In This Article

  • Historic Start for Wrexham and Birmingham
  • Promoted Teams Eye Strong Beginnings
  • Leicester City’s Return to the Championship
  • Other Key Fixtures
  • Rivalries Renewed
  • Ambitious Goals for Birmingham and Wrexham

Key Takeaways

  • Wrexham will face Southampton in their Championship debut on 9 August 2025.
  • Birmingham City will host Ipswich Town in their opening match on 8 August 2025.
  • Leicester City will start their Championship campaign against Sheffield Wednesday on 10 August 2025.
  • Historic rivalries such as Southampton vs Portsmouth and Ipswich Town vs Norwich City will be renewed.
  • Birmingham City and Wrexham have ambitious goals of reaching the Premier League.

Historic Start for Wrexham and Birmingham

The 2025-26 Championship season is set to begin with a bang as Wrexham, returning to the second tier after a 43-year absence, faces Southampton at St Mary's Stadium on Saturday, 9 August. Meanwhile, Birmingham City will open their campaign at home against Ipswich Town on Friday, 8 August, in what promises to be a thrilling start to the season.

Promoted Teams Eye Strong Beginnings

Both Birmingham City and Wrexham earned promotion from League One last season, with Birmingham setting an EFL record of 111 points. Wrexham, owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, achieved their third consecutive promotion, making their Championship debut a highly anticipated event.

Leicester City’s Return to the Championship

Leicester City, relegated from the Premier League after just one season, will begin their Championship campaign at home against Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday, 10 August. The Foxes, who secured the Championship title in 2023-24, face uncertainty over manager Ruud van Nistelrooy's future amid financial concerns.

Other Key Fixtures

Charlton Athletic, returning to the Championship after a five-year absence, will host Watford in their opening match. Sheffield United, who narrowly missed promotion after a play-off final defeat to Sunderland, will face Bristol City in a rematch of last season’s semi-final.

Rivalries Renewed

The season will also see the revival of several historic rivalries. The South Coast derby between Southampton and Portsmouth returns after a 13-year hiatus, while the East Anglian derby between Ipswich Town and Norwich City is back on the schedule. Additionally, Leicester City will face East Midlands rivals Derby County for the first time in 11 years.

Ambitious Goals for Birmingham and Wrexham

Birmingham City chairman Tom Wagner has set his sights on Premier League promotion, leveraging the club’s partnership with NFL legend Tom Brady. Meanwhile, Wrexham’s Hollywood owners have made no secret of their ambition to reach the top flight, adding an extra layer of intrigue to their Championship journey.

With a packed schedule and high-stakes matchups, the 2025-26 Championship season promises to deliver excitement, drama, and unforgettable moments for football fans worldwide.

Tags:

#Championship #Football #Wrexham #Birmingham City #Southampton