Exclusive: Lee Hendrie names the EFL Championship sides with the best home atmospheres | OneFootball

Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie has given his thoughts on which club has the loudest atmosphere in the Championship.

With a combined attendance of over 800,000 in the 2024/25 season, the Championship is one of the best-supported football leagues in the world.

And as the 2025/26 campaign approaches, the division is set to be at its breathtaking best with ambitious newcomers, hopeful fanbases under new management, and respective 'giants' of the second tier back in the league following relegation.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie was asked which two clubs he believes have the best home atmosphere in the second tier ahead of the season opener between Birmingham City and Ipswich Town on Friday.

"It's a tricky one" - Lee Hendrie gives atmosphere verdict

"It's a tricky one," said Hendrie. "Because some of the clubs recently relegated, such as Ipswich, have a really good atmosphere at Portman Road."

"But, then you look at Birmingham and Wrexham coming out of League One, you know that if things are going well, you are going to get a bouncing atmosphere.

Birmingham and Wrexham are not looking to mess about in the Championship, with the former already labelled as potential promotion contenders after the signings of Tommy Doyle, Kyogo Furuhashi, Demarai Gray and more.

"I think, if you look at what is happening with the rise of Wrexham and Birmingham, they are really going to have a good go this season, and it would be hard to look beyond those alongside Ipswich regarding the atmosphere this season."

"They would be the three clubs that I would be looking at, where the atmosphere would be bouncing. Particularly if things are going well for them this season."

Birmingham and Ipswich set for mouthwatering season opener

If you could write a script for the 2025/26 Championship season, Birmingham City vs Ipswich would likely be the opening match of the term.

Ipswich were relegated from the Premier League after a one-year stay. However, the Tractor Boys are firm favourites to bounce back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, after keeping hold of the bulk of their squad.

Jaden Philogene, Jack Clarke and Sammie Szmodics all remain after each ripped the Championship apart at previous clubs: Hull, Sunderland and Blackburn. While Ipswich have kept hold of manager Kieran McKenna, who led the club from League One to the Premier League in the space of two years.

Birmingham are fresh out of the third tier after a year away from the Championship. Revitalised and full of ambition, the Blues are looking to make their second-tier stay a short one.

Two clubs who expect to be in the thick of a promotion fight come the business end of the season, Friday's clash would mark a huge statement of intent for either side should they take all three points.

At what is set to be a rapturous St Andrews, Birmingham host Ipswich to get the 2025/26 Championship season underway.