Will the 2026/27 Premier League season mark only the fifth occasion when all three promoted clubs survive relegation?
There’s been a lot of talk in recent seasons about the gulf between the Premier League and EFL. In the 2023/24 and 2024/25 campaigns, all three promoted sides went straight back down.
However, the tables turned last season, courtesy of Sunderland going on to record an impressive seventh-place finish, while Leeds United were also clear of danger.
During the early stages of this term, Hull City and Ipswich Town have made decent starts, taking their point tallies into double figures already. Coventry City are also starting to find their feet after a slow start.
But how likely is it that they will still be Premier League sides come next season? Well, given it doesn’t happen that often, let’s look at the times when it has…
2001/02
This was the first Premier League season in which all three promoted sides finished in 17th place or above.
Blackburn Rovers, then under the guidance of Graeme Souness, and Jean Tigana’s Fulham were well clear of danger in 10th and 13th place respectively.
Despite a strong start, Sam Allardyce’s Bolton came the closest to going down in 16th place and just four points clear of relegation.
Following a mid-season slump, a run of three wins in four games between the end of March and start of April eventually proved enough to keep them up.
The three teams to go down were Ipswich Town, Derby County and Leicester City.
2011/12
It took a further 10 years before the three promoted sides managed to retain their top-flight status.
Swansea City took the Premier League by storm under Brendan Rodgers, while Norwich City also adapted accordingly under Paul Lambert, with both separated by goal difference in mid-table on 47 points.
Queens Park Rangers‘ survival bid came right down to the final day.
Despite that 3-2 defeat to Manchester City (and that Sergio Aguero moment), which saw Roberto Mancini’s side snatch the Premier League title in dramatic fashion, the Rs stayed up after Bolton failed to beat Stoke City.
Bolton were joined at the trap door by Blackburn and Wolves.
2017/18
The 2017/18 season marked the return of Newcastle United, while Brighton made their Premier League bow.
Both survived relatively comfortably in 10th and 15th place respectively.
Huddersfield Town were the other promoted side, and they flirted with the relegation zone throughout the campaign.
However, a couple of hugely credible draws with eventual champions Man City and Chelsea in two of their last three games ultimately proved enough to extend their top-flight status for another season.
That came at the expense of Swansea, Stoke and West Brom, who saw their lengthy stays in the Premier League come to an end.
2022/23
The most recent occurrence of all three promoted teams surviving relegation straight back to the Championship.
Fulham (10th), Bournemouth (15th) and Nottingham Forest (16th) all returned to the top flight, where they have subsequently remained.
Forest were involved in a late fight for survival, but a 1-0 win over title-chasing Arsenal in their penultimate game secured safety.
Southampton were relegated, while Leicester City and Leeds United followed them on the final day.
Premier League 2026/27 relegation odds for promoted sides
| Team | Relegation odds (Bet365) |
|---|---|
| Coventry City | 8/13 |
| Hull City | 4/6 |
| Ipswich Town | 9/4 |