Coventry City have modelled their transfer business in recent seasons on Brighton and Brentford's prudent work, but they will inevitably need to bring in experienced heads for their return to the Premier League.
It remains to be seen if any World Cup players head their way.
The Sky Blues are in the market for a goalkeeper as Carl Rushworth has returned to parent club Brighton following a season-long loan, and they are also looking for defensive reinforcements.
'It definitely made me a better person' - Jones on ACL injuriespublished at 12:25 BST 23 June
12:25 BST 23 June
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Former Coventry City winger Jodi Jones says his three anterior cruciate ligament operations made him a better person, just as former manager Mark Robins said it would.
Jones was sidelined for a total of 897 days during a spell at the Sky Blues, which meant missing 130 games, between November 2017 and August 2021.
He went more than five years between starting league matches, from the day he was first hurt playing for the Sky Blues in League Two, to featuring for Notts County in the National League after being sent out on loan by Oxford United in January 2023.
"Being a footballer is the best job in the world as you get up, you go to training and you play football, but you take it for granted at the time," said Jones on the Sky Blues Fancast.
"When it happened, it was really tough at the time. I remember Mark Robins saying to me 'it will make you a better person and you will be so strong after this,' but at the time you don't really listen.
"Not in a rude way, but because it feels so far away.
"It definitely made me a better person and a better man away from the football field. It's like it happened for a reason.
"It gave me a nice amount of time to focus on becoming a good father and I just worked on things I may have taken for granted before."
And now, after putting his three ACL injuries behind him, Jones is enjoying his time at Notts County and looks forward to playing in League One next season.
"I wouldn't change it for the world," added Jones. "Would I have played at a higher level? Potentially. But I wouldn't have been able to stay at Coventry and create all those amazing memories, or met my partner and have the family I have now.
"Or create the memories that I have at Notts County, which are some of the best of my career."
Keeping Lampard is keypublished at 15:01 BST 22 June
15:01 BST 22 June
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With it now looking increasingly likely that Frank Lampard will remain at Coventry City, this could prove to be one of the best bits of business the club pulls off this summer.
Since his arrival in November 2024, the Sky Blues have taken huge strides on and off the pitch, and the relationship between the chairman and the gaffer appears stronger than ever. A new contract would only reinforce that and strongly suggests Doug King has met Lampard's expectations around this year's transfer budget.
Lampard's impact on the squad has already been clear. Players like Jay Dasilva and Victor Torp have kicked on massively under his coaching, and the prospect of him working with new arrivals is genuinely exciting. Players have bought into the project Lampard has put in front of them and that is encouraging going into the top flight.
But it's not just Lampard. Credit is also due to John Dempster and Chris Jones, who work seamlessly alongside him. Keeping that coaching unit together will be just as important as keeping the manager himself - and maybe even adding to it with Premier League needs in mind.
This feels like the perfect way to kick-start the club's 2026-27 campaign - and with this news expected to land soon, the transfer business should now follow, bringing in real Premier League quality to help Coventry compete with the rest of the division.
Hear BBC Radio CWR discuss whether Lampard is about to sign a new contract by clicking play below, or listen on BBC Sounds here
🎧The Dark Years: Episode three of new Coventry documentarypublished at 08:25 BST 22 June
08:25 BST 22 June
Media caption,
Part three of Back Where We Belong covers one of the most controversial periods in the history of Coventry City, with London-based hedge fund SISU Capital buying the club, when the Sky Blues were on the verge of going into administration.
It was an era defined by uncertainty, financial trouble and a growing sense of helplessness as the Sky Blues began to lose their way.
On the pitch, through a revolving door of leadership, Coventry slipped down into League One.
Fans staged boycotts, demonstrations and public campaigns.
And then came unthinkable: Coventry City FC would leave the city.
Is this the day promotion finally sinks in?published at 18:53 BST 19 June
18:53 BST 19 June
Katie Stafford BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
It's been two months since Coventry City were promoted to the Premier League at Ewood Park, but for many, fixture release day is when promotion really sinks in.
The trip to Arsenal isn't a cup tie - it's the opening game of the Premier League campaign and it is champions versus champions.
