Wrexham’s intimidating opener against Southampton while the Birmingham host relegated Ipswich
Wrexham will open his quest for a fourth successive promotion in Southampton while colleagues from the New Boys Birmingham championship welcome Ipswich on the opening weekend of next season.
The EFL revealed the new list of matches this afternoon and it launched two first clashes between teams that were two divisions apart from the last quarter.
Wrexham continued their remarkable increase in non-bite to the second level under the leadership and financial support of Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mcelhenney.
After the confrontation with Will Still’s saints, they will play their first home game in the championship after an absence of 43 years on August 16 when West Brom is visitors to the race for the racetrack.
A new season and a new league are waiting. We present to you the devices 2025/2026 WREXHAM AFC…
🔴⚪ #WxMafc pic.twitter.com/lemipsn6r4
– Wrexham AFC (@wrexham_afc) June 26, 2025
Birmingham has their own royalty with the former quarter-rear of NFL Tom Brady from a part of an American group led by Tom Wagner.
They will open the championship season with a home game against Ipswich relegated on Friday August 8 before a trip to Blackburn the following week.
Leicester, the third team to abandon the Premier League last season, Sheffield host on Wednesday the opening weekend while Sheffield United, beaten by Sunderland in the qualifying final, facing Bristol City.
There will be tasty derby matches next season in the second level with Southampton facing Portsmouth on September 13 and January 24.
The Steel derby between the two Sheffield clubs occurs on November 22 and February 21, while the former farm derby between Norwich and Ipswich takes place on October 4 and April 11.
Championship arrangements for the opening weekend
Friday August 8
Birmingham City against Ipswich Town (8 p.m.)
Saturday August 9
Charlton Athletic against Watford (12:30 p.m.)
Coventry City against Hull City (12:30 p.m.)
Southampton against Wrexham (12:30 p.m.)
Middlesbrough against Swansea City (3 p.m.)
Norwich City against Millwall (3 p.m.)
Oxford United against Portsmouth (3 p.m.)
Queens Park Rangers against Preston North End (3 p.m.)
Stoke City against Derby County (3 p.m.)
West Bromwich Albion against Blackburn Rovers (3 p.m.)
Sheffield United against Bristol City (5.30 p.m.)
Sunday August 10
Leicester City against Sheffield Wednesday (4:30 p.m.)
League one
Ligue 1 begins a week earlier with Luton, which suffered consecutive relegations, hosting AFC Wimbledon newly promoted on August 1.
Cardiff, who returned in the third level for the first time in 23 years, host of Peterborough first while the finalists of the playoffs, Leyton Orient, visit Huddersfield.
Our 25/26 lights in full 🫡 pic.twitter.com/2vme9azkpf
– Luton Town FC (@Lutontown) June 26, 2025
Ligue 1 provisions the opening weekend
Friday August 1
Luton Town against AFC Wimbledon (8 p.m.)
Saturday August 2
Cardiff City against Peterborough United (12:30 p.m.)
Blackpool against Stevenage (3 p.m.)
Bradford City against Wycombe Wanderers (3 p.m.)
Burton Albion against Mansfield Town (3 p.m.)
Doncaster Rovers against Exeter City (3 p.m.)
Huddersfield Town against Leyton Orient (3 p.m.)
Lincoln City V Reading (3 p.m.)
Plymouth Argyle against Barnsley (3 p.m.)
Rotherham United against Port Vale (3 p.m.)
Wigan Athletic C Northampton Town (3 p.m.)
Sunday August 3
Stockport County against Bolton Wanderers (12h)
League two
Oldham’s first match in the football league after a promotion in the national league qualifiers comes to MK Dons.
The champions of the national league last season, Barnet, welcome Fleetwood.
✊ Let us start.
The first 5 to @Skybetleaguetwo.#Eflfixturereleondy | #oAfc pic.twitter.com/yxzg3n4sot
– (p) Oldham Athletic (@officialoafc) June 26, 2025
Two Ligue two games on opening weekends (all kicks off from 3 p.m. on Saturday August 2)
Accrington Stanley against Gillingham
Barnet against Fleetwood Town
Bristol Rovers against Harrogate Town
Cambridge United against Cheltenham Town
Chesterfield against Barrow
Colchester United against Rovers Tranmere
Grimsby Town against Crawley Town
Milton Keynes Dons against Oldham Athletic
Newport County against Notts County
Salford City against Crewe Alexandra
Shrewsbury Town against Bromley
Walsall against Swindon Town
