Championship officials have confirmed all 24 teams for the upcoming 2025/26 season, with three newly-promoted sides set to challenge West Bromwich Albion in England's second tier.
The EFL's second division welcomes "Wrexham", "Birmingham City", and "Charlton Athletic" – all securing promotion from League One through different routes. For the Baggies, this creates an intriguing mix of familiar foes and fresh challenges.
Perhaps most notably, "West Brom" will face "Wrexham" in league competition for the first time in club history. The Welsh side's remarkable rise continues after they ended a 42-year absence from the Championship, having last competed at this level back in the 1981/82 season. Worth mentioning – the only previous meeting between these clubs came in the FA Cup way back in 1930. Quite the wait for a rematch, isn't it?
Meanwhile, local rivalries will be rekindled as "Birmingham City" bounce straight back to the Championship after just one season in League One. The West Midlands derby between the Baggies and the Blues was absent from the 2024/25 calendar but returns next term. The teams last squared off in league action during the 2023/24 campaign.
"Charlton Athletic" complete the promoted trio after their dramatic 1-0 victory over "Leyton Orient" in Sunday's League One play-off final at Wembley. The London club finally returns to the Championship following a five-year stint in the third tier.
The Baggies' most recent encounters with the Addicks came in the 2019/20 season, with both matches ending in entertaining 2-2 draws. Can either side find a winner next season?
With all opponents now confirmed, attention turns to the fixture release as Championship clubs begin planning their promotion campaigns for the 2025/26 season.