The Sky Blues probably could not have been handed a tougher game, but the nerves are far out-weighed by excitement – albeit with two months to go.
Many supporters will have immediately looked for the new grounds they have been eagerly awaiting to tick off. Since Coventry were last in the top flight, multiple teams have moved from their historic homes to newer stadiums, so Everton, Tottenham and Manchester City are all on their checklists.
Then there's the classics like Anfield and Stamford Bridge, which anyone under the age of 26 will not have ever visited on a Sky Blues matchday.
Old Trafford, of course, falls into the classics bracket, but Coventry have played there once since being relegated in 2001.
On 26 September 2007, a Michael Misfud brace knocked Manchester United out of the League Cup in the third round in front of 11,000 Sky Blues supporters. And after taking the Red Devils to penalties in the FA Cup semi-final just three seasons ago, Coventry will be hoping they can cause another upset and seek revenge for that ending on 5 December.
Derby days will also look different - swapping Leicester City and Birmingham City for Aston Villa. That will inevitably be tasty.
Coventry will need to add to their Championship-winning squad in order to make the step up to the Premier League, but there is a real optimism among the fan base with Frank Lampard at the helm.
The supporters are strapped in and ready for the 2026-27 ride.
Hit play below to hear supporters reacting to the fixture list on BBC CWR's Sky Blues Fancast Live or listen here on BBC Sounds
'Anything over 10 points would be fantastic' - fans on opening fixturespublished at 16:54 BST 19 June
16:54 BST 19 June
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We asked for your views on Coventry City's 2026-27 fixtures and how many points you expect from the first 10 games.
Here are some of your comments:
Declan:Arsenal and Manchester City in the first three games - not sure we'll get off to a great start.
Theo: After 10 games in with some tough fixtures, Coventry will be on 14 points. Their best win will be 1-0 against Arsenal on the opening day.
Chris: Let's be honest, anything over 10 points would be fantastic. If we can reach the 15-mark by the end of the year, that puts us in a good position.
Andrew: Honestly, could be worse. This will be a rough season, sure, but Frank Lampard could keep us up, I'm sure of it.
Clive: As tough a start (away games) and end to season (home games) as could be imagined. But we are steady, focused, and eager to impress, back in the top league. Season ticket renewed!
Kiefer: 30 points after 10 games, we're winning the league.
Opening home match with Hull pivotal for Coventrypublished at 16:15 BST 19 June
16:15 BST 19 June
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
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It is no surprise to see Coventry given the 2026-27 Premier League opener at Arsenal.
Their first top-flight match for 25 years will see the Championship title winners against the Premier League champions and shows the Sky Blues they are back in the big time.
It can be viewed as a daunting start, with a trip to Manchester City on 5 September too, but the visit of Hull to the CBS Arena for their first home game of the season will be a special occasion.
It is also an immediate reminder of the fight for survival, with the Tigers - the play-off winners - and the Sky Blues two of the favourites for an instant return to the Championship. Victory in that game is vital for both sides.
The first game of the last season ended in a 0-0 draw between the two at the CBS Arena, a match which did not hint of the success to come.
Fellow promoted side Ipswich come to Coventry on 2 December, with a trip to Portman Road swiftly following a month later.
The visit of Aston Villa on 12 December will be a grudge match for Coventry fans, their Midlands rivals having sent them down in 2001.
Frank Lampard's side were fearless and free-scoring title winners last term and they will take that confidence into the new campaign.
How do you feel about Coventry's 2026-27 fixtures?published at 13:20 BST 19 June
13:20 BST 19 June
Now you have seen the 2026-27 fixtures, what kind of start do you think the Sky Blues will have under Frank Lampard? How many points do you expect after the first 10 games?
Arsenal curtain-raiser is one Lampard and fans 'will be relishing'published at 12:27 BST 19 June
12:27 BST 19 June
Rob Gurney BBC CWR sports editor
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Nothing says "welcome back to the Premier League", after 25 years away, than successive away games at reigning champions Arsenal and last season's runners-up Manchester City, does it?!
The campaign's curtain-raiser, at Emirates Stadium on Friday, 21 August is a mouthwatering, if daunting, prospect, clearly.
