Burnley handed hardest possible start as 2026/27 fixtures released
Clarets handed toughest opening game possible
Burnley have been handed one of, if not the most difficult opponent on the opening weekend of the 2026/27 Championship campaign.
The Clarets will kick off the new season with a home clash against fellow relegated side West Ham, who are the overwhelming bookies’ favourites for the title.
The fixture will take place on Sunday, August 16 and will be televised live on Sky Sports, kicking off at 4pm.
Burnley lost home and away to the Hammers last season, 3-2 at the London Stadium and 2-0 at Turf Moor.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side finished 17 points above Burnley in 18th place, but missed out on survival by two points to Tottenham.
Burnley’s season will actually get underway the previous week, when they’ll be in Carabao Cup first round action. Their opponents will be decided later today when the first round draw takes place live on Sky Sports News at 4.30pm.
Following on from Burnley’s tricky opener, they’ll travel to West Brom for their first away game of the season.
Another away game follows at Norwich City, before back-to-back home games against Middlesbrough and Bristol City.
The Clarets will make the short trip to Bolton Wanderers on Boxing Day, before hosting Championship newcomers Lincoln City on December 29 and Sheffield United on New Year’s Day.
They’ll finish the campaign at Birmingham City on May 1.
The East Lancashire derbies, meanwhile, are scheduled for November 21 at Turf Moor and February 6 at Ewood Park.
Fixture list in full
August 16 - West Ham (H)
August 22 - West Brom (A)
August 29 - Norwich City (A)
September 2 - Middlesbrough (H)
September 5 - Bristol City (H)
September 9 - Wrexham (A)
September 12 - Swansea (A)
September 19 - Derby County (H)
October 10 - Watford (A)
October 13 - Charlton Athletic (H)
October 17 - Wolves (H)
October 24 - Lincoln City (A)
October 31 - Portsmouth (H)
November 3 - QPR (A)
November 7 - Cardiff City (A)
November 21 - Blackburn Rovers (H)
November 25 - Birmingham City (H)
November 28 - Millwall (A)
December 5 - Preston North End (H)
December 9 - Southampton (A)
December 12 - Sheffield United (A)
December 19 - Stoke City (H)
December 26 - Bolton Wanderers (A)
December 29 - Lincoln City (H)
January 1 - Sheffield United (H)
January 16 - Wolves (A)
January 23 - Portsmouth (A)
January 26 - QPR (H)
January 30 - Cardiff City (H)
February 6 - Blackburn Rovers (A)
February 13 - Swansea City (H)
February 16 - Charlton Athletic (A)
February 20 - Derby County (A)
February 27 - Watford (H)
March 2 - West Brom (H)
March 6 - West Ham (A)
March 13 - Millwall (H)
March 16 - Preston North End (A)
March 20 - Bolton Wanderers (H)
April 3 - Stoke City (A)
April 6 - Wrexham (H)
April 10 - Bristol City (A)
April 17 - Norwich City (H)
April 20 - Middlesbrough (A)
April 24 - Southampton (H)
May 1 - Birmingham City (A)