Welsh clubs set for historic Championship reunion in 2026-27

Cardiff City, Swansea City and Wrexham are set to compete in the English Championship for the first time in 45 years during the 2026-27 season. The three Welsh clubs last shared the second tier in the 1980-81 campaign, a period when the Football League awarded two points for a win rather than the current three-point system.

The upcoming season follows a complex period of movement for the clubs. Wrexham secured promotion in the 2024-25 campaign, while Cardiff City achieved immediate promotion back to the second tier from League One. Swansea City, having finished in mid-table in the previous season, joins the group, resulting in a reunion that has not occurred in the second tier since the early 1980s.

This marks only the sixth time the three clubs have played in the same division. The most recent instance was the 1994-95 season, although Cardiff were relegated from the second tier that year, meaning the trio did not share the second tier simultaneously. The previous occasions where all three were in the second tier were the 1979-80 and 1980-81 seasons.

The 1980-81 season provided a distinct historical parallel for the upcoming fixture list. Swansea City secured promotion to the top flight following a final-day victory at Preston, while Cardiff City narrowly avoided relegation by finishing 19th on goal difference in a 22-team league. Wrexham finished 16th, just two points above Cardiff, in what was the last season before the three-point win rule was introduced.

The 2026-27 schedule will feature six derbies between the Welsh rivals. The last time the clubs shared the second tier, Cardiff City held the upper hand in the local contests, securing two wins against Wrexham and drawing twice with Swansea. Wrexham managed only a single draw against Swansea during that historic period.