But it's one that Frank Lampard and his coaching staff, as well as the Sky Blue Army, will be relishing, together with hopefully a squad capable of at least competing, if not thriving, on the club's long-awaited return to the top flight.
The first home game, against play-off winners Hull City, looks a bit more inviting, although fans will remember - not too fondly, perhaps - 0-0 draws in both Championship fixtures last season.
Supporters rubbing their hands at the prospect of Aston Villa's first ever visit to the CBS Arena will have to wait until December, with the return at Villa Park the last game of April - bringing back the inevitably painful memories of what happened there in May 2001.
Other standout fixtures include Lampard's former club Chelsea being scheduled for a tasty Boxing Day trip to the Arena and 2027 beginning with a trip to Anfield. Meanwhile, the couple of new grounds for supporters to tick off are Tottenham in mid-October, followed by Everton in early November.
The run-in sees Manchester United at home, Newcastle away, Spurs at home, before the last two of Fulham at Craven Cottage - where City completed the double over them the last time the west Londoners were in the Championship - and finally Nottingham Forest make the short journey across on Sunday May 30.
Fingers crossed it'll be a memorable first season back for all the right reasons, and BBC CWR is once again proud to be able to bring fans commentary on every twist and turn, via FM, DAB Digital Radio and Freeview... so Play Up Sky Blues!
Hit play below to hear my BBC CWR colleague Will Oelrich reacting to the fixtures, or listen on BBC Sounds here
Home kit launch at COV Store openingpublished at 12:13 BST 19 June
12:13 BST 19 June
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Coventry City's 2026-27 home kit will be released to coincide with the opening of the new COV Store at the Coventry Building Society Arena on Thursday, 2 July.
The club says by doing so it is "bringing together two major moments in Coventry City's return to the top flight".
The COV Store will have two new areas that reflect the club's heritage in the motor industry: The Drive Experience, with racing simulators and a social fan experience, and The Story, a re-programmable exhibition periodically.
"We are excited to be launching our new store," said owner Doug King. "The COV Store will give Sky Blues fans a more premium shopping offering and a new social space with truly immersive experiences, both on and off matchdays."
Quinn hat-trick and Mabbutt pelters - your opening-day memoriespublished at 08:40 BST 19 June
08:40 BST 19 June
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With the countdown to the 2026-27 Premier League fixture release well and truly on, we asked for your stories of opening-day games - both good and bad - that have stuck in your minds most. And you delivered.
Here are some of your replies:
Neil: Beating Arsenal 3-0 away from home at the start of 1993-94 with a Mick Quinn hat-trick. It was a great away day. Beating Chelsea 3-2 and 2-1 on consecutive opening days in 1997 and 1998 was also fun. Dion Dublin and Hucks [Darren Huckerby] ripped them apart. The worst opening-day memory, without doubt, was getting beat 3-0 by Nottingham Forest at home. I spent a few quid, there were real positive vibes around the club and the balloon was pricked pretty quickly.
Mike: August 2021, the fans return after Covid and the day Coventry returned home after exile in Birmingham. A last-minute Kyle McFadzean winner against Nottingham Forest in my first game as a season ticket-holder in 20 years. Glorious.
Martin: First Coventry game of 1987-88 was a replay of the 1987 FA Cup final against Tottenham. We were all going nuts at our first home game after the win, it was an incredible atmosphere. David Speedie was our new star signing and he scored. Poor Gary Mabbutt got pelters all afternoon after his own goal in the final, including: "There's only one Gary Mabbutt!" But it was nice to see him get a consolation goal in a 2-1 win for us.
Richard: Dion Dublin's hat-trick against Chelsea, including a late winner to make it 3-2. It was back when Huckerby, Dublin and Gary McAllister were in their prime. And we managed to get one over Frank Leboeuf.
David: I bought a season ticket for the 1981-82 season. We had moved away from Coventry when I was six years old, but being at Aston University meant I could get to enough games to justify the purchase. This was the new all-seater Highfield Road and what made it memorable was that my assigned seat did not exist! An admin error, I assume, which was subsequently resolved. On the day, I was given an alternative seat and was able to enjoy us beating Manchester United.
