The Championship 2026-27 season is set to be a thrilling affair, with a host of clubs vying for promotion and a place in the Premier League. With a mix of established teams, newly relegated sides, and rising stars, the competition promises to be one of the most open and unpredictable in recent memory.
Here's a comprehensive breakdown of the 24 teams, their key players, 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 a mid-table position.
- Strengths: A sense of continuity from last season's squad, with younger, hungrier players. The likes of Carlos Vicente, Jhon Solis, and August Priske are expected to benefit from their experience.
- Weaknesses: Away form needs improvement, with only two clubs scoring fewer goals away from home.
- Difference-maker: August Priske, a young Danish striker, could be a 15-goal-plus striker this 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 form.
- 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 a return to the Championship, with a focus on finding their feet early.
- Strengths: Previous Championship experience and a low-budget squad.
- Weaknesses: Upfront focus, with a need to improve the ratio of opportunities created to goals scored.
- Difference-maker: Ryan Hardie, who had a successful spell with Schumacher at Plymouth.
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: More positive than last season, with a focus on becoming promotion contenders.
- Strengths: Strong centre-backs and central midfielders if fit. The addition of Eissat and midfielder Gibson Yah should help.
- Weaknesses: Questions over the signings of Tolaj and Ballard, who have never played in the Championship before.
- Difference-maker: Tolaj, who could be a cult hero, and Yu Hirakawa, a Japanese winger who helped Hull City gain promotion.
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 in recent seasons.
- Strengths: Several players with a point to prove, including Aaron Ramsey and Mike Tresor.
- Weaknesses: Concerns over key player losses before the window closes.
- Difference-maker: Marcus Edwards, who made a positive impression after arriving during the second half of the previous season.
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, 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 avoid danger.
- Strengths: Defensive structure and clean sheets.
- Weaknesses: Fashioning and taking chances.
- Difference-maker: Karlan Grant, who returned to the club and is expected to 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 top-half finish, with a focus on further additions.
- Strengths: A strong spine, with reliable goalkeeping and a focal point in attack.
- 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: 1st 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 focus on a low budget.
- Strengths: Continuity and a number of players with Championship experience.
- Weaknesses: A quiet transfer window and the need for more faces.
- Difference-maker: George Wickens, a goalkeeper who signed a new contract and developed his game.
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: An expanded play-offs finish.
- Strengths: Defensive soundness and closing out games.
- Weaknesses: Inability to break down teams who sit deep.
- 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: A top-half finish and a challenge for promotion.
- Strengths: Manager Alex Neil's experience and understanding of the club.
- Weaknesses: Up against teams with larger budgets.
- Difference-maker: Josh Coburn, who can replicate his form from last season.
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 improving on last season's performance.
- Strengths: Continuity and a full pre-season.
- Weaknesses: Injuries and the loss of Ali Ahmed to an ACL injury.
- Difference-maker: Andre Brooks, Sam Field, and Mo Toure.
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.
- Strengths: Josh Murphy and Abu Kamara's potential on the flanks.
- Weaknesses: Injuries and a lack of depth in quality.
- Difference-maker: A fit and firing Josh Murphy.
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 and a repeat of last season's strong first half.
- Strengths: A new playing surface at Deepdale.
- Weaknesses: Squad depth concerns.
- Difference-maker: Alfie Devine, Preston's record signing.
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's experience.
- Weaknesses: Conceded 73 goals last season.
- Difference-maker: Rumarn Burrell, who has the qualities of a forward in the Championship.
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 and a strong squad.
- Weaknesses: Strength in depth and the need for two centre-backs, a midfielder, and two left-sided players.
- Difference-maker: Hamer's replacement and a fit again Michael Cooper.
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.
- Strengths: Kept a large core of players from last season's successful run.
- Weaknesses: Divin Mubama's potential and the need to show he can deliver.
- Difference-maker: Leo Scienza, a Brazilian winger.
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: A play-off place.
- Strengths: A solid defence and Viktor Johansson's goalkeeping.
- Weaknesses: A lack of attacking threat.
- Difference-maker: Luke Graham, a young centre-back.
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, Ethan Galbraith, and a pressing game.
- Weaknesses: Away record and the uncertainty surrounding Vipotnik.
- Difference-maker: Joseph Opoku, a 21-year-old Ghana winger.
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: A mid-table finish.
- Strengths: Talent within the ranks, including Othmane Maamma.
- Weaknesses: Spine of the team and the need for quality signings.
- Difference-maker: Othmane Maamma, a naturally gifted attacker.
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 and a top-half finish.
- Strengths: Defensive solidity and a 4-4-2 formation.
- Weaknesses: Converting chances into goals.
- Difference-maker: Jimmy-Jay Morgan and Horn Myhre.
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 job done via the play-offs.
- 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, the best player in the Championship.
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: Premier League-quality players and a core spirit of unity.
- Weaknesses: Questions over the exodus and the need for defensive strength.
- Difference-maker: Mateus Mane, a teenage forward who has shown potential.
Wrexham
- Head Coach: Phil Parkinson
- Last Season: 7th
- Key Ins: Danny Imray (Crystal Palace), Ben Whiteman (Preston), Anthony Patterson (Sunderland)
- Key Outs: Paul Mullin (Rotherham), Jay Rodriguez (released), Andy Cannon (Fleetwood, free)
- Expectations: A top eight finish and a push for top six.
- Strengths: Individual talent, including Josh Windass and Kieffer Moore.
- Weaknesses: Defensive issues and injuries.
- Difference-maker: Danny Imray, a versatile wing-back.
