Bet365 have released their Championship season handicap odds for 2026/27, with all 24 teams priced at 18/1 in what promises to be a wide-open market. Newly relegated West Ham United start on scratch as the favourites for promotion. At the other end, Lincoln City receive the biggest head start on +36 for their first campaign in the second tier since 1960/61. Here is a full breakdown of the latest odds and an explanation of how the market works ahead of the new season.
Championship season handicap odds 2026/27
Below are the latest bet365 odds for the 2026/27 Championship season handicap market. Every team is priced at 18/1, making this one of the most open handicap markets in English football.
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| Team | Handicap | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| West Ham United | 0 | 18/1 |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | +6 | 18/1 |
| Burnley | +9 | 18/1 |
| Middlesbrough | +10 | 18/1 |
| Southampton | +11 | 18/1 |
| Birmingham City | +13 | 18/1 |
| Norwich City | +14 | 18/1 |
| Sheffield United | +15 | 18/1 |
| Wrexham | +17 | 18/1 |
| Millwall | +18 | 18/1 |
| Derby County | +22 | 18/1 |
| Stoke City | +24 | 18/1 |
| Bristol City | +24 | 18/1 |
| West Bromwich Albion | +26 | 18/1 |
| Swansea City | +26 | 18/1 |
| Watford | +28 | 18/1 |
| Blackburn Rovers | +28 | 18/1 |
| Queens Park Rangers | +28 | 18/1 |
| Portsmouth | +29 | 18/1 |
| Cardiff City | +31 | 18/1 |
| Preston North End | +31 | 18/1 |
| Bolton Wanderers | +32 | 18/1 |
| Charlton Athletic | +32 | 18/1 |
| Lincoln City | +36 | 18/1 |
How does the Championship season handicap work?
Coventry City won the Championship title in 2025-26 to secure automatic promotion to the Premier League alongside Hull City. Ipswich Town completed the promoted trio by winning the play-offs, earning an immediate return to the top flight after their relegation the previous season.
Meanwhile, West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley dropped out of the Premier League. Bookmakers make West Ham the favourites to bounce straight back, so they start on scratch. Wolves receive a +6 handicap, while Burnley begin with +9, reflecting expectations that both clubs will challenge for an immediate return.
With every team priced at 18/1, the bookmakers see this as a genuinely open contest. That reflects the unpredictable nature of the Championship, where the gruelling 46-game schedule regularly throws up surprises. As the Premier League version of this market has shown in recent years, teams with larger head starts often outperform those starting on or near scratch.
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New customers can sign up using bonus code SQUAWKA365, bet £10 and get £30 in Free Bets. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration Required. This code is for marketing and tracking purposes only. #Ad.
What happened in the Championship last season?
Coventry City secured automatic promotion to the Premier League after winning the Championship title in 2025-26, with Hull City joining them in the top flight. Ipswich Town completed the promoted trio by winning the play-offs, securing an immediate return to the Premier League after last season’s relegation.
Going the other way, West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley were all relegated from the Premier League. West Ham start on scratch as the clear favourites to bounce straight back. Wolves (+6) and Burnley (+9) are given modest head starts that reflect similar expectations of an immediate return.
Lincoln City are the division’s most eye-catching newcomers. The Imps are preparing for their first campaign at this level since 1960/61 and receive a +36 head start, the largest of any team. Bolton Wanderers and Charlton Athletic also arrive with sizeable starts of +32 apiece.
Key storylines for the 2026/27 Championship season handicap
The most notable feature of this market is the uniform pricing. Unlike the Premier League season handicap, where Nottingham Forest are clear 8/1 favourites, every Championship side is priced at 18/1. That makes it a genuine pick-your-own-horse contest, with the handicap designed to give every club an equal shot.
History suggests teams with larger starts tend to do well in this type of market. Sides that simply survive in the division and pick up a steady stream of points can rack up impressive combined totals when bolstered by a generous head start. Lincoln City (+36), Bolton Wanderers (+32) and Charlton Athletic (+32) carry the biggest advantages and will fancy their chances if they can stay competitive.
At the other end of the scale, the three relegated Premier League clubs face a familiar handicap problem. West Ham (0), Wolves (+6) and Burnley (+9) are all expected to be among the strongest sides in the division. However, their small head starts mean they would need huge points tallies to compete in the handicap. West Ham, for instance, would likely need upwards of 90 points to be in the mix, a total that few Championship sides ever reach.
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