Come back to this page at 10:00 BST to see how the Sky Blues' 2026-27 Premier League fixtures have fallen
'A great focal point that Coventry are lacking'published at 19:03 BST 18 June
19:03 BST 18 June
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We asked you which players you have watched at the World Cup that you think would be a great fit at Coventry.
Here are a couple of your ideas:
Richard: There are obviously lots of incredible players at this year's World Cup. Most have yet to really shine. However, I think a player that would suit Coventry City would be Chris Wood. He would be a great focal point that Coventry are lacking.
Andrew: Would be great to John Stones into the squad. I think the younger talent will greatly benefit from any experience he can share with them and he is still a world-class player. Come and join the magic with us, John.
Gossip: Coventry interested in midfielder Gomespublished at 07:56 BST 17 June
07:56 BST 17 June
Marseille are open to offers for England midfielder Angel Gomes, with newly-promoted Premier League pair Coventry and Hull City among the clubs interested in the 25-year-old, who ended last season on loan at Wolves. (Teamtalk), external
Are season tickets a case of supply and demand?published at 19:57 BST 16 June
19:57 BST 16 June
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Coventry City fans Ryan Cowley and Danny Finlay have been discussing the season-ticket pricing for the Sky Blues' first season back in the Premier League since 2000-01.
The cheapest adult season ticket will be £625 and premium zone season tickets have been fixed at £800 across all age groups.
"I'm not too displeased about my own season ticket," Finlay told BBC Radio CWR's Sky Blues Fancast. "I'm just a standard holder so it will be £625 for me. I expected a £100 to £150 increase because we are playing in the Premier League.
"Let's get it right, it is a big jump. There is going to be a big jump in everything next season, whether that's on the pitch or off the pitch and experiences at home games or away games, so we're hoping we're going to be getting more for our money.
"The club has got some things wrong again, though. The children's season-ticket prices are still too high - we are talking double the price in most cases. The premium areas have also had a big price hike as well.
"I'm not too displeased with my season ticket, but there will definitely be grumbles in terms of the family and children season-ticket prices."
Cowley added: "If you're a family of four, you could afford a holiday to somewhere exotic rather than 'Costa del Coventry' for the same price.
"Some will say Doug King has got it 100% right for where they are sitting, but I think there were a few zeros added on to the end of the hospitality seats which looked alarming on paper.
"Some people will pay it, and it is a case of supply and demand, but the issue is £3,200 for four people to sit in a prime area is a lot of money.
"If we stay up this season, we will be paying these prices at a minimum year-on-year, so then it doesn't become affordable for some families of four - but these are the choices you make.
"A lot of supporters would say you would have to put another zero on the end of them to stop them coming to support their club."
What are your best and worst opening-day memories?published at 16:12 BST 16 June
16:12 BST 16 June
The World Cup may be less than a week old but the 2026-27 Premier League fixtures will be released on Friday.
And to get in the mood for Coventry's long-awaited return to the top flight, we want your stories of opening-day games that have stuck in your minds most - both the good and the bad.
Wright's international involvement 'a massive headscratcher'published at 12:31 BST 16 June
12:31 BST 16 June
Media caption,
Haji Wright's lack of international minutes in the build up to and at the World Cup is "baffling", says BBC Radio CWR's Rob Gurney.
The United States international featured 40 times for Frank Lampard's Championship-winning side in 2025-26, scoring 17 goals and contributing one assist.
"Haji Wright didn't get a single minute in the United States v Paraguay game," Gurney said. "He wasn't given a single minute in the build up to the tournament either.
"Folarin Balogun is obviously miles ahead of him in terms of where he is in his career and the fact that he plays for Monaco, but if Mauricio Pochettino isn't going to play him at all then what was the point in selecting him for the squad in the first place?
"The situation is a massive headscratcher for me, it really is. Even the goalkeepers were given some game time in the friendlies leading up to the World Cup, so I don't really know what Pochettino's thinking is towards him.
"Wright got 17 goals in the Championship last season, so it isn't as if he is struggling for form. It is a curious one, unless he is nursing a knock which hasn't been shared more widely with the media.
"If United States win their next group-stage game and he doesn't get any minutes in their third fixture, I will find that really baffling."
Image source, Getty Images
