Burnley to host West Ham in Championship opener at Turf Moor
Burnley is set to begin their Championship campaign at home against West Ham United on Sunday, with kick-off scheduled for 4pm. This match marks the first time in 14 years that these two clubs will face each other in the Championship.
Both teams share a history, including a claret-and-blue strip and a recent return to the second tier. West Ham is widely considered a strong contender to finish first in the division. Burnley, on the other hand, is predicted by Opta to potentially finish sixth, though they have a track record of achieving automatic promotion, having done so in their last four Championship seasons.
Matchday Information for Supporters
Supporters attending the match at Turf Moor are encouraged to arrive early. The home team bus is expected to arrive at the north-east corner of the stadium, opposite the Fan Zone, and fans are invited to welcome Head Coach Nicky Hayen and the team from 2:15pm.
Entry to the turnstiles will open at 2pm for both home and visiting supporters. Due to increased search measures and additional spot checks, fans arriving less than 20 minutes before kick-off might not be in their seats by the start of the match. Photo ID may be checked as part of the standard ticketing policy.
The club has transitioned to digital ticketing for the 2026/27 season. Supporters are advised to download their digital tickets before arriving at the stadium. Free WiFi will be available at the turnstiles to facilitate access to digital tickets.
For those looking for refreshments, there will be a 25% discount on food and drink available in the concourse between 2pm and 3pm. All concourse food and beverage services will operate on a cashless basis.
Stadium Access and Conduct
Harry Potts Way will close to traffic at 2pm, and Yorkshire Street is also expected to be congested on matchdays. The club advises fans to be considerate when parking on residential roads around Turf Moor.
The Clarets Store will be open from 10am until 4pm, and the Ticket Office will operate from 10am until 4:30pm. The Fan Zone will be open before the game, from 1pm to 3:30pm.
A matchday programme, titled ‘Turf’, will be available in print from the Clarets Store or from sellers around the stadium. It can also be purchased online for delivery.
The safety of all participants is a priority. Supporters are reminded to adhere to the ground regulations, remain in their seats, and not enter the playing area at any time, as this is a criminal offence that could result in a criminal record and stadium bans. Throwing items onto the pitch is also against regulations and will lead to severe banning orders.
Burnley Football Club maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards hate speech and discrimination. Any discriminatory behaviour or offensive chanting witnessed or experienced at Turf Moor should be reported by texting ‘REPORT’ to 80800, providing seat details and a description of the incident, or by contacting a steward or using the Kick it Out app. Those responsible for offensive chanting may be ejected from the stadium and arrested.
West Ham’s manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, has previously led a team to the top of this division, specifically Wolves in the 2017-18 season. Burnley’s manager, Nicky Hayen, has spent six months in British football with Haverfordwest County in the Cymru Premier, and has won a league title in Belgium with Club Brugge. West Ham has a strong recent record against Burnley, having won five and drawn three of their last eight encounters.
An additional Digital Coffee Morning session for supporters to assist with the transition to digital ticketing will take place on Saturday, August 15th, from 10am to 2pm in the Jimmy McIlroy Lounge.
Source: theguardian.com