We're set for a fascinating 2026/27 Championship season and the battle to stay in the second tier of English football could never be tougher.
Lincoln City, Cardiff City and Bolton Wanderers all climbed into the Championship from League One last term and the trio will be looking to replicate the success of the three promoted teams from the year before as Birmingham City and Wrexham achieved top-half finishes while Charlton Athletic comfortably avoided relegation.
The trio of teams who dropped down from the Premier League season - West Ham, Wolves and Burnley - all have aspirations of making an immediate return to the top-flight, but the starting decline of Leicester City is a stark reminder of how quickly a club can tumble.
The Foxes were joined by Oxford United and Sheffield Wednesday in the bottom three last season, and we've assessed the latest Championship relegation odds for the 2026/27 campaign.
Making their first appearance in the second tier of English football since 1961, Lincoln City are the favourites to be relegated this season.
The Imps achieved 103 points on their path to the League One title last term, but the loss of head coach Michael Skubala to Bristol City and the notable disparity in their wage bill compared to the teams they're competing with suggests the Sincil Bank outfit are in for a tough season.
Bolton are second favourites to go down as they return to the Championship for the first time since 2019.
It's been a frustrating summer for Steven Schumacher, who was eagers to see his Trotters squad enhanced before the new season, but Bolton are looking to make several additions in the market.
Cardiff City are also among the contenders for the drop as they look to reestablish themselves in the Championship under the tutelage of highly-rated coach Brian Barry-Murphy.
Charlton are prominent in the betting as Nathan Jones' side aim to avoid the second season fate that Oxford endured last term, while Preston's wretched second half of the 2025/26 season has cast doubt on their ability to survive in the Championship.
Their Lancashire rivals Blackburn Rovers are priced at 9/2 to suffer relegation alongside Portsmouth, who continue to punch above their weight with John Mousinho at the helm.
2026/27 Championship Relegation Odds
To be Relegated:
- Lincoln City - 8/11
- Bolton Wanderers - 11/10
- Cardiff City - 5/4
- Charlton Athletic - 11/8
- Preston North End - 5/2
- Blackburn Rovers - 9/2
- Portsmouth - 9/2
- QPR - 6/1
- Watford - 6/1
(Odds will display when the market is available).
All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
