Bolton Wanderers are back in the Championship and back to winning ways. A 2-1 home victory over Preston North End gave the promoted side the opening-day result their supporters wanted.
A return to remember
Seven years after their last second-tier campaign, Bolton began the new Championship season with three points at the University of Bolton Stadium. The 2-1 scoreline was enough to turn a long-awaited return into a day of celebration.
Bolton earned promotion with a 4-1 win over Stockport County in May's League One play-off final. Saturday did not settle anything about the season ahead, but it gave the club a confident start in the division it worked so hard to reach.
Preston made Bolton work for it
Preston left with nothing from the opening fixture, but the one-goal margin kept the occasion honest. For Bolton, the important part is the result: a first Championship win before the first week of the campaign is complete.
There will be tougher afternoons ahead, as there always are after promotion. This one belongs to the supporters who waited seven years to see the Championship back in Bolton and were rewarded with a home win.
Result
Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Preston North End
Championship, 15 August 2026
University of Bolton Stadium
Follow the Bolton vs Preston match centre for the fixture record.
Sources: LiveFootballNow schedule and the EFL promotion report.