Ipswich Town’s return to the Premier League has ended after a 3–0 defeat at Newcastle United confirmed their relegation alongside Southampton and Leicester City.

Ipswich Town’s relegation from the Premier League was confirmed on Saturday following a 3–0 defeat at Newcastle United.

The Tractor Boys arrived at St James’ Park knowing they needed to beat Newcastle and hope that West Ham United lost at Brighton & Hove Albion to keep their slim hopes of survival alive.

While West Ham were beaten, Ipswich’s own loss – compounded by Ben Johnson’s first-half red card – means they sit 15 points adrift of safety with only four matches remaining.

Ipswich join Southampton and Leicester City in suffering relegation to the Championship for the 2025/26 campaign.

What Relegation Means

The Premier League’s relegation system sees the teams finishing 18th, 19th, and 20th drop down to the Championship, the second tier of English football.

They are replaced by three promoted clubs: the sides finishing first and second in the Championship, plus the winners of the division’s end-of-season playoffs.

Ipswich’s relegation will be formally ratified at the Premier League’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) this summer. At the AGM, relegated clubs transfer back their share certificates which confirm their Premier League membership, with the league’s Board subsequently cancelling those shares.

Who Has Been Promoted?

Leeds United and Burnley have already secured automatic promotion to the Premier League for the 2025/26 season.

One further club will join them via the Championship playoffs.

Championship Playoff Race: Who Could Join Leeds and Burnley?

The clubs finishing third to sixth after 46 matches will compete in the playoffs for the final promotion place.

As it stands, the race is tight:

Position Club Played Points Remaining Fixtures

3rd Sheffield United 45 89 Blackburn (H)

4th Sunderland 45 76 QPR (H)

5th Bristol City 44 67 Leeds (A); Preston (H)

6th Coventry City 45 66 Middlesbrough (H)

7th Millwall 45 66 Burnley (A)

8th Blackburn 45 65 Sheffield United (A)

9th Middlesbrough 45 64 Coventry (A)

While Sheffield United and Sunderland have already secured their playoff spots, Bristol City, Coventry, Millwall, Blackburn Rovers, and Middlesbrough are still battling to finish inside the top six.

The final round of Championship fixtures takes place on Saturday 3 May.

Championship Playoffs: Key Dates

• Semi-finals (two-legged):

• 8 May: Sixth vs Third (First Leg) – 20:00 BST

• 9 May: Fifth vs Fourth (First Leg) – 20:00 BST

• 12 May: Third vs Sixth (Second Leg) – 20:00 BST

• 13 May: Fourth vs Fifth (Second Leg) – 20:00 BST

• Playoff Final:

• 24 May: Winners of the semi-finals meet at Wembley Stadium.

The victors at Wembley will join Leeds United and Burnley in the Premier League next season.