Championship derbies return as Millwall host West Ham and Wolves meet West Brom
The 2026-27 Championship season brings back several long-dormant derby fixtures, including Millwall against West Ham and Wolves versus West Brom. These matches are set to reignite historic rivalries that have not been played in years. Fans are eagerly anticipating the intense encounters this weekend.
The renewal of these derbies stems from last season’s promotion and relegation shifts, which placed both rival pairs in the same division for the first time in years. Millwall and West Ham’s history stretches back to 1899, though they have met only seven times in the past three decades, with their last league clash coming in 2011-12. West Ham have not won at The Den since 1988, while the upcoming fixture marks the second-longest gap in the rivalry’s 127-year history.
Wolves and West Brom’s meeting at Molineux similarly revives a fierce Black Country derby, though the article focuses primarily on the London clash. Both matches are scheduled for this weekend, with the Millwall-West Ham game set for Saturday lunchtime. The return fixture at the London Stadium is planned for February, adding another layer of anticipation for supporters who have waited years for these encounters.
These revived derbies could intensify local identity and community pride, drawing large crowds and heightened media attention that may boost the Championship’s profile. However, the historically volatile nature of the Millwall-West Ham rivalry may raise concerns about policing and fan behavior, potentially affecting public safety and the clubs’ reputations. The matches could also influence player performance and managerial pressure, as high-stakes fixtures often do, shaping early-season momentum for all four teams.