Birmingham City Faces Crucial Opening Five Fixtures in 2025-26 Championship Campaign

Following an unexpected drop to League One during the 2023–24 campaign, Birmingham City smoothly returned to the Championship in their first attempt last season.

The Blues invested heavily to make their time in the third division short-lived, with crucial financial backing from NFL icon Tom Brady supporting their efforts. They dominated their opponents while accumulating an impressive 111 points and claiming the League One championship with ease.

Nevertheless, maintaining momentum can quickly fade in the Championship, a reality Birmingham understands perfectly. The challenges ahead will become considerably tougher for this Midlands club.

Beyond the inherent difficulty of stepping up to the Championship, the Blues face a particularly demanding opening schedule. Below are their initial five matches.

Birmingham's Opening Five 2025–26 Championship Matches

Birmingham encounters several manageable fixtures in their early schedule, though their season opener promises to be an intense battle. Starting the entire Championship campaign on Friday, August 8, they will face Ipswich Town, who have just dropped down from the Premier League. The Tractor Boys are expected to keep most of their roster for 2025–26 as they aim for immediate promotion back to the top division.

A journey north to face Blackburn Rovers presents another significant challenge for the Blues. Previously regular Premier League opponents during the 2000s, both teams have been stuck in lower leagues for the past ten years. Nevertheless, Rovers are eager to break free, having finished merely two points shy of playoff qualification last season.

Oxford United at St Andrew's offers a somewhat easier matchup for Chris Davies and his squad, given the U's 17th-place finish and narrow four-point margin above relegation last season. This represents a fixture Birmingham should target as essential to win early in their campaign.

The same cannot be said for Birmingham's fourth match of 2025–26 when they visit Leicester City. Despite the Foxes experiencing chaos both on and off the field following a difficult Premier League season, they remain heavy favorites against the newly-promoted Blues. The King Power Stadium should prove more challenging to visit next season compared to last.

The September international break will pause the Championship season early in the month, but Birmingham will be well-prepared for their encounter with Stoke City upon their return. Last season's 18th-placed Championship team will welcome the Blues as Mark Robins seeks a strong beginning to his first complete season with the Potters.