Championship Promotion Race: Who Will Play In The PL Next Season?

The 2025/26 Championship season isn’t too far away from its midpoint. The table is beginning to take shape – who will be at the top of the pile at the end of the current campaign?

We’ve taken a look at the top seven teams in the league at the moment and have evaulated which teams we feel can earn promotion to the Premier League.

Last season, Leeds United, Burnley and Sunderland were all promoted to England’s top flight – which 3 will take the leap to the Premier League this year?

Ipswich Town

Ipswich Town, following their relegation at the end of last season, have had a harder return to the Championship than many may have anticipated. Despite making some stellar summer signings, they are currently seventh in the league table.

Despite this, they are now starting to put a strong run of form together, having won 3 of their last 4 games. They are 2 points outside of the playoffs, but they have a game in hand.

Millwall

Millwall had a rip-roaring start to the season, but have fallen off somewhat in recent weeks. They are sixth in the league table, but are winless in their last 3 games and have a goal difference of -3.

Recently, the Lions were trounced by Birmingham, who beat them by a score of 4-0. Millwall are a rugged outfit, as they always have been, but they lack the quality to consistently compete with the stronger teams in the division.

Hull City

Last season was a turbulent one for Hull City as they laboured to beat the drop – this season could not be any more different, as they look to secure a spot in the playoffs.

From a 21st finish last season to 5th in the league table after 15 games is an unbelievable contrast. It remains to be seen if they can maintain their form – they have won 4 of their last 6 Championship games.

Preston North End

Preston’s situation is similar to Hull’s – after a poor performance in 2024/25, the Lilywhites have enjoyed a period of success so far this season. Despite finishing 20th last season, they are now 4th in the league table.

Winning 3 of their last 4 games, Preston look like a tough prospect for anyone at the moment. It remains to be seen how they will cope without Milutin Osmajić, however, after the Montenegrin received a 9 match ban for racially abusing Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri.

Stoke City

This season has been a long time coming for Stoke. Owned by the lucrative Coates Family, the Potters are among the richest clubs in the division – finally, under the stewardship of Mark Robins, things are starting to come together.

Stoke have the meanest defence in the Championship this season, having conceded a meagre 10 goals in their opening 15 games. With 21 goals scored, they are also no slouches at the other end of the pitch.

Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough are in a tough position at the moment. They have been performing well this season and currently sit second in the Championship table, but have just lost their head coach, Rob Edwards, as he left the club to join Wolves in the Premier League.

This will surely have an effect on Boro’s trajectory in the 2025/26 season – but it remains to be seen if it is just a mere speedbump or a major derailment.

Coventry City

Coventry City, under the stewardship of Frank Lampard, have set the Championship alight this season. With 34 points from 15 games, they are sitting comfortably at the top of the pile.

The Sky Blues have built up an incredible goalscoring record this season, having found the back of the net 40 times already. Coventry have endured some trying times in the past couple of decades, but their return to the big time looks immiment.