Championship Promotion Odds

Here we take a look at the promotion odds for the upcoming 2025/26 Championship season, with the three relegated sides looking for an immediate return to the Premier League.

• Ipswich Town: 5/4
• Southampton: 6/4
• Birmingham: 15/8
• Sheff Utd: 15/8
• Leicester: 4/1
• Coventry: 4/1
• Middlesbrough: 9/2
• Norwich: 5/1
• Wrexham: 5/1
• West Brom: 11/2
• Watford: 7/1
• Bristol City: 7/1
• Stoke: 17/2
• Millwall: 17/2
• Swansea City: 17/2
• Derby County: 10/1
• Hull City: 12/1
• Blackburn Rovers: 12/1
• QPR: 16/1
• Portsmouth: 20/1
• Preston: 20/1
• Charlton Athletic: 20/1
• Sheff Wed: 28/1
• Oxford Utd: 28/1

Ipswich Town have retained the majority of their squad, but arguably their most important retention was that of Kieran McKenna. The former Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United coach was subject to speculation for the vacant Brentford position; however, the Northern Irishman is set to stay at Portman Road for at least another season.

The Tractor Boys suffered the expected loss of Liam Delap to Chelsea and Axel Tuanzebe to Burnley, but have managed to keep hold of the likes of Sammie Szmodics and Leif Davis, who are expected to stay on for the campaign. Szmodics will be essential to replace the vocal presence voided by the departure of Delap, and his last campaign in the Championship resulted in the former Peterborough United midfielder winning the Golden Boot with 27 goals for a struggling Blackburn Rovers.

Ipswich Town have moved to use some of the £30million reported fee, which Chelsea paid for Delap, in securing the services of Dutch midfielder Azor Matusiwa from French side Stade Rennais. Kieran McKenna's side are expected to strengthen further, making them marginal favourites for promotion heading into the new season.

Southampton will be hoping for a much stronger performance both on and off the pitch this season, after one of the worst seasons in Premier League history, as the Saints finished just a point above Derby County's record of 11 points in the 2007/08 season.

The latest manager to hopefully restore some stability and change the fortunes at St.Mary's is a highly talented manager, Will Still, who arrives from France after spells with RC Lens and Stade de Reims. The 32-year-old had an average points per game record of 1.46 per game during his time in France and was known for being one of the youngest coaches to manage in Europe's top five leagues.

The Saints have one of the strongest squads in the league on paper, with England internationals Aaron Ramsdale and Taylor Harwood-Bellis in their ranks, which may provide some defensive stability. Tyler Dibling's performances will be pivotal for the Saints, as the young prospect was one of the shining lights for Southampton in what was a dismal Premier League campaign for the South Coast side.

Big-spending Birmingham City steamrolled their way through League One last season, as the Blues captured the League One title with an away victory against Peterborough United in April. Birmingham City missed out on a potential league and cup double when the Posh beat them in the EFL Trophy final at Wembley days after their league triumph.

This summer, though, the Blues have flexed their muscles in the transfer market once again by securing the services of Kyogo Furuhashi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and the returning Demari Gray. Chris Davies has also utilised the loan market by signing England Under-21 international James Beadle, who will be brimming with confidence following his success in the Under-21 European Championship.

Chris Davies' side had a phenomenal home record last season, as the Blues remained unbeaten at St.Andrews in the league. Birmingham City have clearly shown they are willing to adapt and could make a case for consecutive promotions, similar to what Ipswich Town had achieved in recent seasons.

Ruben Selles will be tasked with guiding the Blades back to the Premier League following their play-off disappointment in May. Sheffield United were beaten by Sunderland in the play-off final at Wembley, after the Blades took a first-half lead through Tyrese Campbell. The game shifted in Sunderland's favour during the second half as goals from Eliezer Mayenda and Tom Watson killed the last hopes for an immediate return to the top flight.

Ruben Selles will be thankful that his transition into the dugout at Bramall Lane has so far been peaceful, as the Blades have so far retained the likes of Gustavo Hamer, Michael Cooper, Anel Ahmedhodzic and Harrison Burrows. Ryan One could be set for a breakout season under Selles, as the Scottish forward has featured heavily during pre-season, scoring four goals in three appearances.

Louie Barry has been signed on a loan deal from Aston Villa, following his excellent stint at League One side Stockport County, where he scored 15 goals in 22 league starts.

Another relegated side from the Premier League, Leicester City, will be under new management, with speculation still surrounding the club amid its financial spending issues. Marti Cifuentes was appointed by the Foxes, given his solid spell with fellow Championship side Queens Park Rangers.

His first task will be to restore some pride and structure within the Leicester City squad, which performed dismally in the Premier League last season. Goals will be key, of course, and it will remain to be seen how the foxes deal with the departure of legendary striker Jamie Vardy, who announced his departure from the King Power Stadium at the end of the last campaign.

Leicester City's squad is still filled with ex-Premier League quality with Harry Winks, Wilfred Ndidi, Jordan Ayew and Conor Coady, who are all likely to provide the experience needed for Leicester City to mount a promotion challenge.