The EFL fixture release for the 2026-27 season arrives Thursday at 12:00 BST, bringing clarity to promotion and relegation outcomes. Fans can finally map out their calendars as the league confirms which clubs will compete across the three tiers next season.

Championship football welcomes three relegated Premier League sides: West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley. Lincoln City returns to the second tier after a 65-year absence, joining Bolton Wanderers and Cardiff City in making the step up. This represents significant turnover at the top of the pyramid.

Leicester City faces an unfamiliar third-tier campaign, competing in League One for just the second time in their 142-year existence following consecutive relegations. They join Oxford United and Sheffield Wednesday in the third division, with matches against newcomers Bromley and established sides MK Dons, Cambridge United and Notts County.

Exeter City, Port Vale, Rotherham United and Northampton Town complete the League Two lineup after dropping from League One. York City and Rochdale earn EFL returns after both accumulated over 100 points in the National League last season, securing their places among the 72 league clubs.