West Bromwich Albion will start life back in Sky Bet Championship with opening weekend trip of 2021-22 season to Bournemouth, as this season’s fixtures are unveiled.
West Brom were relegated after just one season back in England’s top flight and will kick off their bid for rebound promotion with a tricky opening away trip on the weekend of 6-9 August 2021, as they visit Bournemouth at the Vitaly Stadium after the Cherries lost in last season’s promotion play-offs to eventual winners – Brentford.
Losing Play-Off finalists, Swansea meanwhile kick off their season away to Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park, whilst Barnsley who lost in the play-off semi-finals will visit Cardiff on the opening weekend.
Fulham begin life back in the second-tier with a home clash against Middlesbrough at Craven Cottage, whilst Sheffield United will host Birmingham City as the Blades return to the Championship after two seasons in the Premier League.
All three promoted teams of Hull, Peterborough and Blackpool meanwhile all start life back in the Championship with away matches, as Hull visit Preston whilst Peterborough and Blackpool head to Luton and Bristol City respectively.
Here are the opening round of 2021-22 fixtures in Championship below.
| Bournemouth | v | West Bromwich Albion |
| Blackburn | v | Swansea |
| Bristol City | v | Blackpool |
| Cardiff | v | Barnsley |
| Coventry | v | Nottingham Forest |
| Derby | v | Huddersfield |
| Fulham | v | Middlesbrough |
| Luton | v | Peterborough |
| Preston | v | Hull |
| QPR | v | Millwall |
| Sheffield United | v | Birmingham City |
| Stoke | v | Reading |
Derby meanwhile are still at risk of relegation due to breaches of financial rules so an interchangeable fixture list has been created, which would see Wycombe Wanderers handed a reprieve by virtue of finishing 22nd last season.
Wayne Rooney’s Rams though will start the season at home to Huddersfield as things stand at time of writing, plus are set to feature in two festive Midlands derbies as they host West Brom on Sunday 26 December before visiting Stoke three days later on Wednesday 29 December.
2022 meanwhile will start with a bang as Sheffield United host Middlesbrough at Bramall Lane in the headline New Year’s Day fixture, as Neil Warnock takes Boro to his former stomping ground in a potentially spicy clash.
Across the Easter double-header, Boro face a Good Friday away trip to Bournemouth for the second consecutive season, whilst Swansea host Barnsley in a repeat of last season’s second leg of their play-off semi-final.
Easter Monday’s stand-out clash sees Nottingham Forest host West Brom in a mouth-watering Midlands derby at the City Ground.
The final day of this season on weekend of Saturday 7 May 2022 looks set to be littered with potentially key clashes as Sheffield United host Fulham in a clash which could be crucial as to deciding who goes up.
West Brom will take on Barnsley at The Hawthorns as the Tykes look to mount another promotion push after finishing fifth last season, which could well mean a tough decider to determine the play-off and promotion pictures.
Down at the opposite end, Peterborough welcome Blackpool to London Road on the final day in what could well be a relegation six pointer, as both teams look set to be in the fight for survival this season.
Fixtures for the final matchweek can be found below.
| Birmingham City | v | Blackburn Rovers |
| Bournemouth | v | Millwall |
| Derby | v | Cardiff |
| Huddersfield | v | Bristol City |
| Hull | v | Nottingham Forest |
| Luton | v | Reading |
| Peterborough | v | Blackpool |
| Preston | v | Middlesbrough |
| Sheffield United | v | Fulham |
| Stoke | v | Coventry |
| Swansea | v | QPR |
| West Bromwich Albion | v | Barnsley |
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