Complete List Of EFL Championship Teams In Alphabetical Order In The 2025/26 Season

This is the complete list of Championship teams in alphabetical order in the 2025-2026 season.

The English Football League Championship, known as the Championship, is the second-highest division in English football, and it’s contested by 24 clubs, with Burnley being the latest winner.

Since 2004, 56 teams have spent time in the Championship, including 13 from the current Premier League season. Cardiff City has the longest stay with 18 seasons, while Ipswich Town’s 15-year stint (2004-2019) is the longest consecutive run.

Also, Birmingham City holds the current record with 13 consecutive seasons, while Norwich City has had six separate Championship spells.

Moreso, thirteen different teams have won the Championship, with Burnley and Norwich City winning twice. In less than no time at all,

However, here’s the complete list of English Football League Championship Teams in alphabetical order that are participating in the 2025/2026 season:

Birmingham City
Blackburn Rovers
Bristol City
Charlton Athletic
Coventry City
Derby County
Hull City
Ipswich Town
Leicester City
Middlesbrough
Millwall
Norwich City
Oxford United
Portsmouth
Preston North End
Queens Park Rangers
Sheffield United
Sheffield Wednesday
Southampton
Stoke City
Swansea City
Watford
West Bromwich Albion
Wrexham

1. Birmingham City

Birmingham City Football Club started as Small Heath Alliance in 1875, went through a few name changes, and settled as Birmingham City in 1943. Currently competing in the EFL Championship since 2011 with a beautiful history.

They were the first champions of the Football League Second Division. And one of their special moments was in the 1950s and early 1960s, hitting sixth place in the First Division and winning the League Cup twice.

2. Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn Rovers was established in 1875 and became a member of The Football League in 1888. Looking back in the 19th century, they won five FA Cup titles in 1884, 1885, 1886, 1890, and 1891.

They were also English League champions in 1911–12 and 1913–14, adding another FA Cup in 1928. There were challenges like relegation in 1936, but they bounced back as Second Division champs in 1938–39, and are currently competing in the EFL.

3. Bristol City

Bristol City Football Club is currently doing its thing in the EFL Championship, making Ashton Gate its home since 1904. It all began in 1894 while playing in the Southern League and Western League, even being crowned Western League champs in 1897–98, before jumping into the Football League in 1901, snatching the Second Division title in 1905–06.

4. Charlton Athletic

Charlton Athletic F.C. is a football club from south-east London that plays in the EFL Championship for the 2025/26 season. The team’s home is The Valley, where they have played since 1919, and their nickname is “The Addicks.”

Founded in 1905, Charlton turned professional in 1920 and built a history that includes winning the FA Cup in 1947. They have also enjoyed time in the Premier League, most notably during the late 1990s and early 2000s under manager Alan Curbishley.

Over the years, the club faced financial struggles and relegations, but in 2025, Charlton returned to the Championship after winning promotion through the play-offs.

5. Coventry City

Coventry City Football Club was initially called Singers F.C. in 1883, developing into Coventry City in 1898. Winning titles and promotions, like the Third Division South champions in 1935–36, and later moving up to play top-flight football under Jimmy Hill’s leadership.

They have been in the Premier League, even winning the FA Cup in 1987 against Tottenham Hotspur, with relegations and EFL Trophy success in 2017.

Mark Robins, their manager, led them to victories, earning them promotions and a strong League One performance. In 2020, they zoomed back to the EFL Championship as League One champions. They even got to the play-off final in the 2022–23 season.

6. Derby County F.C.

Derby County F.C. will compete in the EFL Championship for the 2025/26 season after winning promotion as runners-up in the 2023/24 campaign, a year in which they achieved their highest points total in history. The club has gone through a period of change both on and off the pitch.

In late 2024, reports suggested owner David Clowes had entered discussions with potential investors about selling a majority stake in the club, with several parties expressing interest.

On the field, Derby struggled in early 2025, suffering a run of seven consecutive defeats. This led to the dismissal of Paul Warne as manager. Soon after, former player John Eustace was appointed head coach.

7. Hull City

In 1904, Hull City Association Football Club was established during an era when rugby was the talk of the town. They started with friendly games since joining the league was tough.

Their very first real game was in the FA Cup; even though they didn’t win, they had some home issues, but later found a cool cricket ground to play on. However, in 1905-1906, they finally joined the league, facing big teams like Manchester United.

8. Ipswich Town

Ipswich Town Football Club was once an amateur side in 1878, but became serious in 1888 when they joined a rugby club. They made their mark, winning local cups and joining various leagues, even turned professional in 1936 and joined the Southern League, where they dominated.

In 1938, they entered the Football League and impressed in the Third Division South. They were winners and got promoted to the Second Division IN 1954.

9. Leicester City F.C

Leicester City F.C. will play in the EFL Championship for the 2025/26 season after being relegated from the Premier League in April 2025. This was their second drop in three years, showing a difficult period for the club after recent top-flight success.

