Championship Table 2025-26: Coventry Lead the Charge as Season Reaches Crucial Stage
LONDON, 24 January 2026 – The 2025-26 Sky Bet Championship season has reached a pivotal juncture, with the league table taking shape after 28 games for most clubs. Coventry City have established themselves as the team to catch, opening up a six-point lead at the summit. Meanwhile, a fiercely competitive battle for the playoff places is unfolding, while at the foot of the table, Sheffield Wednesday face a monumental task to avoid relegation following a points deduction.
The State of Play: League Table Standings
As of 22 January 2026, the Championship landscape is defined by Mark Robins’s Coventry City, who have compiled an impressive 58 points from 28 matches. Middlesbrough sit in the second automatic promotion spot, six points adrift. The playoff positions are currently occupied by Ipswich Town, Hull City, Millwall, and Preston North End, but the chasing pack remains tightly bunched, with just five points separating seventh from twelfth place.
Key League Statistics
| Position & Club | Played | Points | Goal Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Coventry City (Promotion) | 28 | 58 | +30 |
| 2. Middlesbrough (Promotion) | 28 | 52 | +13 |
| 3. Ipswich Town (Playoffs) | 27 | 50 | +23 |
| 4. Hull City (Playoffs) | 27 | 47 | +6 |
| 5. Millwall (Playoffs) | 28 | 46 | -3 |
| 6. Preston North End (Playoffs) | 28 | 43 | +7 |
| … | … | … | … |
| 22. Blackburn Rovers (Relegation) | 27 | 28 | -11 |
| 23. Oxford United (Relegation) | 27 | 24 | -10 |
| 24. Sheffield Wednesday (Relegation) | 27 | -7* | -36 |
*Sheffield Wednesday began the season with a 12-point deduction for entering administration and a further 6-point deduction for breaches of payment obligations.
Managerial Landscape: A Summer of Change
The current campaign followed a significant summer of managerial upheaval ahead of the 2025-26 season. Several high-profile clubs appointed new bosses, including Will Still at Southampton, Rob Edwards at Middlesbrough, and Ruben Selles at Sheffield United. The dugout volatility for which the Championship is famous has continued into the season, with reports suggesting Watford are considering a change, with former boss Javi Gracia linked with a return to Vicarage Road.
The Relegation Battle
The fight for survival is intense. Sheffield Wednesday’s points penalty has left them with a mountain to climb, currently 35 points from safety. Blackburn Rovers and Oxford United occupy the other relegation spots, but a cluster of clubs including Portsmouth, Norwich City, and West Bromwich Albion will be looking over their shoulders, keen to avoid being dragged into the mire.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does promotion and relegation work in the Championship?
The top two teams at the end of the season gain automatic promotion to the Premier League. Clubs finishing in 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th place enter a two-legged playoff semi-final, with the winners meeting at Wembley Stadium for the final promotion spot. The three bottom-placed teams (22nd, 23rd, and 24th) are relegated to EFL League One.
Who won promotion from the Championship last season (2024-25)?
In the 2024-25 season, Leeds United and Burnley earned automatic promotion to the Premier League. Sunderland won the playoff final, defeating Sheffield United at Wembley to secure the third promotion place.
Which teams were promoted to the Championship this season?
For the 2025-26 campaign, Birmingham City, Wrexham, and Charlton Athletic were promoted from League One. They were joined by Leicester City, Ipswich Town, and Southampton, who were relegated from the Premier League.