The Sky Bet Championship for the 2025/26 season is set, and the landscape has shifted dramatically. On May 25, 2025, the English Football League (EFL) confirmed the 24-team roster after the final whistle of the play-offs — and for the first time in over a decade, three clubs from outside the traditional Championship elite are stepping up: Birmingham City, Wrexham, and Charlton Athletic. They’re replacing the three teams that tumbled out of the Championship last season — Luton Town, Plymouth Argyle, and Cardiff City — while three Premier League survivors have dropped down: Ipswich Town, Leicester City, and Southampton.
The New Faces in the Championship
It’s not every year that a club from North Wales, a team from southeast London, and a club with the emotional weight of Birmingham’s industrial past all arrive in the same division. But that’s exactly what’s happening. Wrexham, now firmly under the stewardship of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, is back in the second tier for the first time since 2013. Their 10,771-seat Racecourse Ground will be buzzing again — not just with Welsh fans, but with global attention. Meanwhile, Birmingham City, once a regular in the top flight, returns after a two-year absence, playing at the historic St Andrew’s Stadium with its 29,409 capacity. And Charlton Athletic, whose last top-flight campaign ended in 2007, will be back at The Valley, a ground that’s seen more drama than most stadiums in England.Their arrival isn’t just symbolic — it’s structural. These three clubs bring different fan cultures, different financial models, and different expectations. Wrexham’s global social media following dwarfs many Championship clubs. Birmingham’s fanbase, though battered by ownership turmoil, remains fiercely loyal. Charlton’s return is a story of resilience — they’ve climbed from League Two in just three seasons.
The Relegated Giants
Don’t mistake relegation for decline. Ipswich Town, Leicester City, and Southampton aren’t just any teams. Leicester, fresh off a Champions League semifinal just six years ago, now face a brutal fight to bounce back. Their King Power Stadium (32,259 capacity) will be quieter this season, but the pressure to return won’t fade. Ipswich, the 1981 European Cup Winners’ Cup champions, are rebuilding under a new manager and a new ownership group. Southampton, once a model of youth development, are now in transition — and their St Mary’s Stadium will be the stage for a team fighting to regain identity.These three will be the favorites to win promotion again. But they won’t be the only ones. The Championship has always been a war of attrition — and this year, with more high-profile names in the mix, it’s even more unpredictable.
A Season of Structure and Timing
The 2025/26 campaign will be the 10th under Sky Bet’s sponsorship and the 34th season under the current 24-team format. The EFL has confirmed a packed schedule: 33 weekend rounds, 9 midweek fixtures, and 4 bank holiday matches. That’s 46 games per team — and with no winter break, players will feel every minute of it.The season kicks off on the weekend of August 9–10, 2025. But fans won’t have to wait long to see who’s playing whom. The full fixture list drops at exactly 12:00 PM GMT on Thursday, June 26, 2025 — a moment that will be monitored by clubs, broadcasters, and bettors alike. It’s a ritual as much as a calendar entry.
Administratively, the EFL released its official squad lists — including U21 registered contract players — on September 10, 2025. That’s later than usual, and it’s sparked quiet debate among clubs. Some say it gives younger players more time to train; others worry it delays tactical planning. The EFL hasn’t commented yet.
History in the Making
The matchups alone tell a story. Derby County and Birmingham City last met in league play in 2021/22 — a 2-1 win for Derby. But Derby and Wrexham? Their last league encounter was in the 1981/82 Second Division. A single FA Cup meeting in 2006/07 at Pride Park was the only flicker of contact since. Now, they’ll meet twice — and it’s guaranteed to be electric.Even the geography matters. The Championship now stretches from the Welsh border to the south coast, from the industrial heart of Sheffield to the coastal town of Portsmouth. It’s a league that feels more like a nation than a competition.
What’s Next?
The real test begins in August. Can Wrexham handle the physicality? Can Birmingham rebuild their squad on a tighter budget? Will Charlton’s momentum carry them into the playoff race? And can Leicester, Ipswich, and Southampton — all with Premier League ambitions — survive the grind?One thing’s clear: this isn’t just another season. It’s a reset. The Championship has always been the most unpredictable league in English football. This year, it’s also the most culturally significant.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Wrexham earn promotion to the Championship?
Wrexham won the 2024/25 League One title with 92 points, finishing two clear of second-place Barnsley. Their promotion was sealed on April 26, 2025, with a 3-1 win over Crewe Alexandra at the Racecourse Ground. The club’s global fanbase, boosted by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s ownership since 2021, played a major role in funding squad upgrades and attracting high-profile signings like former Premier League midfielder Jonny Evans.
Why is the EFL releasing squad lists so late in September?
The EFL moved the squad list deadline to September 10 to allow clubs more time to finalize loan deals and youth player registrations after summer transfers. This change follows complaints from lower-budget clubs who struggled to finalize rosters before the season. While top clubs welcomed the flexibility, some managers criticized the delay, saying it complicates tactical preparation ahead of the first matchday.
Which teams have the biggest stadium capacities in the 2025/26 Championship?
The largest venues are Riverside Stadium (Middlesbrough, 34,742), King Power Stadium (Leicester City, 32,259), and Ewood Park (Blackburn Rovers, 31,367). Birmingham City’s St Andrew’s (29,409) ranks sixth. Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground is the smallest at just over 10,000 — but its atmosphere is often cited as the most intense in the division.
What’s the significance of the 2025/26 season being the 34th under the current format?
The current 24-team, 46-game format was introduced in 1992/93 after the Premier League broke away from the Football League. Since then, the Championship has become the most competitive second tier in European football, with more financial stakes, global broadcasting deals, and promotion/relegation drama than any other league at this level. This season marks 34 years of that structure — and it’s still evolving.
How does promotion from League One work in the EFL system?
The top two teams in League One are automatically promoted. The teams finishing 3rd through 6th enter a playoff, with the winner earning the third promotion spot. In 2024/25, Wrexham (1st) and Birmingham City (2nd) earned automatic promotion. Charlton Athletic finished 4th, beat 3rd-place Fleetwood Town in the semifinals, then defeated 5th-place Wycombe Wanderers 2-1 in the final at Wembley on May 24, 2025, to seal their return.
Why are three Premier League teams being relegated together this season?
It’s rare, but not unprecedented. In the 2022/23 season, Leeds United, Southampton, and West Ham were all relegated together. This year, Ipswich, Leicester, and Southampton all finished in the bottom three after inconsistent campaigns, poor defensive records, and managerial changes. Leicester’s 2023/24 Champions League run left them depleted; Southampton lost key players to injury; Ipswich’s squad depth didn’t match Premier League intensity. All three lacked the financial muscle to adapt quickly.
