Ipswich Town had not won a top-flight Matchweek 1 match since the 1993–94 season before doing so in 2026–27.
Ipswich defeated Sunderland 2–1 at Portman Road on Saturday 22 August 2026. The victory was therefore their first opening-round win in the top division since 1993–94, a gap spanning more than three decades.
Sunderland equalised after Ipswich had taken the lead, but substitute Jack Clarke scored in the 90th minute to secure the points. Clarke’s goal was particularly notable because he scored against his former club.
The result was also significant in the wider promotion context. Ipswich had returned to the Premier League and immediately recorded a top-flight Matchweek 1 victory, while Sunderland were also beginning life in the division.