EFL Championship news
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The gist
Wolverhampton Wanderers host Blackburn Rovers in the EFL Championship opener at Molineux on Friday. The expanded top-eight playoffs give more clubs a shot at Premier League promotion.
Background
The 2026/27 EFL Championship season begins, with 24 teams competing for three automatic promotion spots to the Premier League. A major change this season is the expansion of the playoffs from top-six to top-eight, offering more clubs a chance at promotion. Wolverhampton, relegated from the Premier League last season, aims for an immediate return, while Blackburn, who finished 20th last season, seeks improvement under returning manager Tony Mowbray.
How it unfolded
- May 2026Championship clubs voted to introduce a squad cost ratio (SCR) for the 2026-27 season, replacing the previous Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
- Aug 12, 2026ESPN previews the season opener between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers, noting Wolves' relegation and Blackburn's narrow escape from relegation last season.
- Aug 14, 2026The EFL Championship season kicks off with Wolverhampton Wanderers hosting Blackburn Rovers at Molineux Stadium, with kickoff at 3 p.m. ET.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- The expanded top-eight playoffs increase opportunities for promotion, potentially benefiting clubs with financial clout like Wrexham and Birmingham.
- Caution
- The Championship is notoriously difficult to escape, with recent examples of Luton and Leicester facing relegation to League One after dropping down.
Still unverified
The specific impact of the new SCR rules on individual clubs' spending is not yet clear, as it is a new regulation.