Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City are the three teams promoted from the EFL Championship to the Premier League for the 2026–27 season.
Coventry secured promotion as Championship winners, while Ipswich finished second to claim the other automatic promotion place. Hull completed the promoted trio by winning the Championship playoffs.
Which teams were promoted to the Premier League in 2026?
The three promoted clubs are:
- Coventry City — Championship champions
- Ipswich Town — Championship runners-up
- Hull City — Championship playoff winners
Coventry and Ipswich earned automatic promotion by occupying the top two positions in the final league table. Hull took the third and final place through the playoffs, defeating Middlesbrough in the final at Wembley Stadium.
Coventry City promoted as Championship winners
Coventry City finished first in the 2025–26 EFL Championship, earning both the league title and automatic promotion.
Their success marks a long-awaited return to the top flight. Coventry last competed in the Premier League during the 2000–01 season, meaning their promotion ends an absence of more than two decades.
For supporters, the achievement represents another major step in the club’s recovery following years of financial, ownership and stadium-related difficulties.
Ipswich Town secure automatic promotion
Ipswich Town finished second behind Coventry to secure the Championship’s other automatic promotion position.
The result sends Ipswich straight back to the Premier League following their relegation at the end of the 2024–25 campaign. By responding immediately, the Tractor Boys avoided an extended stay in English football’s second tier.
Ipswich’s promotion also continues an eventful recent period for the club, which returned to the Premier League in 2024 after achieving consecutive promotions from League One and the Championship.
Hull City win the Championship playoffs
Hull City became the final promoted team by beating Middlesbrough in the 2026 Championship playoff final.
The Tigers won 1–0 at Wembley to secure their return to the Premier League. Hull had previously competed in the top flight during the 2016–17 season, making this their first Premier League campaign in a decade.
Promotion through the playoffs followed a dramatic end to the regular season in which Hull secured the final playoff position. They then successfully navigated the knockout stages before overcoming Middlesbrough in the final.
Who did the promoted teams replace?
Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City replace the three clubs relegated from the Premier League at the end of the 2025–26 season:
- West Ham United
- Burnley
- Wolverhampton Wanderers
The three promoted teams will compete in the 2026–27 Premier League alongside the 17 clubs that retained their top-flight status.
How does Championship promotion work?
Three teams are promoted from the EFL Championship to the Premier League each season.
The clubs finishing first and second receive automatic promotion. Teams in the playoff positions then compete for the final Premier League place, with the winners of the playoff final earning promotion.
For 2025–26, the promotion places were decided as follows:
| Promotion route | Club |
|---|---|
| Championship winners | Coventry City |
| Championship runners-up | Ipswich Town |
| Playoff winners | Hull City |
Frequently asked questions
Who won the Championship in 2026?
Coventry City won the 2025–26 EFL Championship and earned automatic promotion to the Premier League.
Which teams earned automatic promotion in 2026?
Coventry City and Ipswich Town secured the two automatic promotion places.
Who won the 2026 Championship playoff final?
Hull City won the playoff final, beating Middlesbrough 1–0 at Wembley.
When were Hull City last in the Premier League?
Hull City last played in the Premier League during the 2016–17 season.
When were Coventry City last in the Premier League?
Coventry City’s previous Premier League season was 2000–01.
Conclusion
Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City will play in the Premier League during the 2026–27 season. Coventry and Ipswich qualified automatically, while Hull claimed the final promotion place through the Championship playoffs.
The new campaign will bring a particularly notable return for Coventry after more than two decades outside the top flight, an immediate Premier League comeback for Ipswich and Hull’s first appearance in the competition for ten years.
Source: Premier League.