EFL fixtures for 2026-27 dropped on 25 June, and the schedule hasn’t wasted any time. The EFL derbies 2026-27 calendar is packed with grudge matches, long-awaited reunions, and regional rivalries fans haven’t enjoyed for years. Whether you follow the Championship, League One, or League Two, there’s plenty to look forward to.
Here are five derbies that stand out from the rest.
West Ham vs Millwall: EFL Derbies 2026-27 Don’t Get Bigger Than This
More than 14 years have passed since West Ham and Millwall last met in a competitive game. That wait finally ends this season. Millwall host the Hammers on 19 September, with the return at the London Stadium on 20 February. It will only be the eighth time these clubs have played each other this century.
An extraordinary rivalry stretches back over a hundred years to bitter disputes between rival dockworker communities in East and South London. Time apart hasn’t softened it one bit. On top of that, Millwall have never played at the London Stadium, so February’s visit is a genuine first.
West Ham won 2-1 at Upton Park when they last met in 2012. Since that defeat, Millwall went seven league games unbeaten. Expect the atmosphere at The Den in September to be ferocious. Our football news coverage has all the team news and build-up as the season approaches.
The Black Country Derby Returns After 14 Years Away
Wolves and West Brom meet in the Championship for the first time since 2008. Their fixture falls on 19 September, with the return at The Hawthorns on 20 February.
Their last meeting was an FA Cup tie in 2024. Even that produced volatile scenes, reminding the country exactly how much these fans dislike each other. In league terms, supporters haven’t seen them face off since West Brom put five past Wolves at Molineux back in 2012. That result still stings in the Black Country.
Relegation dropped Wolves out of the Premier League after a troubled campaign. West Brom earned their place in the second tier through the play-offs. Both clubs want promotion, so these two fixtures could carry enormous weight well beyond local pride.
Cardiff vs Swansea: One of the Best EFL Derbies 2026-27 Has to Offer
Cardiff’s promotion means the South Wales derby returns. Swansea host Cardiff on 28 November, with the reverse fixture at Cardiff City Stadium on 13 March.
Few matches in British football generate an atmosphere quite like this. Cardiff took the bragging rights in January 2025, winning 3-0 before their relegation. Swansea, though, can point to a remarkable two-season run. Between October 2021 and April 2023, they became the first side ever to beat Cardiff in both league derbies in a single campaign.
Sell-out crowds and needle-filled football are guaranteed. Sky Sports have confirmed this as one of the most anticipated fixtures of the new season. That’s a view shared across football, and you can read their full breakdown of the most exciting games to look forward to across all three EFL divisions.
Lancashire Rivals Back on Level Terms
Burnley dropped out of the Premier League. Bolton won promotion from League One. Together with Preston and Blackburn, that means four Lancashire clubs share the Championship this season. It’s been a very long time since that last happened.
Bolton vs Burnley is the standout pairing. More than a decade has passed since they last met in the league, having been separated by two divisions for years. All four clubs were founding members of the Football League in 1888, making up a third of the original 12. That shared history makes these fixtures feel like something special. You can check the full 2026-27 fixture schedule, including all Lancashire derby dates, in the Championship schedule published here.
Both clubs will have promotion in mind. Bolton vs Burnley is one EFL fans well outside Lancashire will want to keep track of this season.
Sheffield Wednesday vs Barnsley: The EFL Derbies 2026-27 Yorkshire Chapter
Sheffield Wednesday’s relegation from the Championship closes the Steel City derby for a season. Instead, the Owls drop into League One, where Barnsley are waiting. Hillsborough and Oakwell are only about 12 miles apart, so local pride matters just as much here.
Josh Windass scored in the 123rd minute at Wembley in the 2023 League One play-off final to send Wednesday up. Barnsley fans haven’t forgotten that night. Both sets of supporters will bring serious intensity when the sides meet on 21 November, with the reverse at Hillsborough on 20 March.
Beyond these five, League Two has its own compelling story this year. York City return to the EFL after a decade away. Their first home game at York Community Stadium will be a historic occasion. Full previews and coverage are available on our League Two hub.
This looks set to be one of the most exciting Football League seasons in years. A London rivalry 14 years in the making. A Welsh derby Cardiff and Swansea fans have been desperate for. Bolton and Burnley back on level terms after a decade apart. There are already plenty of dates worth circling.
