West Ham United will kick off their 2026/27 Championship season away at Burnley as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side begin their promotion push with an immediate test.
It is a sharp opening marker for West Ham, who finished one place and 17 points above Burnley last season before both clubs dropped into the Championship.
Burnley are also searching for a new head coach after Scott Parker’s departure in April, which adds another layer to the opening-weekend picture.
Nuno Gets An Immediate Promotion Test
West Ham’s first month continues with a home London derby against Charlton Athletic on Saturday 22 August.
Nuno’s side then travel to Watford on Saturday 29 August before hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday 1 September.
ReadWestHam has already looked at how the EFL fixture drop handed Nuno his first real promotion map, and the opening run now gives that map a clear edge.
West Ham do not have a soft landing.
Burnley away, Charlton at home and Watford away should quickly show whether Nuno’s squad has the balance, depth and mentality needed for a Championship campaign.
The derby dates will also stand out.
West Ham travel to Millwall on Saturday 19 September before hosting the return fixture at London Stadium on Saturday 20 February. Queens Park Rangers visit on Saturday 10 October, with the reverse fixture at Loftus Road set for Saturday 27 February.
ReadWestHam has also covered how West Ham’s wage-bill reset has changed Daniel Kretinsky’s rebuild picture, and these fixtures underline the football challenge behind that financial reset.
The festive programme brings Norwich City to London Stadium on Boxing Day, followed by Southampton away on Tuesday 29 December and Bristol City away on New Year’s Day.
West Ham finish the regular season at home to Portsmouth on Saturday 1 May.
The Carabao Cup will start earlier, with West Ham entering at the first-round stage across the weekend of 7-9 August. The FA Cup third round is scheduled for the weekend of Saturday 9 January.
ReadWestHam has already noted how pre-season gives Nuno his first public checkpoint, but the league fixture list now gives the summer a harder deadline.
West Ham know the route. Now Nuno needs the squad to match it.
