The new English Football League campaign is set to deliver another nine months of intrigue across the Championship, League One and League Two, with several high-profile clubs adjusting to life in new divisions.
A BBC Radio 5 Live preview, featuring Aaron Paul alongside pundits Andy Woodman, Luke Chambers and Lyle Taylor, broke down the storylines to watch heading into the 2026-27 season on the station's new 72+ feed.
At the top of the agenda is the return of West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Championship, two clubs with Premier League pedigree now tasked with adapting to the rigours of the second tier. Both sides will be under scrutiny as they attempt to mount swift returns to the top flight, though neither is guaranteed an easy path given the competitive nature of English football's second division.
Burnley also feature prominently in discussions around the Championship picture, alongside Southampton and Middlesbrough, both of whom will be aiming to push for promotion this term. The panel also touched on potential dark horses who could spring a surprise over the course of the campaign, adding another layer of unpredictability to a division renowned for its competitiveness.
Elsewhere, the preview shone a light on League One, where Bromley are preparing for a landmark season as they compete in the third tier of English football for the first time in their history. Manager Andy Woodman spoke about the significance of the achievement and the challenges that lie ahead for the club as they navigate unfamiliar territory.
Leicester City, Sheffield Wednesday and Oxford United were also discussed in the context of League One, with Leicester and Sheffield Wednesday both looking to recover quickly from relegation and re-establish themselves higher up the pyramid.
Salford City emerged as one of the season's most closely watched sides, with the club considered among the favourites for promotion. Manager Peter Cklamovski joined the programme to reflect on his career path, which has taken him from Australia and Asia into English football. Cklamovski discussed his experience working alongside Ange Postecoglou and the demands that come with leading a club expected to challenge at the top of the division.
York City also received attention during the broadcast as part of the wider look at the lower leagues, underlining the breadth of talking points across the EFL pyramid this season.
Beyond the football itself, the preview noted a significant off-field development, with the Professional Footballers' Association confirmed to have opened legal proceedings over the EFL, a story that could carry ramifications throughout the season.
Listeners were also reminded of the chance to get involved with the official 72+ EFL Fantasy League, with a dedicated sign-up code provided during the broadcast.
With relegated Premier League clubs adjusting to new realities, ambitious sides plotting promotion pushes, and clubs like Bromley making history simply by competing in a higher division, the EFL's 2026-27 season promises to be one of its most compelling in recent memory. As the campaign unfolds, attention will remain fixed on how the traditional powerhouses adapt, whether the dark horses can deliver on their promise, and how the League's ongoing legal issues develop alongside the action on the pitch.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.