Burnley set to face West Ham in Championship opener

Burnley’s 2026/27 Championship season officially begins this weekend with a match against West Ham.

The two relegated teams will clash at Turf Moor on Sunday (4pm kick-off) as new manager Nicky Hayen leads his side in his first competitive league match.

The Clarets will be looking to break their long wait for a home league victory, which has now extended beyond 300 days.

The Hammers enter the season as title contenders, having finished 17 and 19 points ahead of Burnley and Wolves respectively.

Who is the referee for Burnley v West Ham?

Josh Smith from Peterborough.

He officiated Lincoln City’s 2-1 Carabao Cup first round victory over Derby County on Saturday, issuing three yellow cards.

Reflecting on last season, Smith oversaw 33 matches, distributing 115 yellow cards - averaging 3.4 per game - along with eight red cards.

He was also the referee for the League One play-off final at the end of last season, where Bolton Wanderers secured promotion with a 4-1 win over Stockport County at Wembley.

In that final, Smith sent off Stockport’s Josh Dacres-Cogley in the last minute, after already issuing two bookings.

Smith began his refereeing career in 2006 at the age of 14, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, who both officiated football and rugby league respectively. Source: Burnley Express