The 2025-26 EFL Championship season represents a thrilling chapter in English Soccer’s second tier, featuring promoted giants returning from the Premier League alongside ambitious clubs seeking their first taste of top-flight action. With 24 teams battling across 46 matches each, the campaign promises intense competition for promotion, playoff places, and survival.
The 2025–26 Championship season began on August 8, 2025, with Birmingham City facing Ipswich Town in an opening fixture that set the tone for what promises to be one of the most competitive campaigns in recent memory.
The season will conclude on May 2, 2026, following the traditional 46-game format where each team plays every other team twice.
2025-26 EFL Championship Key Season Structure
- 33 weekend rounds
- 9 midweek rounds
- 4 bank holiday rounds
- Promotion: Top 2 teams gain automatic Premier League promotion
- Playoffs: Teams finishing 3rd-6th compete for the final promotion spot
- Relegation: Bottom 3 teams drop to League One
Current League Table and Early Standings
As of September 21, 2025, the Championship table showcases some surprising early-season form
Top of the Table
- Middlesbrough – 16 points (5W, 1D, 0L) – Goal difference: +7
- Stoke City – 12 points (4W, 0D, 2L) – Goal difference: +5
- Bristol City – 11 points (3W, 2D, 0L) – Goal difference: +8
- Leicester City – 11 points (3W, 2D, 1L) – Goal difference: +3
- Preston North End – 11 points (3W, 2D, 1L) – Goal difference: +2
Relegation Battle
- Sheffield Wednesday – 4 points (1W, 1D, 4L) – Goal difference: -7
- Oxford United – 2 points (0W, 2D, 3L) – Goal difference: -3
- Sheffield United – 0 points (0W, 0D, 6L) – Goal difference: -12
2025-26 EFL Championship Team Changes and New Additions
Promoted from League One
- Birmingham City – Following their dramatic relegation to League One, the Blues secured immediate promotion and are among the favorites for another quick ascent.
- Wrexham – The Hollywood-owned club continues their remarkable rise under Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney
- Charlton Athletic – Return to the Championship after securing promotion from League One
Relegated from the Premier League
- Leicester City – The former Premier League champions return to familiar territory
- Ipswich Town – After their brief Premier League stint, the Tractor Boys aim for immediate promotion
- Southampton – The Saints face the challenge of bouncing back from relegation
Departing Teams
- Promoted to Premier League: Leeds United, Burnley, Sunderland
- Relegated to League One: Luton Town, Plymouth Argyle, Cardiff City
Standings or Points Table
| Rank | Club | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middlesbrough | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 16 |
| 2 | Stoke City | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 12 |
| 3 | Bristol City | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 4 | 8 | 11 |
| 4 | Leicester City | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 11 |
| 5 | Preston | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 11 |
| 6 | Coventry | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 15 | 7 | 8 | 10 |
| 7 | West Brom | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 10 |
| 8 | Birmingham | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 10 |
| 9 | QPR | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 12 | -2 | 10 |
| 10 | Swansea | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 8 |
| 11 | Charlton | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 8 |
| 12 | Portsmouth | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 8 |
| 13 | Hull City | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 12 | -2 | 8 |
| 14 | Norwich City | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 7 |
| 15 | Wrexham | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 12 | -1 | 7 |
| 16 | Millwall | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 7 |
| 17 | Ipswich Town | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 6 |
| 18 | Blackburn Rovers | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 6 |
| 19 | Southampton | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 9 | -2 | 6 |
| 20 | Watford | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 5 |
| 21 | Derby County | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 12 | -4 | 5 |
| 22 | Sheffield Wednesday | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 12 | -7 | 4 |
| 23 | Oxford Utd | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 9 | -3 | 2 |
| 24 | Sheffield United | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 13 | -12 | 0 |
2025-26 EFL Championship Top Scorers and Statistical Leaders
Leading Goal Scorers (Current Season)
- Josh Sargent (Norwich City) – 5 goals in 5 games
- Haji Wright (Coventry City) – 5 goals in 5 games
- Carlton Morris (Derby County) – 4 goals in 5 games
- Victor Torp (Coventry City) – 4 goals in 5 games
- Kieffer Moore (Wrexham) – 4 goals in 5 games
Assist Leaders
- Milan van Ewijk (Coventry City) – 3 assists
- Sorba Thomas (Stoke City) – 3 assists
- Ross McCrorie (Bristol City) – 3 assists
- Michael Johnston (West Bromwich Albion) – 3 assists
Major Transfer Activity and New Signings
Biggest Summer Signings
Birmingham City made headlines with their ambitious recruitment:
- Kyogo Furuhashi – £10 million from Rennes (formerly Celtic)
- Jay Stansfield – Record signing continuing their promotion push
Derby County strengthened significantly:
- Carlton Morris – Undisclosed fee from Luton Town
- Patrick Agyemang – £6 million from Charlotte FC
- Ben Brereton Díaz – Loan from Southampton
Charlton Athletic invested heavily:
- Charlie Kelman – £3.5 million from Queens Park Rangers
- Thomas Kaminski – Undisclosed from Luton Town
Millwall secured their top target:
- Josh Coburn – £5 million from Middlesbrough
Key Storylines and Season Narrative
Promotion Favorites
Ipswich Town are widely tipped as promotion favorites, retaining much of their Premier League squad and adding strategic reinforcements. Leicester City and Southampton are also expected to challenge strongly despite potential points deductions looming over Leicester.
