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For clubs in the lower leagues of England, earning a spot in the Premier League is like reaching the promised land.
Each year, three teams are brought up from the second tier of English football, known as the EFL Championship, to replace the three relegated sides that get sent down from the top flight.
Promotion to the Premier League not only comes with a massive boost in club prestige, but also brings along with it a massive financial windfall, as the three new participants are able to reap the benefits of the Premier League's financial might.
The Sporting News brings you a look at who is in line to earn promotion to the Premier League at the end of the 2025/26 season, set to be brought into the top level of football competition for the upcoming 2026/27 campaign.
MORE: A look at the Premier League teams to be relegated from the EPL in 2026
Premier League teams promoted 2026
On April 17, it was confirmed that Coventry City had been promoted back to the English top flight as they drew 1-1 with Blackburn Rovers to put them 10 points clear at the top of the Championship table.
The race for the second place in the standings was still extremely tight with just a few matches remaining in the season, and it went to the final day in the end.
Ipswich Town took that second spot thanks to a 3-0 victory over QPR.
Table updated after final round of games
| Pos. | Club | GP | Pts | W-D-L | GD |
| 1. | Coventry City* | 46 | 95 | 28-11-7 | +52 |
| 2. | Ipswich Town* | 46 | 84 | 23-15-8 | +33 |
| 3. | Millwall | 46 | 83 | 24-11-11 | +15 |
| 4. | Southampton | 46 | 80 | 22-14-10 | +26 |
| 5. | Middlesbrough | 46 | 80 | 22-14-10 | +25 |
* Mathematically confirmed promotion to the Premier League
Who is in the Championship playoffs?
After the top-two spots earn automatic promotion, clubs who finish third through sixth will reach the four-team promotion playoff, competing to earn the final spot.
The four teams that will contest this mini-tournament are Millwall, Southampton, Middlesbrough, and Hull City. Wrexham missed out after a 2-2 draw with Boro allowed Hull to climb above them into sixth.
Race for Championship promotion playoffs
Table updated after final round of games
| Pos. | Club | GP | Pts | W-D-L | GD |
| 3. | Millwall* | 46 | 83 | 24-11-11 | +15 |
| 4. | Southampton* | 46 | 80 | 22-14-10 | +26 |
| 5. | Middlesbrough* | 46 | 80 | 22-14-10 | +25 |
| 6. | Hull City* | 46 | 73 | 21-10-15 | +4 |
| 7. | Wrexham | 46 | 71 | 19-14-13 | +4 |
| 8. | Derby County | 46 | 69 | 20-9-17 | +8 |
*Confirmed for playoffs
When are the Championship playoffs?
The first legs of the semifinals will be held on Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9, while the return legs will be held the following Monday, May 11 and Tuesday, May 12.
Then, the final will be held on May 23 at Wembley Stadium.
2026 Championship playoff schedule
Semifinal first leg
- Friday, May 8: Hull City vs. Millwall
- Saturday, May 9: Middlesbrough vs. Southampton
Semifinal second leg
- Monday, May 11: Millwall vs. Hull City
- Tuesday, May 12: Southampton vs. Middlesbrough
Final
- Saturday, May 23: Millwall/Hull City vs. Southampton/Middlesbrough
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