Three clubs were promoted to the Premier League for the 2026–27 season: Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City.
All three appeared in the opening-weekend schedule. Coventry City visited defending champions Arsenal on Friday, Ipswich Town hosted Sunderland on Saturday, and Hull City hosted Manchester United on Saturday.
Coventry returned to the top flight after an absence of 25 years. Ipswich Town returned after one season away, while Hull City returned after nine years outside the Premier League. Their different lengths of absence made the promoted trio a prominent storyline of the opening round.
The Premier League has 20 clubs, so three promoted teams replace the three clubs relegated from the previous campaign. Promotion normally comes through the Championship’s two automatic places and its play-offs, although the specific route differs for each promoted club.