Sheffield United, despite their poor start with zero points from six games, remain dangerous given their experience and quality that saw them reach 90 points last season.
Championship Underdogs
Wrexham continue their fairy-tale journey under Hollywood ownership, with manager Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s investment showing on the pitch. Birmingham City represents another ambitious project with significant backing.
Notable Managerial Changes
The season features 11 new managers across the division, creating uncertainty and opportunity in equal measure. Chris Davies leads Birmingham’s promotion charge, while established coaches face pressure to deliver immediate results.
Notable Off-Field Developments
Celebrity Investments
Snoop Dogg made headlines by investing in Swansea City, adding star power to the Welsh club’s promotion ambitions. Meanwhile, Preston North End secured an unusual sponsorship deal with SpudBros, highlighting the creative commercial approaches clubs are taking.
Broadcast Coverage
The 2025-26 EFL Championship fixtures are now available live on the official site, offering fans unparalleled coverage. This expanded broadcasting deal highlights the increasing commercial appeal of English soccer’s second tier.
Playoff Race and European Qualification
The top six battle promises to be fierce, with traditional powerhouses like Leeds United‘s successors facing challenges from ambitious newcomers. The playoff system remains unchanged, with teams finishing 3rd-6th competing in semi-finals and a final at Wembley for the final promotion spot.
Current Top Six Contenders:
- Middlesbrough (currently leading)
- Leicester City (despite early inconsistency)
- Bristol City (impressive start)
- Stoke City (strong early form)
- Preston North End (solid foundation)
- Coventry City (attacking threat with Wright and Torp)
Relegation Battle
Sheffield United‘s shocking start with zero points from six games represents the season’s biggest surprise. The Blades, who accumulated 92 points last season, face an uphill battle that could define their immediate future.
Oxford United and Sheffield Wednesday also find themselves in early trouble, while promoted sides will need to adapt quickly to avoid an immediate return to League One.
Oxford United and Sheffield Wednesday also find themselves in early trouble, while promoted sides will need to adapt quickly to avoid an immediate return to League One.
2025-26 EFL Championship Season Predictions and Outlook
The 2025-26 EFL Championship promises to deliver the drama, unpredictability, and passion that make England’s second tier one of the world’s most compelling Soccer competitions.
With former Premier League giants aiming for an immediate comeback, ambitious newly promoted clubs, and seasoned Championship teams all competing fiercely, this season promises to be one of the most unforgettable in the division’s history.
The combination of significant transfer investment, managerial changes, and the expanded broadcast coverage ensures that the Championship continues to grow in stature and global appeal, setting the stage for an unforgettable campaign that will determine the next set of Premier League participants.
- Promotion Contenders: Ipswich Town, Leicester City, Southampton, Sheffield United (if they recover)
- Playoff Contenders: Birmingham City, Middlesbrough, Bristol City, Coventry City, Stoke City, Preston North End
- Relegation Candidates: Sheffield United (surprisingly), Oxford United, Sheffield Wednesday, Portsmouth