West Bromwich Albion have learned where their 2025/26 season will start, with the EFL Cup first round draw completed on Wednesday. The Baggies will begin their Championship campaign at home to Middlesbrough on Saturday, August 9, before their Carabao Cup first round tie at Fleetwood Town on August 12.
EFL Cup first round draw details
The draw for the first round of the Carabao Cup was made live on Sky Sports, with West Brom drawn away to League Two side Fleetwood Town. The tie will take place at Highbury Stadium during the week commencing August 11, with the exact date and kick-off time to be confirmed. Fleetwood finished 22nd in League Two last season, narrowly avoiding relegation.
West Brom, who reached the Championship play-off semi-finals in 2024/25, will be looking to progress beyond the first round of the EFL Cup for the first time since 2022/23, when they lost to Brighton in the third round. The Baggies have been drawn against lower-league opposition in the first round for the third consecutive season.
Championship opening weekend
The EFL confirmed the Championship season will begin on the weekend of August 9-10, with West Brom's home fixture against Middlesbrough scheduled for 3pm on Saturday. The Baggies will then travel to Fleetwood in midweek before their first away league game at Sheffield Wednesday on August 16.
According to the EFL, the full fixture list for the 2025/26 Championship season will be released on Thursday, June 26, at 9am. West Brom will play 46 league matches, aiming to improve on their fifth-place finish last season under manager Carlos Corberan.
Key dates for West Brom
West Brom's pre-season schedule is yet to be announced, but the club typically plays four to five friendlies before the season opener. The transfer window will be open until September 1, giving Corberan time to strengthen his squad. The Baggies have already been linked with several targets, including a new striker and a left-back.
The EFL Cup first round is scheduled for the week commencing August 11, with second round ties taking place in late August. West Brom will hope to avoid a repeat of last season's early exit, when they lost 2-1 to Stoke City in the first round.
