In this article, HartGoal will dive into which teams was promoted to EPL (Premier League) for the 2025/26 campaign. If you came here wondering who earned a spot in England’s top flight, we’ve got you covered. The three teams promoted are Leeds United, Burnley, and Sunderland — returning to the big stage after varying lengths away. Below, we break down their journeys, stats, history, and what this promotion means.
Context: What Promotion To The EPL Involves
Promotion to the Premier League comes, the second-tier of English professional football. Each season:
- The top two teams in the Championship are automatically promoted.
- A playoff among the 3rd‐6th placed teams determines the third club to go up.
For 2025/26, Leeds United and Burnley claimed the automatic promotion spots. Sunderland secured the final place.
The Promoted Teams: Leeds, Burnley, and Sunderland
Here are the three clubs that made their way into the EPL for 2025/26, with some key facts.
| Club | How They Earned Promotion | Years Out Of Premier League | Key Notes |
| Leeds United | Champions of the Championship, automatic promotion. allorbit.com) | 2 years away. | Dominant season; high goal difference; strong finish. |
| Burnley | 2nd place in Championship (automatic promotion). | 1-year absence. | Yo-yo club historically: moving up and down. |
| Sunderland | Won the playoffs (3rd-6th playoff route). | 8 years away. | Huge achievement; long build. |
Performance & Implications
Leeds United
- Leeds came out strong in the Championship, finishing with the most points. Their offensive power and ability to dominate matches helped them secure top place.
- They’re hoping a combination of good squad depth, experienced management, and momentum will help them avoid relegation after being away for two seasons.
Burnley
- Burnley earned automatic promotion with consistency across the season. They showed good resilience, especially in tight matches.
- For them, the challenge will be avoiding the drop. Previous patterns suggest newly promoted teams often struggle with the pace, physicality, and quality in the EPL.
Sunderland
- A fairy-tale in many respects: long waiting, grinding through Championship fixtures, finishing inside the playoff places, then winning the playoff final.
- They have a passionate fan base, which helps; but Premier League demands are high. Survival will likely depend on smart signings, defensive solidity, and avoiding long losing streaks.
Historical Perspective & Trends
- It is becoming increasingly common for all three promoted teams to struggle to stay up in their first Premier League season. In recent years, many of them are relegated immediately.
- Being just promoted doesn’t guarantee survival. Teams that do well often have strong financial backing, good management, and already competitive squads.
- Leeds, Burnley, and Sunderland all face this test now that they’re in the Premier League again. Can any of them buck the trend?
Challenges & What To Watch
Here are some of the biggest challenges the newly promoted clubs will face, and what to keep an eye on:
- Squad depth and injuries – Premier League seasons are longer, more intense; injuries hit harder.
- Upgrading quality – Especially in defense and midfield, where pace, physicality, and tactical flexibility matter more at top level.
- Financial pressures – TV money helps, but costs are high. Wages, transfers, infrastructure: managing that well is crucial.
- Momentum and morale – Confidence. Strong early-season form can make all the difference.
- Tactical adaptability – Managers must adjust. Championship style doesn’t always translate.
What It Means For the 2025/26 EPL Season
- The Premier League will feature Leeds United, Burnley, and Sunderland as the newly promoted clubs.
- They replace Leicester City, Ipswich Town, and Southampton, who were relegated in the previous season.
- Fixture dynamics will change: “new” derbies, fresh rivalry energy, crowd expectations, etc.
- Broadcast interest, ticket sales, and financial stakes increase for the promoted teams.
Conclusion
Which teams was promoted to EPL this time around? Leeds United, Burnley, and Sunderland earned their promotion for the 2025/26 Premier League season. Each has its unique story — Leeds and Burnley clinched automatic spots, Sunderland fought through the playoffs.
HartGoal hopes this article gives you not just the answer, but context: what promotion meant for them, what lies ahead, and why it matters. Now, keep an eye on the opening weeks of EPL — they’ll tell a lot about who’s going to survive. Want profiles on one of these clubs, their transfer plans, or predictions? Let me know — I’m ready for the next article!
