With the 2025/26 Championship fixtures now released, Coral looks at Birmingham City's biggest games of the season, kicking off against title favourites Ipswich Town.
Having registered an EFL record after reaching 111 points in League One last season, Birmingham fans will be hopeful of another exciting campaign as they look to emulate opening-day opponents Ipswich and achieve back-to-back promotions.
But this season will be a lot tougher than their last, with some excellent sides and huge matches standing between them and the Premier League. So, let's take a look at a handful of Birmingham City's biggest games ahead of their 2025/26 Championship campaign.
Birmingham City's biggest games of the 2025/26 Championship season
The Tractor Boys are favourites to lift the Championship trophy in May 2026, and having just dropped down from the Premier League, the quality of their squad puts the majority of Championship clubs to shame - but Birmingham will fancy their chances.
Getting off to a good start is always important, and the team will need no extra motivation when they welcome Kieran McKenna's lively side to the Midlands on the opening weekend, with St. Andrews sure to be sold out - and very loud.
Leicester City vs Birmingham City (August 30, 2025)
Less than a month after hosting Ipswich, Birmingham travel to another former Premier League side as they face Leicester City at the King Power.
In what will be one of their toughest games of the season, this one will really show everyone the calibre of this Blues side, and will be an excellent indicator as to whether or not they can fight at the top of the league.
Having achieved Premier League and FA Cup glory in the past 10 years, Leicester are the envy of every Championship side, but their downfall has opened the door for the likes of Birmingham to pounce. With optimistic owners and incredible momentum, Blues will be hopeful that they can be 'the next Leicester' - and a positive result here would certainly make people stand up and take notice.
Wrexham vs Birmingham City (October 4, 2025)
In a battle that has previously been dubbed 'the Hollywood Derby', Wrexham and Birmingham face off in October, and both sides will be desperate to get one over the other.
With Wrexham going into the Championship season looking for a historic fourth consecutive promotion, they take on the role of a fairytale villain for Birmingham, with both clubs having similar backrooms and similar aspirations ahead of the 2025/26 Championship campaign.
The Blues came out on top in League One last season, taking four points off their Welsh opponents and finishing a whopping 19 points clear at the top of the league, and as both sides hope to mount a play-off push, this game could prove decisive come the end of the season.
Birmingham City vs West Bromwich Albion (February 14, 2026)
There won't be much love in the air in this in this Valentine's Day clash, as Birmingham welcome Midlands rivals West Brom to St. Andrews for the first time since October 2023.
The Blues have won their last three home games against West Brom, and with Chris Davies' side going the whole of last season without losing a game in front of their own fans, they'll certainly be optimistic of taking three more points off the Baggies this time around.
West Brom will always be in the conversation for promotion from the Championship, despite them facing their fifth consecutive season at this level, so this local derby instantly becomes one of Birmingham City's biggest games of the season for more reasons than one.
Portsmouth vs Birmingham City (May 2, 2026)
Birmingham travel to Portsmouth to bring the curtain down on the season, with this final-day clash having the potential to mean everything for Chris Davies' side.
Should the push for promotion go all the way to the final day, Blues could head to Fratton Park needing a result to confirm their place in the play-offs - or even the Premier League - so may see this as their biggest game of the entire season.
Portsmouth away certainly isn't an easy game to end on, but if their Premier League dreams are to come true, then Birmingham have to view these awkward away games as excellent opportunities to win - and potentially secure their long-awaited return to the promised land.
Who are the favourites to win promotion from the 2025/26 Championship?
Ipswich Town, Southampton and Sheffield United are among the favourites to get promoted from next season's Championship, but Birmingham will be confident they can push them all the way.
Can you bet on next season's Championship?
Coral are offering customers the chance to bet on next season's Championship winner, as well as who they think will get promoted.
