Championship Chaos Returns: Wolves and Blackburn Kick Off 2026/27 Season at Molineux
, by Bradley Strevens, 2 min reading time
The 2026/27 EFL Championship season kicks off as Wolves host Blackburn at Molineux. Get the full match preview, team news, and broadcast details for Friday's opener.
The long summer wait is finally over. English football's most unpredictable marathon returns this Friday, August 14, as Wolverhampton Wanderers host Blackburn Rovers under the Molineux lights to launch the 2026/27 Sky Bet EFL Championship season.
With 46 rounds of relentless action ahead, Friday's curtain-raiser sets the stage for a campaign packed with high stakes, fresh managerial eras, and immediate promotion ambitions.
🐺 Wolves Target Immediate Premier League Return
Following their relegation from the Premier League, Wolverhampton Wanderers enter the new campaign as one of the title favourites. It marks the beginning of a fresh era at Molineux, with Portuguese manager César Peixoto taking charge of his first official Championship match after replacing Rob Edwards earlier this summer.
Wolves have been active in reshaping their squad for the grueling second-tier calendar:
-
Key Additions: Experienced defender Kieran Trippier and returning fan-favourite striker Raúl Jiménez have joined to add proven leadership and fire-power.
-
Team News: Goalkeeper Sam Johnstone is sidelined with an injury, putting Daniel Bentley in line to start between the posts, while attacking midfielder Fer López has overcome a pre-season knock.
🌹 Blackburn Rovers Aim to Shock the Hosts
For Tony Mowbray and Blackburn Rovers, Friday night presents an immediate opportunity to send a signal to the rest of the league. After battling near the bottom of the table last season, Rovers are eager to turn the page with a strong showing away from home.
-
Squad Situation: Blackburn arrive in the Midlands carrying several injury concerns, with key defenders Scott Wharton and Mathias Jørgensen unavailable.
-
Players to Watch: Young talents like Jayden Fevrier—who impressed in pre-season friendlies—alongside academy graduates Jake Garrett and Tom Atcheson could feature prominently at Molineux.
📺 Match Details & How to Watch
-
Fixture: Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Blackburn Rovers
-
Date & Time: Friday, August 14, 2026 at 8:00 PM BST
-
Venue: Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton
-
Broadcast: Live on Sky Sports Football / Sky Sports+
This fixture leads off a blockbuster opening weekend in which all 36 EFL matches across the Championship, League One, and League Two will be broadcast live.