Sheffield Wednesday are racing against the clock to get Hillsborough ready for the new season, with chairman David Storch urging supporters to judge the club’s progress by their first home game on August 20.
What’s happening at Sheffield Wednesday right now?
Less than three months after Arise Capital Partners took control of the club, work is in full swing at both Hillsborough and the Middlewood Road training base. The Owls, sitting 24th in the Championship with zero points from 46 games last season, are desperate to turn the page after a forgettable 2025/26 campaign. Storch and his team have already pumped funds into squad rebuilds and ground upgrades, with cosmetic changes visible at the training ground. The Owls’ first home league game of the season is a Yorkshire derby against Bradford City on August 20, just under five weeks away.
Storch’s message to fans is simple: judge us by what you see on the pitch come August 20. “This is your club,” he posted on X. “We aim to put the fun back into football for each & every one of you.” The chairman also revealed he’ll meet the squad during their pre-season tour of Hungary and Austria, where the Owls will spend five days in Budapest before heading to Vienna for two more days of preparation.
Why Storch’s ‘fun’ focus matters for the Owls
Storch’s emphasis on excitement and positivity isn’t just talk. The Owls’ recent form reads LWLLL, with their last result a 0-3 loss to West Brom on July 11 leaving supporters frustrated. The club’s 29 goals scored and 89 conceded last season (-60 goal difference) underline the scale of the rebuild. But Storch insists the Arise consortium is committed to long-term investment, not quick fixes. “We have committed to keep you informed, invest in infrastructure and quality of play on the pitch,” he said.
The Owls’ next fixture is a Carabao Cup first-round clash at home to Bolton Wanderers on August 8, giving Storch’s side a chance to showcase early progress before the league opener. The squad’s pre-season tour, which kicked off with a 3-2 win at Preston North End on July 19, is seen as a key step in rebuilding momentum.
What comes next for Sheffield Wednesday?
Fans are counting down the days until the new season, with Hillsborough undergoing final touches to welcome them back. Storch’s call for patience comes as the club sits 95 points behind league leaders Coventry, but the Owls’ recent pre-season performances-like the win at Preston-offer a glimmer of hope. The Owls’ next outing is a trip to Bolton on August 8, a game that could set the tone for the campaign ahead.
With just over a month until the Bradford City derby, every hour at Hillsborough is being used to ensure the club is ready. Storch’s vision is clear: “Let’s have fun together.” And for Wednesdayites, the wait for that fun to start is nearly over.
