When Boro will learn 2026-27 Championship fixtures with clear goal ahead

Kim Hellberg head coach of Middlesbrough (Image: Michael Zemanek/Shutterstock) Middlesbrough supporters probably need a break every bit as much as Kim Hellberg and the players right now. A bruising end to the campaign saw Boro blow their best chance at earning a return to the Premier League in the nine years since their last relegation. Sitting second for so much of the campaign, they ultimately lacked the quality or depth to hold off the charge of Ipswich. The same problems cost them again as they lost to Hull City in the play-off finals, condemning Boro to a tenth season in the second tier.

While that obviously feels raw now, the closer we get to the season, the more optimism and excitement will start to grow - particularly given the way Kim Hellberg has moulded his Boro side into an entertaining footballing side. And the first sign of anticipation building for the new season will, as always, be fixture release day. The day where Boro will learn the order of their opponents over the course of the season. Some will say it doesn't matter.

You have to play every team twice. But often when you play a team, and what kind of form they are in at the time, can be key. There's always particular runs of games that stand out, particular games you look out for, new grounds to visit, and of course, the all-important festive schedule. Boro will find out all the above on Thursday, June 25 at 12pm, with the EFL previously confirming that will be fixture release day for the Championship.

The first game of the season will be the weekend of August 14-16, with all games televised by Sky Sports. Kick-off times are to be confirmed at the same time as the fixtures are confirmed. Fixture release day will also see the first round draw for the Carabao Cup too. In a break from tradition, the Carabao Cup will kick-off the new season, with games taking place on the weekend of August 7-9.

As per usual, every game except the first and last game of the season will be subject to change with Sky Sports to make their broadcast picks. In a change to the schedule for picks being announced in recent seasons, all games played before the end of September 2026 will be announced by July 2. Then all live broadcast matches to be played up to, and including, the weekend of January 8-11, 2027 will be announced by July 31.