West Ham United are back at London Stadium for the 2026-27 season – this time in the EFL Championship. The club, the ground, the walk through Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the smell of east London on a match day: none of that changes. What changes is the opposition.
The Championship is England’s second tier and one of the most competitive football leagues in the world. Burnley, Wrexham, Sheffield United, Norwich City, Millwall – these are not small clubs. The fixtures are different, the atmosphere is different, and for West Ham United supporters who have followed the club through every era, there is something honest about Championship football: no television timeout culture, no foreign oligarchs, just football.
This is your complete guide to West Ham United’s 2026-27 Championship season – the key fixtures, how to plan a match day, and how to make the most of everything Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park has to offer around it.
West Ham United in the Championship 2026-27
The EFL Championship season runs from August 2026 through to May 2027, with forty-six league fixtures across the season – twenty-three home, twenty-three away. West Ham also enter the EFL Cup (Carabao Cup) and the FA Cup, with home ties at London Stadium when the draw falls right.
West Ham are one of the Championship’s top-resourced sides and are widely expected to challenge at the promotion end of the table throughout the season. That means London Stadium will be hosting some of the season’s biggest Championship fixtures – and for neutral fans as well as Hammers supporters, this is a season worth attending.
All West Ham United home fixtures at London Stadium 2026-27
Every confirmed home fixture at London Stadium for the 2026-27 season. Kick-off times are subject to change for TV selection – check the official West Ham and EFL websites closer to each date.
August 2026
8 August – Portsmouth (Carabao Cup First Round, London Stadium)
22 August – Charlton Athletic (Championship, London Stadium) – first league home game
September 2026
1 September – Wolverhampton Wanderers (Championship, London Stadium)
5 September – Derby County (Championship, London Stadium)
11 September – Wrexham (Championship, London Stadium)
October 2026
10 October – Queens Park Rangers (Championship, London Stadium)
24 October – Southampton (Championship, London Stadium)
31 October – West Bromwich Albion (Championship, London Stadium)
November 2026
21 November – Preston North End (Championship, London Stadium)
28 November – Stoke City (Championship, London Stadium)
December 2026
8 December – Middlesbrough (Championship, London Stadium)
12 December – Bristol City (Championship, London Stadium)
26 December – Norwich City (Championship, London Stadium) – Boxing Day fixture
January 2027
16 January – Swansea City (Championship, London Stadium)
27 January – Cardiff City (Championship, London Stadium)
30 January – Blackburn Rovers (Championship, London Stadium)
February 2027
16 February – Lincoln City (Championship, London Stadium)
20 February – Millwall (Championship, London Stadium) – the east London derby
March 2027
6 March – Burnley (Championship, London Stadium)
17 March – Sheffield United (Championship, London Stadium)
April 2027
3 April – Birmingham City (Championship, London Stadium)
6 April – Bolton Wanderers (Championship, London Stadium)
17 April – Watford (Championship, London Stadium)
May 2027
1 May – Portsmouth (Championship, London Stadium) – final home game of the regular season
Note: FA Cup home draws will be added when confirmed. Kick-off times listed on the official West Ham United and EFL websites.
The West Ham United fixtures to circle in your diary
Charlton Athletic – August 22, 2026
The first Championship home game of the season. (The season’s first home game at London Stadium is the Carabao Cup first round against Portsmouth on 8 August, but Charlton on 22 August is the league opener.) Charlton have serious EFL history of their own and a passionate away following. Getting to London Stadium early and settling in properly before this one is worth doing.
Millwall – February 20, 2027
The one everyone is talking about. West Ham versus Millwall is one of English football’s oldest and most intense rivalries – and for the first time in the modern era, Millwall will come to London Stadium for the return fixture in February 2027. The away leg is at The Den on 19 September 2026. The home leg at London Stadium on 20 February will be one of the most significant local derbies in east London for years. Book early for this one. Book very early.
Norwich City – Boxing Day, December 26, 2026
Boxing Day football is one of English football’s finest traditions – families together, post-Christmas, afternoon kick-off, London Stadium packed. Norwich City are the visitors for West Ham’s Boxing Day fixture in 2026-27. The kind of match day that makes you glad you followed the team.
Sheffield United – March 17, 2027
Sheffield United are one of the Championship’s biggest clubs by support base and were relegated from the Premier League themselves. This is a fixture that should produce a full London Stadium and a real occasion.
Portsmouth – May 1, 2027
The final home game of the regular season. Depending on where West Ham stand in the table, this could be a promotion party, a playoff push decider, or a match that already has everything settled. Historically the last home game of a Championship season carries real emotion either way.
West Ham United Match day at London Stadium: what you need to know
London Stadium sits within Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, which means the match day experience is unlike most Championship grounds. You’re not arriving into a city centre car park or a terraced street – you’re walking through one of London’s most significant public spaces, with the park’s waterways and bridges around you, before arriving at one of England’s largest football stadiums.
London Stadium holds 62,500 for football matches – far larger than most Championship venues. For big fixtures like the Millwall derby, the atmosphere will be something different.
Getting to London Stadium
Public transport is strongly recommended for all match days. The key options:
- Stratford station (Elizabeth line, Jubilee line, Central line, DLR, Overground, National Rail) – the main hub for most supporters. From here it’s a fifteen-minute walk through Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to the stadium.
