Coventry City returned to the Premier League after the longest absence before the 2026–27 season.
Coventry had been away from the Premier League for 25 years when they returned for 2026–27. They were one of three promoted clubs, alongside Ipswich Town and Hull City, and opened the campaign away to defending champions Arsenal.
The club’s previous Premier League season had been 2000–01. That made Coventry’s gap the longest absence for a former Premier League club in the Premier League era at the time of their return. Ipswich came back after one year away, while Hull City returned after nine years.
Coventry’s opening match ended in a 3–0 defeat at Arsenal, but the result did not change the historical significance of their promotion. The club’s nickname, the Sky Blues, is also commonly used in coverage, but the canonical answer is Coventry City.