West Ham United 2026/27 Season Preview
West Ham United Blog
West Ham Detailed 2026/27 Season Preview: Insights, Predictions and Everything You Need To Know
Despite heading in a downwards trajectory since the departure of David Moyes, not many West Ham fans would have expected the Irons to be where they currently find themselves.
After nearly 15 years in the top flight, including multiple qualifications for Europe and a move into the 60,000 capacity London Stadium in the Olympic Park in Stratford, West Ham United suffered relegation in the 25/26 season and will take part in the EFL Championship this coming campaign.
BREAKING: West Ham have been relegated from the Premier League! pic.twitter.com/vH20vUQFW4
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 24, 2026
The season began under Graham Potter, but a poor start to the season which followed an initial poor start as manager during the previous term saw the Englishman sacked in September and replaced with outgoing Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo. But, despite some strong results, the Hammers were relegated on the final day despite winning 3-0, with Tottenham defeating Everton to clinch safety.
Best Result: Tottenham 1-2 West Ham (Summerville 15', Wilson 90+3'; Romero 64')
Worst Result: Wolves 3-0 West Ham (Arias 4', Hwang 31' (Pen), Mane 41')
Who Have West Ham Signed In The Transfer Window So Far?
West Ham have been busy in the transfer market, but so far mainly in sales with Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville departing in big money moves alongside Freddie Potts, Callum WIlson and Adama Traoré.
However, the core group of the squad so far seems to be sticking around, including captain Jarrod Bowen. The most expensive addition so far has been winger Manor Solomon from Tottenham in a £5 million move, former Brighton defender Joel Veltman has joined on a free transfer and Keiber Lamadrid, a 22-year-old Venezuelan winger, has also joined the Hammers from Deportivo La Guaira.
Incoming Signings:
Manor Solomon - Tottenham Hotspur (£5 million)
Joel Veltman - Brighton & Hove Albion, Free
Keiber Lamadrid - Deportivo La Guaira (£1 million)
Outgoing Sales
Mateus Fernandes - Tottenham (£84 million)
Crysencio Summerville - Al-Hilal (£55 million)
Freddie Potts - Club Brugge (£8.5 million)
Callum Wilson - Brentford, Free
Lukasz Fabianśki - Retired
West Ham 2026/27 Squad (As of 11/8/26)
Goalkeepers: Mads Hermansen, Alphonse Areola, Finlay Herrick
Defenders: Kyle Walker-Peters, Maximilian Kilman, El Hadji Malik Diouf, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Jean-Clair Todibo, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Ollie Scarles, Joel Veltman, Kaelan Casey, Airdias Golambeckis, Ezra Mayers
Midfielders: Edson Alvarez, James Ward-Prowse, Mohamadou Kante, Keiber Lamadrid, Soungoutou Magassa, Tomas Soucek, George Earthy, Lewis Orford
Forwards: Taty Castellanos, Pablo, Jarrod Bowen (C), Maxwel Cornet, Joshua Ajala, Niclas Fullkrug
West Ham 26/27 Kits
Home:
Solomon signs ✍️@CorpayFX pic.twitter.com/ZECpGkUawh
— West Ham United (@WestHam) August 11, 2026
Away:
West Ham United unveil their 2026/27 away kit by New Balance ⚒️
— Kit Haven (@_kithaven) August 7, 2026
A clean white design featuring claret & blue trim, a standalone Crossed Hammers crest and subtle Boleyn Tavern-inspired detailing woven into the fabric. A classy nod to the club’s heritage. pic.twitter.com/Hn5n0wizKd
Third:
Completing West Ham United’s 2026-27 EFL Championship matchwear collection is a new Third kit produced by New Balance.
— Football Shirt Culture (@footballshirt) August 7, 2026
Read more: https://t.co/Wsg0SH4Tca#whufc | Football Shirt Culture | Soccer Jersey | Camiseta de Futbol pic.twitter.com/8w4BkXchNd
What Is West Ham's Opening Championship Fixture?
West Ham take on fellow relegated side and likely promotion contenders Burnley in their opening match of the 26/27 EFL Championship season in a headline clash in the second tier.
The match takes place at 4pm, Sunday 16th August and will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event
When Do West Ham play rivals Millwall in 2026/27?
At last, one of English football's fiecest rivalries is back as West Ham and Millwall will clash in one of the most heavily anticpated fixtures of the English football league season.
The opening derby between the two will take place on September 19th at the Den in a 12:30pm kick-off, whilst the return fixture at the London Stadium is currently scheduled for 21st February at 12pm.
Who is West Ham's Manager for the 26/27 Season?
Nuno Espirito Santo
Despite early talk of the Portuguese manager leaving West Ham following the sides relegation, Nuno Espirto Santo will be sticking around at London Stadium to try and get the Hammers back up to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
BREAKING: Nuno Espirito Santo will remain as West Ham head coach in the Championship next season 🚨 pic.twitter.com/e0hzBTJVxa
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 27, 2026
The news of Santo staying should be good news for Hammers fans based on the coach's last outing in the English second tier, where he led Wolverhampton Wanderers to one of the most impressive title winning seasons in the history of the division, before leading the Black Country club to 7th in the Premier League the following campaign.
Whether he can repeat that trick in East London will have to be seen, but the squad is certainly capable of something memorible.
Who Is West Ham's Player to Watch?
Jarrod Bowen
Perhaps the greatest piece of busniess West Ham could have done this window was keeping their talisman, and they have done just that, with captain Jarrod Bowen agreeing to a new contract with the club whilst citing it as his mission to get West Ham promoted at the first time of asking.
🚨⚒️ Jarrod Bowen STAYS at West Ham and will play for #WHUFC in Championship next season.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 17, 2026
He’s signed revised contract at the club and his decision is to continue at West Ham.
The captain stays. ©️ pic.twitter.com/AEhbvawc4Y
The forward will no doubt be one of the best players to play in the second tier in recent memory, having established himself as one of the Premier League's best wingers in recent years. The 29-year-old has become a modern day Hammers legend since his move to the club in 2020 from Hull City, scoring a total of 86 times in 281 appearances, including a late winner in the 2023 UEFA Conference League final.
If West Ham do get promoted, Bowen will be the at the very heart of any success they may have.
West Ham 26/27 Season Prediction
Football Park's Prediction: 1st
West Ham, for now, have kept the majority of the squad from last season together, and that squad is more than capable of taking the EFL Championship by storm.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have also kept much of their talent, trimmed the fat and added strong players like Raul Jimenez and Kieran Trippier and will be strong rivals for the top two, but West Ham may just edge them out as the league title winners.
Harry Pascoe 
Simon Miller 
