Ipswich Town and Derby County have sealed automatic promotion to England's Premier League for the 2026/27 season after finishing in the top two of the Championship.
Ipswich clinched their return with a consistent campaign that combined strong attacking play with solid defending. They avoided the playoff lottery by finishing inside the automatic promotion spots on merit, securing their place in the top flight well before the season ended.
Derby matched that achievement with an impressive run of form, particularly in the closing stages of the season. Their ability to maintain consistency under pressure ensured they edged out rivals and claimed the second automatic promotion slot.
Three other clubs still have a chance at the Premier League. The playoff race involves teams that finished between third and sixth place in the Championship. These four teams will compete in a knockout tournament to determine which one joins Ipswich and Derby in the top flight next season.
The 2025/26 Championship playoffs will feature Millwall versus Hull City in one semifinal, while Southampton take on Middlesbrough in the other. The winners of those two matches will meet in the playoff final, where the victor earns promotion and completes the three-team quota of newly promoted clubs for the 2026/27 Premier League season.
