EFL 2026/27 opening weekend fixtures confirmed as Sky Sports unveils live coverage schedule
Sky Sports will show every match from the opening weekend of the EFL exclusively live, and up to 10 live EFL matches every week throughout the season.
Sky TV has confirmed where and when fans can enjoy fixtures in the EFL 2026/27 opening weekend.
Sky Sports will broadcast every EFL match from the opening weekend of the 2026/27 season live
Leicester City, Southampton and West Ham begin life back in the EFL under the spotlight
More than 1,000 EFL matches will be shown live across the season
Opening weekend coverage runs from Friday 14 August to Monday 17 August
Fans will receive TV fixture selections up to five months in advance
The 2026/27 EFL season will get underway with wall-to-wall live coverage on Sky Sports, with every match from the opening weekend set to be broadcast across its channels and streaming platforms.
A number of high-profile clubs will be beginning new chapters in the English Football League this season, including Leicester City, Southampton and West Ham, who all return to EFL competition following relegation from the Premier League. Their arrival is expected to add even more interest and quality to an already fiercely competitive campaign across the Championship, League One and League Two.
Leicester City’s first match back in the EFL will be shown live on Saturday 15 August as the Foxes travel to Notts County in one of six lunchtime kick-offs selected for coverage. Southampton also feature live on the opening weekend when they visit Watford on Sunday, while West Ham travel to Burnley later the same afternoon in a standout Championship fixture.
The season begins on Friday 14 August with Wolverhampton Wanderers hosting Blackburn Rovers at 8pm, before an action-packed Saturday schedule featuring clubs across all three divisions.
Among the notable fixtures selected for live coverage are Sheffield United against Birmingham City on Saturday evening and Cardiff City versus Wrexham on Monday night, a fixture likely to attract significant attention given Wrexham’s continued rise through the English football pyramid.
Sky Sports live EFL opening weekend fixtures
Friday 14 August
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Blackburn Rovers – 8pm
Saturday 15 August
Notts County vs Leicester City – 12.30pm
Bolton Wanderers vs Preston North End – 12.30pm
Reading vs Luton Town – 12.30pm
Oxford United vs Milton Keynes Dons – 12.30pm
Oldham Athletic vs Port Vale – 12.30pm
Newport County vs Rochdale – 12.30pm
York City vs Bristol Rovers – 3pm
Sheffield United vs Birmingham City – 5.30pm
Sunday 16 August
Watford vs Southampton – 1.30pm
Burnley vs West Ham – 4pm
Monday 17 August
Cardiff City vs Wrexham – 8pm
All remaining Championship, League One and League Two fixtures on the opening weekend will be available live via Sky Sports+.
The opening round is just the start of Sky Sports’ expanded EFL coverage. Under its long-term broadcast agreement, which runs until at least 2029, the broadcaster will show more than 1,000 live EFL matches during the 2026/27 campaign.
Every midweek league fixture will be televised live, alongside matches played on Bank Holidays, including Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and Easter. All League One and League Two fixtures staged during international breaks will also be shown live, while every game on the final day of the regular season will be available to viewers.
Regular broadcast slots throughout the season will include multiple Saturday lunchtime matches, frequent Friday night and Sunday afternoon fixtures, plus selected games on Thursday and Monday evenings.
The EFL has also confirmed an early fixture announcement schedule designed to help supporters plan travel and accommodation. Broadcast selections through to the end of September will be announced by 2 July, while all televised fixtures up to the FA Cup Third Round weekend in January 2027 will be confirmed before the new season kicks off.
Alongside its extensive live match coverage, Sky Sports will continue to provide dedicated EFL content across its digital platforms and social media channels as part of a season featuring more than 1,500 live domestic football matches across the Premier League, Women’s Super League, EFL and Scottish Premiership.
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