Championship 2026-27: Club-by-Club Guide to the New Season (2026)

The Championship 2026-27 season is set to be a thrilling affair, with a host of clubs aiming to make their mark in the second tier. With a mix of newly promoted teams, relegated sides, and clubs looking to bounce back, the competition is sure to be fierce. Here's a breakdown of the 24 teams, their key ins and outs, and what we can expect from them this season.

Birmingham City

Head Coach: Chris Davies
Last Season: 10th
Key Ins: James Beadle (Brighton, loan), Dael Fry (Middlesbrough), Kristoffer Lund (Palermo), Jhon Solis (Girona), Luis Vazquez (Anderlecht)
Key Outs: Kai Wagner (Philadelphia Union), Ibrahim Osman (end of loan), Jonathan Panzo (released), Tommy Doyle (end of loan), Kyogo Furuhashi (LA Galaxy)
Expectations: A top eight finish is the target, with a more realistic ambition of play-off places.
Strengths: Younger, hungrier players with a sense of continuity from the second half of last season. Skippers Christoph Klarer and Phil Neumann form a formidable central defensive pairing.
Weaknesses: Away from home, they need to rethink their setup. Last season, they scored fewer goals away from home, with only two clubs scoring fewer.
Difference-maker: August Priske, a young Danish striker, could be a 15-goal-plus striker over a full season.

Blackburn Rovers

Head Coach: Tony Mowbray
Last Season: 20th
Key Ins: Jayden Fevrier (Stockport), Sam Morsy (free)
Key Outs: Sondre Tronstad (out of contract), Ryan Hedges (released)
Expectations: Avoid a repeat of last season's struggles, with a focus on improving home record.
Strengths: Experience gained from battling relegation in recent seasons.
Weaknesses: Lack of Championship experience in key areas, with concerns over goalkeeping.
Difference-maker: Tom Atcheson, a 20-year-old centre-back, is tipped for the top and has been handed the number six shirt.

Bolton Wanderers

Head Coach: Steven Schumacher
Last Season: 5th in League One (play-off winners)
Key Ins: Luca Stephenson (Liverpool), Ryan Hardie (Wrexham, loan), Gaizka Larrazabal (free), Lewis Brunt (Wrexham)
Key Outs: Amario Cozier-Duberry (end of loan)
Expectations: Consolidate return to the Championship, with a focus on finding their feet early.
Strengths: Previous Championship experience and a low budget, with close-season recruitment accelerating.
Weaknesses: Up front, the ratio of opportunities created to goals scored needs improvement.
Difference-maker: Ryan Hardie, who has a history with Schumacher, could make a big difference.

Bristol City

Head Coach: Michael Skubala
Last Season: 12th
Key Ins: Lorent Tolaj (Plymouth), Dom Ballard (Leyton Orient), Sam Tickle (Wigan), Lisav Eissat (Maccabi Haifa)
Key Outs: Radek Vitek (end of loan), Ross McCrorie (Rangers), Mark Sykes (Millwall)
Expectations: Positive but realistic, with a big summer of change off the pitch and eight new signings.
Strengths: Strong centre-backs and central midfielders, with the addition of Eissat and midfielder Gibson Yah.
Weaknesses: Questions over the adaptation of Tolaj and Ballard, who have never played in the Championship before.
Difference-maker: Yu Hirakawa, a Japanese winger, could be a key player with the changing setup under Skubala.

Burnley

Head Coach: Nicky Hayen
Last Season: 19th in Premier League
Key Ins: Ugo Raghouber (Lille)
Key Outs: Maxime Esteve (Leipzig), Jaidon Anthony (Brentford), Luca Koleosho (Paris FC), Florentino Luis (Ipswich)
Expectations: Too early to judge, but the club has earned promotion from the Championship in recent seasons.
Strengths: Several players with a point to prove, including Aaron Ramsey and Mike Tresor.
Weaknesses: Concerns over key player departures, with Zian Flemming linked with a return to the Premier League.
Difference-maker: Marcus Edwards, who made a positive impression last season, could be a key figure.

Cardiff City

Head Coach: Brian Barry-Murphy
Last Season: 2nd in League One (promoted)
Key Ins: Nathan Trott (Copenhagen), Jack Moylan (Lincoln)
Key Outs: Ryan Wintle (MK Dons)
Expectations: Survival and a top-half finish.
Strengths: Young talent, many from the academy, with an exciting style of play.
Weaknesses: Only three players over 30, with a need for Championship experience.
Difference-maker: Dylan Lawlor, Rubin and Joel Colwill, and Cian Ashford will all play significant roles, with a focus on striker Yousef Salech.

Charlton Athletic

Head Coach: Nathan Jones
Last Season: 19th
Key Ins: Ivan Mesik (Heracles), Billy Koumetio (Dundee), Karlan Grant (West Brom), Danny McNamara (Millwall), Millenic Alli (Luton)
Key Outs: Luke Berry, Lyndon Dykes, Macaulay Gillesphey, Karoy Anderson, Jayden Fevrier, Harry Clarke, Luke Chambers, Conor Coady
Expectations: Another season of trying to steer clear of danger.
Strengths: Defensive structure, with a decent amount of clean sheets.
Weaknesses: Both fashioning and taking chances, with low scoring.
Difference-maker: Karlan Grant, who returned to the club, could add more bite and quality.

