THE fixtures for the 2026-27 EFL season are released today and Phil Parkinson says there's still a "freshness about being in the Championship".
After securing a record-breaking three successive promotions, Wrexham emerged as play-off contenders in 2025-26 - their first season back in the second tier for 43 years.
The race for a top-six finish went down to the last day of the campaign but the Reds drew 2-2 at home to high-flying Middlesbrough and ended seventh, just two points away from the play-offs.
Having quickly climbed the pyramid since the success story began by winning the National League title following a historic 2022-23 campaign, staying in the same division for more than one season has become a rarity at The Racecourse.
Reaching the Premier League for the first time in the club's history is still the aim and Parkinson is excited about lining up in the Championship once again, with Wrexham joined by West Ham United, Wolves and Burnley, who were all relegated from the Premier League, and newly-promoted Lincoln City, Cardiff City and Bolton Wanderers.
"We are all looking forward to the fixtures coming out," said the Reds' boss.
"There's obviously still a freshness about being in the Championship and the stadiums we visit.
"There's three extra ones from the Premier League in terms of Burnley, Wolves and West Ham to look forward to this year."
The Hammers saw their 14-year stay in the top-flight come to an end but their London Stadium can house 62,500 supporters, making in the biggest capacity in the EFL.
"West Ham in particular, I'm sure our supporters will be really keen to go down to," added Parkinson.
"It will be exciting going there, I think it's probably one of the fixtures a lot of people will look out for.
"Cardiff is another exciting one for us as well."
The 2026-27 campaign kicks-off with the Carabao Cup first round on August 7-9, with the draw being held today at 4.30pm, with the league season starting over the weekend of August 14-16.
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The opening stage of the Carabao Cup is normally played as a midweek fixture but following consultation with clubs over a proposed schedule, it was agreed that it would take place a week prior to the season starting.
"I've been involved in this scenario before," added Parkinson.
"It is unusual but it has happened before so we'll know the draw today as well which is good."
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