Which promoted club had the longest absence from the Premier League before 2026–27?

Coventry City had the longest absence from the Premier League before the 2026–27 season.

Coventry returned to the top flight after an absence of 25 years. Ipswich Town had been away for one year, while Hull City had been outside the division for nine years, so Coventry’s gap was clearly the longest among the three promoted clubs.

The club’s return was immediately tested by an opening-night visit to defending champions Arsenal. Coventry lost that match 3–0, but their promotion itself marked a major change from the club’s long period outside England’s top division.

The 2026–27 Premier League therefore included three promoted teams with very different recent histories. Ipswich made a rapid return, Hull ended a nine-year wait, and Coventry completed a quarter-century journey back to the elite level.