Next season’s Championship is poised to be another dramatic campaign in the second tier of English football.
The 2025/26 Championship is poised to be another exhilarating campaign in the second tier of English football.
Leicester City, Southampton, and Ipswich Town returned to the Championship following their relegation from the Premier League in place of the promoted trio of Leeds United, Burnley and Sunderland.
Cardiff City, Plymouth Argyle, and Luton Town were demoted from the second tier down into League One, with Birmingham City, Wrexham, and Charlton Athletic replacing them for the upcoming campaign.
As the summer transfer window rages on, EFL Analysis has delved into an early prediction for the 2025/26 Championship campaign, outlining the early contenders for promotion and relegation.
Photo by FRED TANNEAU/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by FRED TANNEAU/AFP via Getty Images
EFL Analysis exclusively revealed last week that Will Still was set to take the Southampton job, and his move from RC Lens to the recently-relegated club has since been confirmed.
Still told Southampton’s media: “There is huge potential here and we have a great opportunity to do something special.
“I’m eager to get to work this summer and start building a close-knit group that can make everyone proud and ultimately get us back to where we belong: in the Premier League.”
Still’s coaching pedigree has continued to grow, following his singular season as Lens’ head coach, and the 32-year-old could take Southampton back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
Early predictions for the promotion contenders, alongside Southampton, include Ipswich Town and Birmingham City.
Ipswich’s squad is brimming with talent, including former Sunderland winger Jack Clarke, who can redeem himself next season and who will dominate the second tier next season as Kieran McKenna’s side target an instant return to the Premier League.
The Blues have been backed by many to complete back-to-back promotions, given the eye-watering sum of money Birmingham can offer new signings, as the club targets the likes of Peterborough’s Kwame Poku.
With Leicester facing a points deduction next season, and with club legend Jamie Vardy departing, it could prove difficult for the Foxes to earn promotion in the upcoming campaign.
Photo by James Baylis - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by James Baylis – AMA/Getty Images
Early 2025/26 Championship predictions for relegation to League One
Given their financial muscle, big-hitters Wrexham and Birmingham will be safe from instant demotion back to League One, but it is difficult to say the same for Charlton Athletic.
The Addicks secured victory in the League One play-off final against Leyton Orient, which saw Nathan Jones’ gamble pay off.
However, the discrepancy in quality and financial might could prove too difficult for Charlton to contend with next term, cementing the Addicks as early contenders for relegation in the upcoming season.
Hull City flirted with relegation throughout the 24/25 Championship campaign, and Tigers fans are still unaware who the next manager will be as owner Acun Ilicali narrows down his search.
If that appointment is not 100 percent correct, in the wake of Ruben Selles’ shock sacking, third tier demotion disaster could loom for Hull next season.
Preston North End endured a nervous end to the campaign as relegation was a real threat for Paul Heckingbottom’s side, but they managed to finish one point above Hull in 20th place.
With former Sunderland target Emil Riis Jakobsen set to depart Preston, having scored 12 goals in 29 starts for Preston in the recent season, his absence could spell relegation to League One next term alongside Charlton and Hull.