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The Championship 2026 — Odds, Facts & Betting Guide
Expected August 2026 · England, United Kingdom
Exact dates have not yet been confirmed by the organisers. This page will be updated as soon as they are.
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The EFL Championship is the second tier of English football and one of the most competitive and unpredictable leagues in the world. The 2026–27 season is expected to begin in early August 2026, with the season climaxing in the lucrative play-off final at Wembley the following May.
Famous for its relentless 46-game schedule and tight margins, the Championship sustains heavy betting interest all season — on the title, on automatic promotion, on the play-offs and on the relegation fight.
Where to find the latest odds
All odds are indicative only and subject to change. New customers only. T&Cs apply. 18+.
The Championship: fast facts
- The Championship is the second tier of English football, below the Premier League.
- Each club plays 46 league games — more than the Premier League's 38.
- The top two are automatically promoted; teams finishing 3rd to 6th enter the play-offs.
- The play-off final at Wembley is often called the richest single match in world football due to the value of Premier League promotion.
- Coventry City and Ipswich Town were promoted as champions and runners-up in recent seasons.
- The league is renowned for its unpredictability, with few truly dominant sides.
Past winners
| Year | Winner | Key detail |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Coventry City | Promoted as champions |
| 2025 | Leeds United | Won the title and promotion |
| 2024 | Leicester City | Champions at the first attempt after relegation |
| 2023 | Burnley | Romped to the title under Vincent Kompany |
| 2022 | Fulham | Scored a record number of goals |
| 2021 | Norwich City | Champions and promoted |
| 2020 | Leeds United | Promoted under Marcelo Bielsa |
| 2019 | Norwich City | Won the title and promotion |
| 2018 | Wolves | Dominant champions under Nuno |
| 2017 | Newcastle United | Champions at the first attempt after relegation |
How to bet on The Championship
The Championship's competitiveness is its defining betting feature: title and promotion markets rarely have a runaway favourite, so value is easier to find than in the Premier League. Outright, top-two and top-six markets all attract heavy interest.
Across 46 games, match betting, both-teams-to-score and over/under goals are the staples. The league's unpredictability makes it well suited to those who follow form closely rather than relying on reputation.
It's a long, gruelling season where momentum shifts fast. Pace your betting across the campaign, study form over reputation, and never stake more than you can comfortably afford on a league this volatile.
Popular markets
- Title winner
- Automatic promotion (top two)
- Play-off finish (top six)
- Relegation
- Top goalscorer
- Match result (1X2)
The Championship 2026: your questions answered
When does the Championship 2026-27 season start?
The 2026–27 EFL Championship is expected to begin in early August 2026. Exact fixture dates are confirmed on the EFL fixture release and this page will be updated.
How many games are in a Championship season?
Each club plays 46 league games across the season.
How does promotion from the Championship work?
The top two are automatically promoted to the Premier League. Teams finishing 3rd to 6th enter the play-offs, with the final at Wembley deciding the third promotion spot.
Why is the play-off final called the richest game in football?
Winning it secures promotion to the Premier League, worth well over £100 million in increased revenue to the winning club.
Who won the Championship in 2026?
Coventry City were promoted as Championship winners in 2025–26.