Who are the Championship promotion contenders for 2026-27?

This season is expected to provide all the thrills and drama that the Championship so often delivers, albeit with probably less spying this time around.

Ahead of the season, DAZN News have picked out five of the sides that will be vying it out at the top of the table, aiming to get that illustrious promotion to the Premier League.

West Ham United

• Last season: 18th (Premier League)

• Manager: Nuno Espírito Santo

• Key man: Jarrod Bowen

Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images

After a 14-year stay in the Premier League, the Hammers are back in the Championship and are favourites to win the title this year, with good reason.

They have moved on Matheus Fernandes and Crysensio Summerville for big money but have managed to keep hold of other key players, most notably captain Jarrod Bowen.

During his time in the Premier League, Bowen proved himself as one of the best forwards in England, and the London club will be reliant on him once again.

The incoming Manor Solomon provides an option out wide, and Joël Veltman on a free brings experience to the backline.

The Hammers will want to return to the Premier League instantly, and they certainly have the squad to do it.

 

Middlesbrough

• Last season: 5th

• Manager: Kim Hellberg

• Key man: Radek Vitek

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Middlesbrough's hearts were broken in the dying moments of last season, when they lost to Hull in the play-off final, but the North-East side will be up there once again.

This season, Boro will be without Hayden Hackney after his move to Everton, which is a big loss, but they have invested well.

Sebastian Berhalter comes in as a midfield option and his compatriot Max Arfsten is a good purchase at left-back.

Will Lankshear has also arrived from Tottenham after a strong loan with relegated Oxford in last season's Championship campaign.

But most importantly for Boro is the acquisition of Radek Vitek from Manchester United to replace Sol Brynn in between the sticks.

The big Czech was one of the Championship's best goalkeepers last season during his loan spell with Bristol City.

If the new blood can get firing quickly, Middlesbrough will be a real force this year.

 

Wolves

• Last season: 20th (Premier League)

• Manager: César Peixoto

• Key man: Raúl Jiménez​

Wolves had a dismal 2025-26 campaign as they finished rock bottom of the Premier League, but with a new manager at the helm, it is a fresh start for the club.

César Peixoto comes in as a bit of an unknown from Portuguese side Gil Vicente, replacing Rob Edwards after a difficult seven-month spell in the top-flight for the Englishman.

18-year-old Mateus Mané was one of few highlights for Wolves last season, and this year will be an important part of Peixoto's plans.

On the other end of the age spectrum, 35-year-olds Kieran Trippier and Raúl Jiménez both arrive on a free with prior experience of automatic promotion in the Championship.

Trippier was a runner-up with Burnley in 2013-14, and Jiménez won the Championship title in 2017-18 during his first spell with Wolves.

With the wealth of experience that Wolves have, they should be right in the mix.

 

Burnley

• Last season: 19th (Premier League)

• Manager: Nicky Hayen

• Key man: ​Zian Flemming

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The final side to head down from the Premier League on this list, Burnley will also be expecting to compete at the top of the table.

Unlike their fellow sides relegated from the top division, Burnley have lost a lot of their squad from last season.

Maxime Estève has joined RB Leipzig, Jaidon Anthony has headed to Brentford, Axel Tuanzebe and Martin Dúbravka's contracts expired, whilst Quilindschy Hartman and Lesley Ugochukwu have both gone out on loan.

With minimal incomings, it hasn't been an ideal summer for the Clarets, however, there is still quality amongst those that remain.

Hannibal has shown glimpses of quality and has a point to prove, whilst six-time Premier League champion Kyle Walker is a proven winner.

Burnley's main man will be Zian Flemming, the Dutchman scored 11 goals in the league last season and has a decent goalscoring record in the Championship with Burnley and Millwall.

Losing key men will be tough for Burnley, but with a few more additions, they will be right at the top.

Norwich

• Last season: 9th

• Manager: Philippe Clement

• Key man: Pelle Mattsson

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This may be a surprising addition to this list for some, but Norwich's form under boss Philippe Clement has been superb.

The Canaries had a tough start to the season and found themselves towards the bottom end of the table.

However, after Clement arrived in November, their form skyrocketed, even if it wasn't quite enough to get into the play-off spots.

Now with a full season under Clement ahead, Norwich may just find themselves fighting it out at the top end of the table.

This window, the Canaries haven't lost any of their big names, and Andre Brooks comes in to provide an exciting option out wide.

Pelle Mattsson and Kenny McLean worked brilliantly together in the heart of midfield last season and will be vital if Norwich are to make a promotion push this time round.

Automatic promotion may be a step too far for this Norwich side, but they should be in and around the play-off places.

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