- West Ham station (Hammersmith & City and District lines) – closer to the stadium entrance and ideal if you’re coming from central or west London via those lines.
- Driving on match days is not recommended. The park has restricted vehicle access and significant congestion around kick-off times.
Before the West Ham United match – Draughts London Stratford
If you’re arriving early – and for big Championship fixtures, arriving early is the right call – here’s where to spend the time properly.
Draughts London Stratford is at 5 Aquatics Walk, inside Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, a short walk from London Stadium. We’re a bar, restaurant and board game café with over 1,000 games. Proper food and drinks served to the table, no time pressure, and the right place to settle in before a match day.
Whether you’re coming from the other end of the country for the Millwall game, bringing the family for Boxing Day football, or just making a mid-week Championship fixture into a proper evening – Draughts is where the pre-match build-up works. Book a table in advance, particularly for the bigger fixtures and weekend games.
Tips for the 2026-27 Championship season at London Stadium
- Book Draughts in advance for big fixtures – the Millwall home game in February will be particularly busy in the park all day.
- For the Charlton home game on August 22 – the first Championship match at London Stadium – arrive early. The Carabao Cup vs Portsmouth on August 8 is the first home game of the season if you want to go even earlier.
- Boxing Day is a family favourite – London Stadium, the park, and Draughts is a complete day out. Book the table before Christmas.
- The Championship season runs into May – playoff football is a possibility. The playoff semi-finals and final happen in late May and can add unexpected excitement to the end of the season.
- Check London Stadium’s bag policy before you travel – it applies the same for Championship matches as Premier League.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are West Ham in the Championship for 2026-27?
Yes. West Ham United are competing in the EFL Championship for the 2026-27 season. Their home matches are at London Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford. The Championship season runs from August 2026 to May 2027.
When is West Ham’s first home game of the Championship season?
West Ham’s first home game of the 2026-27 Championship season is against Charlton Athletic on August 22, 2026 at London Stadium.
When do West Ham play Millwall in the Championship?
West Ham play Millwall twice in the 2026-27 Championship season. The away fixture at The Den is in September 2026. The home fixture at London Stadium is in February 2027 – the first time Millwall have played at London Stadium in competitive football. It is one of the most anticipated fixtures of the season.
Is London Stadium used for Championship matches?
Yes. London Stadium remains West Ham United’s home ground for the 2026-27 Championship season. The ground capacity for football is 62,500 – one of the largest in England at any level. The match day experience, transport links and surrounding park remain the same.
How do I get to London Stadium for a Championship match?
Stratford station (Elizabeth line, Jubilee, Central, DLR, Overground and National Rail) is the main hub – a fifteen-minute walk through Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to the stadium. West Ham station (Hammersmith & City and District lines) puts you closer to the ground. Public transport is strongly recommended. Driving on match days is not advisable.
What Championship clubs will play at London Stadium in 2026-27?
West Ham’s 2026-27 Championship home fixtures include Charlton Athletic (opening home game, August 22), Millwall (February 2027 – the east London derby), Norwich City (Boxing Day), Cardiff City, Blackburn Rovers, Portsmouth and all other EFL Championship clubs. The full fixture list is available on the West Ham United and EFL websites.
Is West Ham vs Millwall in the Championship a local derby?
Yes. West Ham versus Millwall is one of English football’s most intense local rivalries, historically rooted in the proximity of the two clubs and the communities around the old Boleyn Ground and The Den. The February 2027 home fixture at London Stadium will be the first time Millwall have played there in competitive football. It is expected to be one of the biggest Championship fixtures of the season.
What is there to do near London Stadium before a West Ham Championship match?
Draughts London Stratford at 5 Aquatics Walk, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is the best pre-match option. A bar, restaurant and board game café inside the park itself – over 1,000 games, food and drinks served to your table. Book in advance for big Championship fixtures, particularly the Millwall home game in February and the Boxing Day fixture against Norwich City.
What is the difference between Championship and Premier League football at London Stadium?
The ground is the same and the match day transport and logistics are identical. The Championship brings a different set of opponents – many with strong supporter cultures and passionate away followings – and a slightly different pace to the football. The season is longer (46 games vs 38), the relegation and promotion narratives are different, and in a close Championship season the drama runs across the full eight months. For neutral visitors to Stratford, a big Championship game at London Stadium is an excellent day out.
When does the Championship season end in 2026-27?
The EFL Championship regular season runs until May 2027. The top two clubs win automatic promotion. Clubs finishing third to sixth enter the Championship playoffs, with the playoff final at Wembley in late May 2027. If West Ham are in the playoff picture, the final weeks of the season will carry significant drama.
Where can I check West Ham’s Championship fixtures for 2026-27?
The full fixture list is available at whufc.com and on the EFL’s official website. Key home dates to note: Charlton Athletic on August 22 (first Championship home game – the Carabao Cup vs Portsmouth at London Stadium on August 8 is the first home fixture of the season), Millwall in February 2027 (home derby at London Stadium), Norwich City on Boxing Day, and Portsmouth in May 2027 (final home game of the regular season).