Off the pitch, Leicester faced financial issues, including charges for breaching league rules in both the Premier League and the Championship. These cases are related to profit and sustainability regulations. Managerial changes also added to the turbulence.

In June 2025, Ruud van Nistelrooy left his role by mutual agreement. A month later, Martí Cifuentes was appointed on a three-year contract, tasked with leading Leicester back to stability and pushing for a return to the Premier League.

10. Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough Football Club was one of the founding members of the Premier League in 1992, and today, they are competing in the EFL in the 2023/2024 season.

They faced a tough start, being one of the first to get relegated after the 1992–93 season. Even though they were on the brink of folding in 1986 due to money troubles, fortunately, they were saved by a group led by Steve Gibson, who later became chairman.

11. Millwall

Millwall Football Club is known for its historic achievements. They recorded an incredible streak of 59 home games without a defeat from 1964 to 1967, led by managers Billy Gray and Benny Fenton.

They faced 55 different opponents, notching 43 wins and 16 draws, all thanks to super players’ performances with the likes of Barry Rowan, Alex Stepney, Hugh Curran, and Len Julians.

In the early 1970s, the “Class of ’71” narrowly missed Division One promotion by just one point. They were unbeaten at home throughout different divisions, including Division Two in 1971–72, and Millwall displayed their might. George Graham’s era saw more triumphs, with a Football League Group Cup win in 1982–83 and an FA Cup quarter-final appearance in 1984–85.

12. Norwich City

Norwich City has had an exciting presence in the EFL Championship since its formation in 1902. Norwich boasts two League Cup victories, won in 1962 and 1985.

They recorded an amazing position in the Premier League’s 1992–93 season, finishing in third place. They were so impressive in that era that they even moved into the UEFA Cup in 1993–94, taking down Germany’s Bayern Munich on their home turf.

13. Oxford United F.C

Oxford United F.C. returned to the EFL Championship in the 2023–24 season after a long wait of 25 years. They secured promotion, winning the play-off final against Bolton Wanderers with a 2–0 victory.

The club had been pushing for progress in earlier seasons, even reaching the play-offs, but falling short. In 2021–22, Oxford were among the highest scorers in their league and finished just outside the promotion places.

Around this period, the club’s ownership also changed, with Indonesian businessmen Erick Thohir and Anindya Bakrie taking greater control, while Grant Ferguson stepped in as chairman.

14. Portsmouth F.C.

Portsmouth F.C., also known as Pompey, is competing in the EFL Championship for the 2025/26 season. The club was bought in 2017 by The Tornante Company, led by former Disney executive Michael Eisner, after a vote by the Pompey Supporters’ Trust.

Following years of rebuilding, Portsmouth began to re-establish itself in English football.

They enjoyed success in cup competitions, winning the EFL Trophy in 2019 against Sunderland, although they later lost the delayed 2020 final to Salford City.

Despite several near misses in the play-offs, they won League One as champions in the 2023/24 season. That title ended 12 years away from the second tier, securing their long-awaited Championship return.

15. Preston North End

Preston North End made a blazing start, winning both the inaugural league championship and the FA Cup in the 1888–89 season. This saw remarkable achievements in the history of English football, as they secured the “Double” and their name as “The Invincibles,” staying unbeaten throughout the season.

They continued with another league championship win in 1889–90, and the 1938 FA Cup Final victory against Huddersfield Town. While the team was often a fixture in the First Division until 1961, relegation after the 1960–61 season set them on a different path. Spending the majority of the last five decades in the lower tiers of the Football League, with 28 of the 49 seasons since 1970 in these divisions.

16. Queens Park Rangers

Queens Park Rangers started conquering the West London League in the 1898–99 season, and the team’s incredible performances moved them into both the Southern League and Western League, where they won titles and earned a spot in the Football League in 1920.

After years in the Third Division South, QPR became champions in 1947–48 and secured their promotion. Although they experienced a brief relegation in 1952, they bounced back, winning the Third Division and League Cup in the 1966–67 season.

The 1967–68 season saw another promotion, only to be followed by relegation from the First Division. After a while, they came back into the public eye in 1972–73, clinching promotion once again.

In 1975–76, they narrowly missed out on the English football championship, finishing a point behind Liverpool. Also, they made it to the FA Cup final in 1982, losing out to Tottenham Hotspur after a replay.

17. Sheffield United F.C

Sheffield United F.C. is also competing in the 2025/26 EFL Championship after a turbulent few years. The club has experienced changes in ownership, court disputes, promotions, and relegations.

Though they enjoyed a strong return to the Premier League in 2019, finishing ninth, they later struggled financially and on the pitch. After relegation in 2021, Paul Heckingbottom took charge and eventually guided the team back to the top flight, only for another relegation to follow in 2024 after a record-breaking season for goals conceded.

