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Middlesbrough vs Lincoln City match

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The gist

Middlesbrough host Lincoln City in the Championship opener on Aug 15, 2026. Lincoln return to the second tier for the first time in 65 years.

Background

This is the first meeting between Middlesbrough and Lincoln City since April 1961. Lincoln City won the League One title last season with a 29-game unbeaten run, while Middlesbrough finished as beaten play-off finalists. Both teams started their campaigns with wins in the EFL Cup.

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 1961Last meeting between the clubs: Lincoln won 5-2 at Sincil Bank in the second tier.
  2. Mar 1959Lincoln's only previous Football League win at Middlesbrough, a 2-1 victory.
  3. recentlyLincoln won at Derby in the EFL Cup first round; Middlesbrough beat Wrexham 1-0.
  4. Aug 15, 2026Middlesbrough host Lincoln City at the Riverside Stadium in the Championship opener, kicking off at 15:00 BST.

Who’s saying what

Official
Lincoln City's Liam Shaw said: 'We got 103 points last season... we'll be perceived as the underdog, but we won't play like it.'

Sources

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