On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, West Bromwich Albion will welcome local rivals Birmingham City to The Hawthorns in a rare midweek Sky Bet Championship clash — the only Wednesday fixture for the Baggies in November. Kickoff is set for 8:00 PM GMT, and with tickets going on sale to loyal supporters on Monday, November 10, 2025, anticipation is already building in the West Midlands. This isn’t just another league game. It’s the latest chapter in a 147-year rivalry that cuts through the heart of English football culture — one that’s been played out on rain-slicked pitches, in roaring crowds, and under the fluorescent glare of televised Wednesday nights.
November’s Fixture Calendar: A Month of Momentum
West Bromwich Albion’s November schedule is anything but routine. After opening the month with a home game against Oxford United on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 3:00 PM GMT, the team will travel to Coventry City’s CBS Arena on November 22 for a 12:30 PM GMT kickoff — a fixture that could define their mid-table push. Then, after the Birmingham showdown, they’ll wrap up the month with a home match against Swansea City on November 29, again at 3:00 PM GMT. The rhythm is deliberate: home, away, home, home. For manager Carlos Corberán, aged 42, it’s a chance to build continuity. This is his fifth straight season at the helm, and with West Brom still searching for consistent top-half form, every point matters.And then there’s the atmosphere. The Hawthorns, with its 26,688 all-seater capacity, has been West Brom’s fortress since 1900. After the Taylor Report forced all-seater stadiums following Hillsborough, the ground was rebuilt — losing nearly 1,500 seats but gaining safety, comfort, and modernity. The roar of the crowd on Wednesday nights? It’s different. Quieter, perhaps, but more intense. Families, students, and season-ticket holders pack the stands. It’s not just football — it’s community.
Women’s Team Takes Center Stage
While the men’s team draws headlines, the West Bromwich Albion Women’s Team, led by manager Siobhan Hodgetts-Still, aged 38, is quietly building something special. Their November slate is packed: five matches in three competitions, all at 2:00 PM GMT kickoffs. They open with a home fixture against Middlesbrough on November 2 at the Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr. Then come Leeds United in the FA WNL Cup, an away trip to Guardian Warehousing Arena in Willenhall to face Sporting Khalsa, and two more home games — against Cambridge United in the FA Cup and Halifax to close the month.It’s a grueling schedule — but one that reflects growth. The women’s team has climbed from regional leagues to national competition, and the fact they’re playing at the Alexander Stadium — a venue once reserved for athletics — signals a new level of institutional support. Attendance has doubled since 2022. Parents bring their daughters. Teenagers wear the kit. This isn’t just development. It’s legacy.
Behind the Scenes: Ownership, Structure, and the Road Ahead
West Bromwich Albion, founded in 1878 as West Bromwich Strollers, has weathered financial storms, managerial changes, and relegation battles. Since 2020, they’ve remained in the Championship, a league where promotion is a dream and survival a victory. The club is now owned by Yunyi Guokai (Shanghai) Sports Development Limited, a Chinese investment group that took control in 2021. Chairman Jeremy Peace and CEO Luke Lillingstone have emphasized stability over flashy spending — a strategy that’s paid off in lower debt and a more sustainable model.Still, questions linger. Why hasn’t the club returned to the Premier League? Why do attendances still lag behind rivals like Stoke or Wolves? The answer isn’t simple. It’s about culture, investment, and the slow, grinding work of rebuilding trust. The women’s team’s rise, the academy’s renewed focus, and the loyalty of the fanbase suggest a foundation is forming. But it’s not enough to host a midweek derby. They need to win it.
The Birmingham City Rivalry: More Than Just Geography
The West Midlands derby is one of English football’s oldest — dating back to 1880. It’s not just about proximity. It’s about identity. West Brom, the working-class club with a proud cup-winning history (1954 FA Cup, 1968 League Cup). Birmingham City, the city’s other team, once a top-flight force, now fighting for relevance. The last meeting in March 2024 ended 2-1 to West Brom, but the tension lingers. The stadium buzzes differently when these two teams meet. Fans chant louder. Players dig deeper. The match isn’t just three points — it’s pride.And with the fixture falling on a Wednesday night, it’s a chance for families, workers, and students to come together. The club’s ticketing strategy — prioritizing those with booking history — shows they understand loyalty. This isn’t a corporate spectacle. It’s a local tradition.
What’s Next?
The Birmingham Senior Cup first-round tie against Coventry United remains unconfirmed — date, time, venue still TBD. But the fact West Brom are even in the competition speaks volumes. It’s a tournament for reserve sides and lower-tier clubs, yet West Brom’s participation signals respect for regional football. Their PL2 squad — the development team — also has November fixtures, though details are sparse. That’s where the future is being shaped. Young players like 17-year-old striker Kieran O’Hara, recently signed from the academy, could be watching from the stands on November 26, dreaming of their own moment.Frequently Asked Questions
When do tickets go on sale for the West Brom vs. Birmingham City match?
Tickets for the November 26, 2025, match go on sale to supporters with a booking history on Monday, November 10, 2025. General sale for all other fans begins the same day. The club is prioritizing loyal fans due to high demand, with only 26,688 seats available at The Hawthorns. Online sales will open at 9:00 AM GMT, and the club warns that matches against Birmingham City typically sell out within hours.
Why is the West Brom vs. Birmingham City match on a Wednesday?
Midweek fixtures in the Championship are often scheduled to accommodate televised matches, stadium availability, and FA Cup replays. The November 26 date avoids clashes with other regional fixtures and allows for a national broadcast slot. Wednesday nights are traditionally popular for local derbies — the atmosphere is different, the crowd more diverse, and the stakes feel higher.
How has West Bromwich Albion’s ownership affected the club’s performance?
Since Chinese group Yunyi Guokai took over in 2021, West Brom has avoided financial turmoil and maintained Championship stability. Debt has been reduced, youth investment increased, and managerial turnover slowed. But critics argue the lack of major signings and failure to push for promotion suggests limited ambition. The club’s current approach prioritizes sustainability over short-term glory — a gamble that’s working, but slowly.
Where do the West Brom Women’s Team play their home games?
The women’s team plays home matches at the Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr, Birmingham, a 12,000-capacity athletics venue that was upgraded in 2022 to meet FA Women’s National League standards. The Guardian Warehousing Arena in Willenhall hosts their away fixtures. The choice of these venues reflects a strategic push to elevate the women’s team’s profile — playing in public, accessible locations rather than tucked-away training grounds.
Has West Bromwich Albion ever won the FA Cup?
Yes. West Bromwich Albion won the FA Cup five times — in 1888, 1892, 1931, 1954, and 1968. Their 1954 victory, a 3-2 win over Preston North End, remains one of the most iconic in the competition’s history. The club’s last major trophy came in 1968, and despite several near-misses in the 1980s and 2000s, they’ve yet to lift silverware since. That history looms large for fans hoping this generation can bring glory back.
What’s the significance of The Hawthorns stadium to the club’s identity?
The Hawthorns has been West Brom’s home since 1900 — longer than any other club has occupied its current ground in England. It’s where legends like Jeff Astle and Cyrille Regis played. The 2001 redevelopment after the Taylor Report turned it into a modern, safe arena, but it still retains its intimate, intimidating feel. The ground’s location on Birmingham Road, just minutes from the town center, makes it a true community hub. For many fans, it’s not just a stadium — it’s where their fathers took them, and where they’ll take their children.