Back in the Championship, they finished third in 2024/25 but lost in the play-off final to Sunderland. In June 2025, Chris Wilder’s contract ended, but he was reappointed in September on a two-year deal to lead the Blades again.

18. Sheffield Wednesday

Sheffield Wednesday was established in 1868, and it is one of the world’s oldest football clubs and the second-oldest professional association football club in England.

The team achieved early success, winning the Cromwell Cup in 1868. Wednesday’s incredible journey led them to become founding members and inaugural champions of the Football Alliance in 1889.

Three years later, they earned a place in The Football League and became a founder member of the Premier League in 1992. The team has secured an impressive collection of titles, including four league championships, three FA Cups, one League Cup, and one FA Community Shield.

They have once competed in UEFA Cup competitions and notably reached the quarter-finals of the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1963. In 1991, they defeated Manchester United in the Football League Cup final, making them the last to secure a major English football trophy outside the top flight.

19. Southampton FC

Southampton Football Club was founded by members of the St. Mary’s Church of England Young Men’s Association in 1885. They were initially known as St. Mary’s Y.M.A.

Moving forward, the club’s name evolved from St. Mary’s Young Men’s Association F.C. to St. Mary’s F.C. and finally to Southampton St. Mary’s soon after joining the Southern League in 1894.

They won the Southern League title in 1896–97, prompting the club’s transformation into a limited company and its renaming as Southampton F.C. During this time, the team experienced a triumphant era as they won the Southern League championship consecutively in 1897, 1898, 1899, 1901, 1903, and 1904. This period coincided with a move to The Dell, a £10,000 stadium constructed in 1898.

20. Stoke City

Stoke City’s history is filled with triumphs, setbacks, and special moments, tracing the club’s legacy back to 1888 when it was one of the twelve founding members of the Football League.

Although they faced re-election challenges in 1890, they secured the 1890–91 Football Alliance title. The club saw relegation from the First Division in 1907 and a subsequent period of financial disruption.

However, the 1920s were better; they fought through relegations and finally secured a promotion. They recorded lots of success in the 1930s with the Second Division title in 1932–33 and a strong presence in the top flight for two decades. Also in the 1970s and 1980s, Stoke won the League Cup and recorded a notable appearance in the top division.

21. Swansea City A.F.C

Swansea City A.F.C. is part of the EFL Championship in the 2025/26 season with a refreshed leadership and growing ambitions. In November 2024, the club’s majority stake changed hands, with American businessmen Andy Coleman, Brett Cravatt, and Jason Cohen, together with British investor Nigel Morris, taking control.

Soon after, Real Madrid star Luka Modrić and U.S. rapper Snoop Dogg joined the ownership group, bringing global visibility to Swansea. On the touchline, Alan Sheehan stepped in as head coach after proving himself as a caretaker manager.

With new investment, international influence, and renewed confidence, Swansea look to establish stability in the Championship and aim for a pathway back to the Premier League.

22. Watford F.C

Watford was fantastic under Graham Taylor from 1977 to 1987. Rising from the fourth tier, they achieved a second-place finish in the First Division during the 1982–83 season, which also included competing in the UEFA Cup in 1983–84 and reaching the 1984 FA Cup Final.

The club then experienced the worst side of the game from 1987 to 1997, but it took another great turn under another Taylor. He guided the team through successive promotions from the Second Division, and, good enough, they secured a Premier League promotion in the 1999–2000 season.

Then, in 2019, Watford made their second FA Cup final appearance but faced a tough loss. The club got back to the Premier League in April 2021, bouncing back after just one season in the Championship. However, they were relegated back to the Championship in May 2022.

23. West Bromwich Albion

West Bromwich Albion F.C. is another founding member of the inaugural Football League in 1888. With an impressive 82 seasons spent in the top tier of English football.

In 1919–20, they became the champions of England. They secured runner-up twice and triumphed in the FA Cup on five occasions, in 1888, 1892, 1931, 1954, and most notably in 1968, winning their most recent major trophy.

In 1996, they won the Football League Cup and went to two more finals. Albion’s presence in the top division extended over 24 years between 1949 and 1973, while the period from 1986 to 2002 saw their longest spell outside the top division.

24. Wrexham A.F.C.

After a historic run of promotions, Wrexham A.F.C. is competing in the EFL Championship in 2025/26.

Since being bought by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in 2021, the club has gained global recognition through the documentary series Welcome to Wrexham and the support of a fast-growing international fanbase.

On the pitch, Wrexham achieved consecutive promotions: first from the National League in 2023, then from League Two in 2024, followed by a League One promotion in 2025.

This historic run made them the first club in English football’s top five tiers to secure three straight promotions.

Off the pitch, new investors and financial growth have pushed the club’s valuation above £150 million.

Ken Anucha

Kenneth is a an avid soccer follower, fan and writer. He is a consistent follower of the sport and is a fan of Chelsea FC.

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