The 2025/26 EFL Championship season kicks off in style this Friday, as Birmingham City welcome Ipswich Town to St Andrew’s Knighthead Park in what promises to be a thrilling curtain-raiser under the lights.
Fresh off a record-breaking League One campaign, Birmingham City are back in the Championship with confidence soaring. Under the guidance of Chris Davies, the Blues stormed to promotion last season with a stunning 111 points—one of the highest tallies in English football history. Their summer transfer window has been just as impressive, making them early favourites to surprise many in the second tier.
But the big question remains: Can Davies’ possession-heavy approach stand up to the rigours of Championship football?
Meanwhile, Ipswich Town are looking to bounce back after a short-lived stay in the Premier League. Kieran McKenna’s side may have lost attacking star Liam Delap, but the arrival of Dutch midfield dynamo Azor Matusiwa offers grit and top-level experience—clear evidence that the Tractor Boys mean business this season.
Here’s everything you need to know about where to watch the match, streaming options, kickoff time, and team updates.
📺 Where to Watch Birmingham vs Ipswich: TV Channels & Live Streams
| Country | TV Channel / Streaming Service |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom (UK) | Sky Sports Football, NOW, Sky Go UK, Sky Go Extra |
| United States (US) | Paramount+, CBS Sports Network, Fubo |
| Germany | Sky Sports Football |
| Switzerland | Sky Sport Premier League, Sky Sport Top Event |
| India | FanCode |
| Norway, Sweden | Viaplay |
| South Africa | SuperSport Football, MáXimo 360, DStv App, ESPN Africa, SuperSport MaXimo 1, SuperSport GOtv Football |
Fans in the UK can catch all the action live on the Sky Sports network. In the US, the game will be streamed via Paramount+, Fubo, DirecTV Stream, and also available on CBS Sports Network.
Live match updates will also be available throughout the game on GOAL.com.
🌍 How to Watch the Match from Anywhere Using a VPN
Travelling abroad? If your usual streaming service is unavailable in your location, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can help. Services like NordVPN allow you to securely access content as if you were at home. Need help choosing one? Check out GOAL’s guide to the best VPNs for streaming sports content globally.
🕗 Kick-Off Time
- Date: Friday, August 8
- Venue: St Andrew’s Knighthead Park, Birmingham
- Kick-off Times:
- 8:00 PM BST (UK)
- 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT (USA)
🧑⚕️ Team News & Expected Line-ups
Birmingham City
Chris Davies could hand debuts to several new signings, including goalkeeper James Beadle, versatile full-back Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Japanese striker Kyogo Furuhashi. The defence is likely to feature Eiran Cashin, Christoph Klarer, and Phil Neumann, offering plenty of depth and competition.
However, injuries remain a concern:
- Tyler Roberts and Kanya Fujimoto are ruled out.
- Conor Townsend and Jaden Philogene are doubtful after picking up knocks in preseason.
Ipswich Town
Ipswich are also grappling with fitness issues:
- Star left-back Leif Davis missed their last friendly.
- Harry Clarke remains sidelined long-term with a knee injury.
These absences could pave the way for veteran Ashley Young to make his debut at left-back—at the remarkable age of 40.
📊 Current Form & Standings
Both teams come into this match having drawn their opening fixtures:
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | PTS | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ipswich | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | D |
| 2 | Birmingham | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | D |
| 3-6 | Others | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
Stay tuned for what promises to be a gripping opener. Whether you’re tuning in from home or on the go, Friday night football is back—and this one could set the tone for an electrifying Championship season.
