectively.
Memorable meeting
The Baggies edged a five-goal thriller at The Hawthorns against Rovers in August 2019.
All the goals came in the opening period, with Bradley Dack and Bradley Johnson on target for the visitors in the first and last minute of the half respectively.
Matt Phillips, Jake Livermore and Grady Diangana all found the net for the hosts.
Check out the highlights below!
Recent record on home soil against Rovers
Albion 0-2 Blackburn Rovers, February 2025
Rovers claimed a 2-0 Sky Bet Championship triumph the last time they visited The Hawthorns in February this year. Makhtar Gueye's second-half brace was enough to send the away outfit home with maximum points.
Albion 4-1 Blackburn Rovers, January 2024
The Baggies ran out comprehensive winners in January 2024. It was a memorable afternoon for Tom Fellows who scored his first senior league goal, with Brandon Thomas-Asante on target twice - once in each half. Dom Hyam's own goal meant the hosts were 3-0 up at the break. Jake Garrett pulled one back on the hour, but Thomas-Asante's second sealed a super scoreline. Check out the highlights below.
Albion 1-1 Blackburn Rovers, February 2023
Ben Brereton Diaz's 89th-minute free-kick earned Blackburn a share of the spoils at The Hawthorns in February 2023. Jayson Molumby nodded in from close range to make it 1-0 inside the final 17 minutes, only for the Chile international forward to equalise in the dying stages of the second-tier showdown.
How's that for a stat
Albion and Blackburn, two of the founding members of the Football League, are meeting on the opening day of a campaign for the fourth time, and second in the last three years. Both teams have won one each (2-1 scorelines), with the other ending level. Saturday's clash at The Hawthorns will be the first time the Baggies have hosted Rovers on the first day of a new season.
Albion will be playing at home on the opening day of a campaign for the first time since 2020/21 when Leicester City visited The Hawthorns in the Premier League. The Baggies had four straight away games on matchday one between 2021 and 2024.
This weekend's fixture will see the Baggies and Blackburn go to battle in August for the fifth time in the last six seasons when they've shared the same division.
Frenchman Valerien Ismael will return to The Hawthorns for the first time since departing Albion in February 2022. The 49-year-old's record as head coach at Albion was 12 wins, nine draws and 10 defeats from 31 matches in charge.
Rovers have won their first match in all of their last five seasons, claiming four league triumphs and one cup victory. The last time they failed to record a win in their campaign-opener was back in 2019 when they lost 2-1 at home to Charlton Athletic in the Championship.
Ticket information
Tickets are on general sale for Albion’s 2025/26 Sky Bet Championship season-opener against Blackburn Rovers.
Prices start from £32 adults, £27 seniors (65+), £20 20-25s, £15 under-20s, £10 under-17s and £7 under-14s.
Adult disabled supporter tickets are available from £22.
Secure your seat online, in person via the East Stand Ticket Office, or by calling 0121 227 2227.
Please note, tickets will be delivered via the ‘WBA Tickets On The Go’ app.
The app is available to download on smart devices from the Apple Store here and the Google Play Store here.
Baggies fans unable to use a smart phone to enter the stadium will need to contact the Ticket Office.
When buying online, supporters will need to be logged into their My Albion account linked to their ticketing ID. Click here for instructions.
Hospitality
Various hospitality options remain available for the game with Blackburn.
Fans can explore below - and make a booking by clicking here, calling the team on 0121 524 3455, or by emailing hospitality@wbafc.co.uk.
For the supporters
The club are incredibly excited to welcome supporters back to The Hawthorns on Saturday afternoon for the start of the 2025/26 Sky Bet Championship campaign.
There are plenty of activities to enjoy both before and after the encounter.
The Fan Zone will open from midday for the season-opener. Supporters of both clubs with a valid match ticket are welcome to attend for free.
A wide range of entertainment will be on offer in the Fan Zone including opportunities to grab the perfect selfie with mascots Baggie Bird and Boiler Man, fun inflatable challenges put on by the Albion Foundation and the chance to play a whole host of video games at the gaming van.
There’s live football on the big screen too. Southampton, relegated from the Premier League last season, take on Wrexham, one of the three teams rising up to the second tier from the third. That particular encounter starts at 12.30pm.
Call Me Unique will be providing the live music this weekend, working their way through a set list.
Fans can take advantage of plenty of food and drink options and purchase Baggies merchandise – including all three 2025/26 replica kits - at the retail wardrobe.
A sunny Saturday in the summer at the Shrine? Fear not. Cool yourself down with a sweet treat from the ice cream van!
The club shop will be open from 9am until kick-off, before reopening after the final whistle for a further 30 minutes.
After full-time, supporters with a valid match ticket from all stands are invited to visit the post-match bar which is situated in the middle of the East Stand and can be accessed via gate 12. New TVs and lightning have been installed, while benches and tables will be in place. Live football will be shown on the screens – the Championship encounter between Sheffield United and Bristol City at Bramall Lane (ko 5.30pm). Feeling peckish after the first 90 minutes of the campaign? Discounted food will be available while stocks last, with the bar remaining open until 7pm following last orders at 6.30pm.
Enjoy your day and come on you Baggies!
