The 2026/27 Championship lineup has been confirmed
Preston North End supporters need no reminding of the last time they faced West Ham United in a competitive fixture.
Tomas Soucek of West Ham United and El Hadji Malick Diouf, Nuno Espirito Santo, Jarrod Bowenplaceholder image
Tomas Soucek of West Ham United and El Hadji Malick Diouf, Nuno Espirito Santo, Jarrod Bowen | Getty Images
In next season’s Championship, the Lilywhites will face the Hammers for the first time since May 30, 2005. That was the day Bobby Zamora crushed PNE hearts with his play-off final winner at the Millennium Stadium; Billy Davies’ Preston edged one-nil and denied a place in the Premier League.
Since then, PNE have spent 17 seasons in the second tier and four in League One. West Ham had six years of top flight football after that win in Wales, then just one season back in the Championship before 14 more years in the Premier League. The Hammers won on the final day but with Tottenham Hotspur taking care of their business, it meant relegation.
There have already been reports that manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, is set to leave the club immediately. Two names thrown into the mix are ex-player and former Burnley boss, Scott Parker, along with Gary O’Neil - who also represented the club in his playing days. It remains to be seen which first team players are picked off.
Elsewhere, Bolton Wanderers sealed their return to the Championship with a 4-1 thumping of Stockport County in the League One play-off final. That adds another local game to PNE’s calendar next season, with Burnley dropping back down as well. Wanderers were relegated in 2019 but Steven Schumacher has guided them back to the second tier.
In the Championship final, there was heartbreak for one ex-PNE man and ecstasy for another. Oli McBurnie scored the only goal between Hull City and Middlesbrough, to fire the former back into the top flight. Liam Millar celebrated promotion with the Tigers while Alan Browne and Boro suffered 94th minute agony.
Championship 2026/27 in full
Birmingham City
Blackburn Rovers
Bolton Wanderers
Bristol City
Burnley
Cardiff City
Charlton Athletic
Derby County
Lincoln City
Middlesbrough
Millwall
Norwich City
Portsmouth
Preston North End
Queens Park Rangers
Sheffield United
Southampton
Stoke City
Swansea City
Watford
West Brom
West Ham
Wolves
Wrexham
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