Possibility of All Promoted Clubs From the Premier League Facing Demotion Once More?
In the 2025-26 Premier League season, three clubs - Leeds United, Burnley, and Sunderland - are making a return to the top flight after successful stints in the Championship. However, history suggests that the road to survival in the Premier League may not be an easy one for these teams.
Leeds United, having returned to the Premier League after a two-year absence, face a familiar challenge. In the recent past, all three promoted clubs have struggled to maintain their Premier League status, with each of them getting relegated immediately after their promotion, a trend that occurred in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons.
Burnley, who were promoted again in 2025 after just one year away from the top flight, spent nearly £96 million in the 2023-24 season under Vincent Kompany upon promotion. Despite heavy reinforcement, they finished 19th and were relegated after earning only 24 points.
Sunderland, who returned after an eight-year absence in 2025, also face a significant challenge. They amassed 76 points, the least points any club has had to reach the Premier League since 2013.
Leeds United, on the other hand, boast a strong offensive line, having scored 95 goals in the 2022/23 season, more than Fulham in the past five Championship seasons, thanks to the cheat code Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Sunderland, as play-off winners, boast a young, hungry team and one of the most passionate fanbases in European football.
However, the financial and quality gap between the Premier League and the Championship continues to grow, necessitating significant investment for newly promoted clubs to close the gap. Leeds, Burnley, and Sunderland collectively spent around £194 million during the 2025 transfer window preparations.
Burnley's spending is noteworthy, as they spent nearly £96 million in the 2023-24 season, yet still struggled. Similarly, Sunderland and Leeds are among the highest spending promoted clubs in history heading into the 2025-26 Premier League season.
If Leeds United, Burnley, and Sunderland find themselves back in the Championship with parachute payments, they may enjoy the 2026-27 season, given the financial boost these payments provide.
Other clubs, such as Everton and West Ham, could also find themselves in trouble, with potential relegation on the horizon. A struggling Wolves, shorn of their talisman Matheus Cunha, could also face relegation.
It remains to be seen whether Leeds United, Burnley, and Sunderland can buck the trend and secure their Premier League status. One thing is certain: the road to survival in the Premier League is never easy for newly promoted clubs.
Sports analysis reveals that Leeds United, Burnley, and Sunderland, despite significant spending in the transfer market, may find the road to survival in the 2025-26 Premier League season challenging, as all three previous promoted clubs faced immediate relegation after their promotion in European-leagues, with the trend occurring in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons.
However, Leeds United's strong offensive line, bolstered by Aleksandar Mitrovic's goal-scoring prowess, and Sunderland's young, ambitious team backed by a passionate fanbase, could potentially help them buck the trend and secure their status in the Premier League.
