image via - @SunderlandAFC/ X

Sunderland Win Championship Play-off Final, Promoted to 2025-26 Premier League with Leeds United and Burnley

Sunderland’s Play-off Triumph Secures Premier League Return Alongside Leeds and Burnley

image via - @SunderlandAFC/ X

Sunderland completed the promotion after a thrilling play-off final victory in the Championship on Saturday. Thanks to an injury-time goal by Tom Watson coming off the bench, Sunderland will be back in the English top flight for the first time since the 2016/17 season.

Joining the Champions Leeds United and Burnley on the list, Sunderland will be the third club promoted to the Premier League this season. Sunderland’s youthful squad showcased its talent by fielding the youngest average starting XI in the Championship. With an average age of 23 years and 316 days, the team boasted young stars like Jobe Bellingham (19) and Chris Rigg (17).

Sunderland are promoted to the Premier League to complete next season's lineup 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿📈 pic.twitter.com/huw6XSOPSL
— LiveScore (@livescore) May 24, 2025

2025-26 Premier League Welcomes Leeds, Burnley, Sunderland

The championship trio of Leeds, Burnley and Sunderland will join the Premier League 2025/26 season following their promotion. Here is the breakdown of the promoting teams and what one can expect from them the next season below:

Leeds United

Leading the Championship dominantly, Leeds United spent 156 days in the top two spots this season. Daniel Farke, a seasoned manager with a proven track record of success in the Championship, played a pivotal role in Leeds’ triumph.

Leeds United finished the season with 100 points as they conceded only 25 goals in the season. Joel Piroe, the force behind their attack, led the charge with an impressive 19 goals, including a remarkable four-goal performance in their 6-0 victory against Stoke City.

👊 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗲!#LUFC x @premierleague pic.twitter.com/C1IzqsF0ZA
— Leeds United (C) (@LUFC) May 24, 2025

Burnley

Last played in the Premier League during the 2023-24 season, Burnlet finished 19th with 24 points and suffering relegation to the Championship. Burnley set a record-low for goals conceded in a Championship season, allowing just 16 goals in 46 matches (0.35 goals per game).

Finishing with a 100-point tally, Scott Parker’s team scored 52 goals. Replacing Vincent Kompany, Parker has led Burnley back to the Premier League after being one year away from the top flight.

ALSO READ: Mohamed Salah Feels 2025 Ballon d’Or is Closest Now After Historic Season

Sunderland

Sunderland earned the promotion in high fashion after the 2-1 victory over Sheffield United in the play-off final. Playing with the youngest Championship team ever, Sunderland spent 266 days outside the promotion zone.

Pulling a disciplined show towards the end of the season, Régis Le Bris guided Sunderland to their highest point tally (76 points) in a season since 2017. Sunderland’s promotion marks their fifth to the Premier League since 1992, tying them with Norwich, West Brom, Leicester, and Burnley for the most.

Burnley

Leeds United

Sheffield United vs Sunderland

Sunderland

The Championship

Mayur Dedwal

soccer

I’m a Sports Content Writer with expertise in football. Being a decade old football enthusiast and part-time coach, I try to bring to life to the articles in a statistical manner. Being around all kinds of sports updates and able to put in my perspective’s to the happenings in the world of football are few of the many things i like in doing what i do. You can find me playing Sunday leagues or Xbox on weekends!