Derby County

Head Coach: John Eustace
Last Season: 8th
Key Ins: Bobby Clark (Salzburg), Sam Szmodics (Ipswich)
Key Outs: Liam Thompson (Mansfield)
Expectations: A challenging season, with a focus on further additions.
Strengths: Strong spine, with Jacob Widell Zetterstrom and Lewis Travis.
Weaknesses: Short in several positions, including wide areas and attack.
Difference-maker: Bobby Clark, a 21-year-old with talent and potential.

Lincoln City

Head Coaches: Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw
Last Season: First in League One, champions
Key Ins: Andrei Coubis (Universitatea Cluj), Tanto Olaofe (Charlton, loan), Mason Melia (Tottenham, loan)
Key Outs: Jack Moylan (Cardiff), Michael Skubala (head coach, Bristol City)
Expectations: Survival and a tough season with the lowest budget in the league.
Strengths: Continuity and a number of players with Championship experience.
Weaknesses: Quiet window, with a need for more faces.
Difference-maker: George Wickens, a goalkeeper, has signed a new contract and could be a key player.

Middlesbrough

Head Coach: Kim Hellberg
Last Season: 5th (lost in play-off final)
Key Ins: Will Lankshear (Tottenham), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Key Outs: Hayden Hackney (Everton), Dael Fry (Birmingham)
Expectations: Another promotion push, with an expanded play-offs.
Strengths: Defensively sound and brilliant at closing out games.
Weaknesses: Inability to break down teams who sit deep, with a run of two wins from the last 10 games.
Difference-maker: Will Lankshear, a big-money signing, and Seb Berhalter, a USA international.

Millwall

Head Coach: Alex Neil
Last Season: 3rd
Key Ins: Kyrell Lisbie (Peterborough), Lyndon Dykes (Charlton)
Key Outs: Billy Mitchell (Sheff Wed)
Expectations: Challenge for promotion, with a realistic fanbase.
Strengths: Manager Alex Neil, who understands the club and has promotion experience.
Weaknesses: Up against teams with larger budgets.
Difference-maker: Josh Coburn, who can replicate last season's form.

Norwich City

Head Coach: Philippe Clement
Last Season: 9th
Key Ins: Andre Brooks (Sheffield United), Sam Field (QPR), Darlin Yongwa (Lorient), Bruno Alves (Cruzeiro, loan)
Key Outs: Shane Duffy, Emi Marcondes (end of contract)
Expectations: Cautious optimism, with a focus on continuity and a full pre-season.
Strengths: Good shape since Clement inherited the team last November.
Weaknesses: Injuries, with a host of players sidelined.
Difference-maker: Jovon Makama, who scored 13 goals before his season ended prematurely.

Portsmouth

Head Coach: John Mousinho
Last Season: 18th
Key Ins: Rocco Shein (Fredrikstad), Marko Milovanovic (Almeria), Abu Kamara (Hull City)
Key Outs: Andre Dozzell (DC United, free)
Expectations: Steer clear of the relegation battle, with a modest budget.
Strengths: Josh Murphy and Abu Kamara, who have potential to be a very exciting pair.
Weaknesses: Injuries and a lack of depth in quality.
Difference-maker: A fit and firing Josh Murphy, who could re-find his form from two seasons ago.

Preston North End

Head Coach: Paul Heckingbottom
Last Season: 14th
Key Ins: Alfie Devine (Tottenham), Delano Burgzorg (Middlesbrough, loan), Jusef Erabi (Genk, loan)
Key Outs: Ben Whiteman (Wrexham)
Expectations: Further significant additions, with a focus on repeating last season's strong first-half.
Strengths: New playing surface at Deepdale, which became a major issue last winter.
Weaknesses: Squad depth remains a concern, with several key players returning to their parent clubs.
Difference-maker: Alfie Devine, Preston's record signing, who impressed last season.

QPR

Head Coach: Julien Stephan
Last Season: 15th
Key Ins: Calum Ward (Motherwell), Pierce Charles (Manchester City, loan), Boy Kemper (NAC Breda, free), Tariq Lamptey (Fiorentina, free), Glen Kamara (Rennes), Dennis Cirkin (Sunderland, free)
Key Outs: Steve Cook (Wycombe), Sam Field (Norwich) Paul Nardi (end of contract), Isaac Hayden (end of contract)
Expectations: High hopes after a promising transfer window and pre-season.
Strengths: Manager Julien Stephan has a season under his belt in the Championship.
Weaknesses: Conceded 73 goals last season, with a need to sort this out.
Difference-maker: Rumarn Burrell, who has the qualities a forward requires.

Sheffield United

Head Coach: Chris Wilder
Last Season: 13th
Key Ins: Romelle Donovan (Brentford, loan), Matt Doherty (free), Kalvin Phillips (loan)
Key Outs: Gus Hamer (Coventry), Andre Brooks (Norwich)
Expectations: Lowering expectations due to key player sales.
Strengths: Excellent players, with many proving their ability in the Championship.
Weaknesses: Strength in depth, with a need for two centre-backs, a midfielder, and two left-sided players.
Difference-maker: A fit again Michael Cooper in goal.

