As a child, the weeks and months between the end of one football season and the start of the next would seem to stretch on forever. This was an impressive trick of the mind because, simultaneously of course, the school holidays would seem to fly by quicker than we could say “fly keeper”.
Now we are adults, time seems to pass much more quickly and even in a summer without a major tournament – at least as far as senior men’s action is concerned – the wait doesn’t seem quite as interminable. This year, we also have the FIFA Club World Cup to help pass the otherwise football-less days, not to mention the women’s Euros and the U19 and U21 men’s Euros too. Not too football-free after all.
However, despite all that action and even though our advancing years make it seem that Euro ‘96 was more or less last week, there is still that longing and desire for a return to the meat and drink of domestic football. When it comes to Watford, we have the transfer rumour mill to keep us interested – although it may be one of the slower-turning mills around! – and we also have the release of the fixtures.
Ignoring those perfectly plausible suggestions that the Hornets are going to be bringing in Nico Williams, Lamine Yamal and Pele, let’s take a look at the fixtures for the season ahead.
Watford’s Fixtures for 2025/26
The Championship fixture list was revealed on the 26th of June 2025. The second tier isn’t quite as affected by the whims of the TV broadcasters as the Premier League. Nor are clubs involved in European action, but even so, the dates below are of course subject to change. Kick-offs are scheduled for 3 pm on Saturdays or 7.45 pm midweek, but subject to change, aside from the opening clash, which will be a 12.30pm kick-off. Note that unless stated, matches are at home.
- Charlton away, 9th of August
- QPR, 16th of August
- Swansea City away, 23rd of August
- Southampton, 30th of August
- Blackburn Rovers, 13th of September
- Millwall away, 20th of September
- Hull City, 27th of September
- Portsmouth away, 1st of October
- Oxford United, 4th of October
- Sheffield United away, 18th of October
- West Bromwich Albion, 22nd of October
- Coventry City away, 25th of October
- Middlesbrough, 1st of November
- Ipswich Town away, 4th of November
- Bristol City, 8th of November
- Derby County away, 22nd of November
- Preston North End, 25th of November
- Birmingham City away, 29th of November
- Norwich City, 6th of December
- Sheffield Wednesday, 9th of December
- Wrexham away, 13th of December
- Stoke City, 20th of December
- Leicester City away, 26th of December
- Norwich City away, 29th of December
- Birmingham City, 1st of January
- Hull City away, 4th of January
- Millwall, 17th of January
- Portsmouth, 21st of January
- Blackburn away, 24th of January
- Swansea City, 31st of January
- Southampton away, 7th of February
- Preston North End away, 14th of February
- Derby County, 21st of February
- Ipswich, 24th of February
- Bristol City away, 28th of February
- Wrexham, 7th of March
- Sheffield Wednesday away, 10th of March
- Stoke City away, 14th of March
- Leicester City, 21st of March
- QPR away, 3rd of April
- Charlton Athletic, 6th of April
- Oxford United away, 11th of April
- Sheffield United, 18th of April
- West Bromwich Albion away, 21st of April
- Middlesbrough away, 25th of April
- Coventry City, 2nd of May
In addition to the fixtures above, there is also a League Cup clash already in the diary. Watford are due to play Norwich City at Vicarage Road on the 12th of August, a Tuesday night.
What Is the Start Like?
Playing away from home is never ideal but at the same time, starting against a newly promoted side is not so bad first up. Charlton will, of course, be hugely up for it on their return to the second tier, but having finished fourth last term, they might struggle to adapt to life in the Championship and hopefully Watford can cash in.
Ignoring the League Cup clash, the first home game will be against another London side, QPR. Rangers finished last term down in 15th but are a very unpredictable outfit. A change of manager probably won’t help them and so optimistically we are predicting six from six to start the new season!
Swansea away next isn’t too bad in theory either but then the Hornets will face a real test when relegated Southampton come to Vicarage Road. Saints may have struggled badly with the Premier League big boys but they will fancy their chances of an instant return. If Watford can beat them, however, the signs would be really good for the rest of the season.
Key Fixtures
There are various important fixtures to look at and as well as the start of the season, fans also tend to look at the end. The last clash is a home game at the start of May against Coventry, a side that finished last season well but missed out in the play-offs. Both teams will hope to be in the mix for promotion coming into the last day, and so that could be a big game.
Prior to that, in April, the Hornets will face a massive six fixtures. It looks like being a tough month and given how the club ended the 2024/25 campaign, that could be an issue. QPR away and Charlton at home to start April are not too bad, but then comes a trip to Oxford, a game with Sheffield United, and then away trips to West Brom and Boro. With the Coventry game to follow, that represents a really tough finish to the campaign.
Other fixtures for fans to note are those around Christmas. A Boxing Day away-day at Leicester will be tough, with the last game of the year also away, at Norwich. Not very fan-friendly from our point of view. At least 2026 sees Watford start at home, against newly promoted Birmingham, who will be hoping to go straight up to the Premier League after running away with League One last term. Bring it on!