Southampton

Head Coach: Tonda Eckert
Last Season: 4th (expelled from play-off final)
Key Ins: Divin Mubama (Man City, loan), Cyle Larin (Mallorca), Daniel Peretz (Bayern Munich)
Key Outs: Ross Stewart (Swansea, free), Shea Charles (Fulham)
Expectations: Automatic promotion and a focus on retaining key players.
Strengths: Kept a large core of players from last season's successful run.
Weaknesses: Divin Mubama, who needs to show he can deliver over the course of a Championship season.
Difference-maker: Leo Scienza, a Brazilian winger, who could give full-backs nightmares.

Stoke City

Head Coach: Mark Robins
Last Season: 17th
Key Ins: Ethan Galbraith (Swansea), Djibril Soumare (Braga), Svante Ingelsson (Sheff Wed), Josh Griffiths (West Brom)
Key Outs: Ashley Phillips (end of loan)
Expectations: Competing for a play-off place.
Strengths: Solid defence and Viktor Johansson's outstanding goalkeeping.
Weaknesses: Lack of attacking threat outside of Sorba Thomas.
Difference-maker: Luke Graham, a young centre-back, who has shown potential.

Swansea City

Head Coach: Vitor Matos
Last Season: 11th
Key Ins: Elijah Just (Motherwell), Joseph Opoku (Zalte Waregem), Tiago Parente (Benfica, loan), Ross Stewart (Southampton, free), Stephen Welsh (Celtic, free), Moussa Yeo (RB Salzburg)
Key Outs: Cameron Congreve (Westerlo), Ollie Cooper (Notts Co, loan), Liam Cullen (Leicester), Ethan Galbraith (Stoke), Sam Parker (Wycombe, loan), Ricardo Santos (Sheff Wed)
Expectations: Improve on a mid-table finish and mount a play-off push.
Strengths: Vipotnik, the Championship's top goalscorer, and Ethan Galbraith.
Weaknesses: Matos will focus on improving the team's away record.
Difference-maker: Joseph Opoku, a 21-year-old Ghana winger, with physical qualities to thrive in the Championship.

Watford

Head Coach: Alessio Dionisi
Last Season: 16th
Key Ins: Federico Ravaglia (Bologna), Iker Bravo (Udinese), Omar Traore (Udinese), Jordan Zemura (Udinese)
Key Outs: Giorgi Chakvetadze (Udinese), Nestory Irankunda (Sporting)
Expectations: Mid-table finish, with a focus on recruitment.
Strengths: Talent within the ranks, with Othmane Maamma top of the list.
Weaknesses: Spine of the team is a concern, with just two recognised centre-backs.
Difference-maker: Othmane Maamma, a naturally gifted attacker, who can play left or right.

West Bromwich Albion

Head Coach: James Morrison
Last Season: 21st
Key Ins: Barney Stewart (Falkirk), Jimmy-Jay Morgan (Chelsea, loan), Conor Townsend (Ipswich), Matt Ingram (Oxford United), Felix Horn Myhre (SK Brann), Rabby Nzingoula (Strasbourg)
Key Outs: Jed Wallace (Bristol City), Karlan Grant (Charlton), Josh Maja (Le Havre), Daryl Dike (Orlando City), Josh Griffiths (Stoke)
Expectations: A massive improvement on last season, with a focus on defensive solidity.
Strengths: Morrison's 4-4-2 formation, which is rare in the modern day.
Weaknesses: Problems turning chances into goals.
Difference-maker: Jimmy-Jay Morgan, who has scored five goals in pre-season.

West Ham United

Head Coach: Nuno Espirito Santo
Last Season: 18th in Premier League
Key Ins: Manor Solomon (Tottenham), Joel Veltman (Brighton, free), Keiber Lamadrid (Deportivo La Guaira)
Key Outs: Mateus Fernandes (Tottenham), Crysencio Summerville (Al-Hilal), Freddie Potts (Club Brugge), Callum Wilson (Brentford, free), Adama Traore (released), Lukasz Fabianski (released)
Expectations: Automatic promotion and a focus on retaining key players.
Strengths: Nuno Espirito Santo's stay and a competitive core.
Weaknesses: Off-field issues and the loss of high-quality players.
Difference-maker: Jarrod Bowen, who has 131 goal contributions in 228 games for West Ham.

Wolves

Head Coach: Cesar Peixoto
Last Season: 20th in Premier League
Key Ins: Raul Jimenez (free), Kieran Trippier (free), Rafiki Said (Standard Liege)
Key Outs: Joao Gomes (Aston Villa), Tolu Arokodare (Ajax, loan), Matt Doherty (released)
Expectations: High hopes of an immediate Premier League return.
Strengths: Several players with Premier League quality and a core spirit of unity.
Weaknesses: Questions over the exodus and the need for better recruitment.
Difference-maker: Mateus Mane, a teenage forward, who has appeared fresh, motivated, and well-grounded.

Wrexham

**Head Coach