As the 2024-25 European football season reaches its climax, the landscape for the 2026-27 campaign is taking shape. Across the continent's most prestigious leagues, the drama of promotion and relegation has been decided, with historic clubs securing their return to the top flight and others facing the bitter disappointment of the drop. This comprehensive overview details every confirmed promoted and relegated team in Europe's major divisions.
In England, the Premier League will welcome back two familiar names. Coventry City, after a period of rebuilding, has secured automatic promotion, joining Ipswich Town, who have completed a remarkable ascent back to the elite. The relegated sides are Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley, who will now ply their trade in the Championship. The promotion picture is not yet fully complete, as Millwall, Southampton, Middlesbrough, and Hull City are set to contest the play-offs for the final spot.
Italy's Serie A will see a Venetian revival. Venezia has earned direct promotion, bringing top-flight football back to the historic city. They are joined by Frosinone, who have also secured automatic ascent. Making way are Pisa and Hellas Verona, who have been relegated to Serie B. The promotion play-offs will involve teams finishing third through eighth, with the third and fourth-placed sides receiving a bye to a later round, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the end-of-season drama.
Germany's Bundesliga is set for a significant shake-up. Schalke 04, one of the country's most storied clubs, has achieved direct promotion from the 2. Bundesliga, a momentous occasion for their passionate fanbase. The relegation picture in Germany is uniquely complex, with the 16th-placed Bundesliga team facing a two-legged play-off against the third-placed team from the second tier, a high-stakes encounter that will be decided after the season's conclusion.
France's Ligue 1 will feature two newly promoted sides. Troyes and FC Metz have both secured their places in the top flight for the upcoming season. Their promotion comes at the expense of FC Nantes, who have been directly relegated. Similar to Germany, the 16th-placed Ligue 1 team will enter a play-off against the third, fourth, and fifth-placed teams from Ligue 2, ensuring the relegation battle extends into the summer.
Portugal's Primeira Liga will welcome Maritimo and AVS Futebol SAD as its promoted teams. The league's relegation play-off system remains in place, with the 16th-placed top-flight team set to face the third-placed side from Liga Portugal 2 in a decisive tie. In the Netherlands, the Eredivisie will see ADO Den Haag and SC Cambuur return, while Heracles Almelo has been relegated. The Dutch system is particularly intricate, as the 16th-placed Eredivisie team will enter play-offs with a host of teams from the second-tier KKD, including those finishing third through eighth and potential period winners.
Belgium's Pro League has confirmed SK Beveren as a promoted team, while KV Kortrijk faces relegation. The final relegation spot will be determined through a play-off involving Dender, who finished fourth in the relegation pool, against either Beerschot or SK Lommel. Meanwhile, in Turkey, Erzurumspor and Amedspor have earned direct promotion to the Süper Lig. The promotion play-offs are fiercely contested, with Erokspor, the third-placed team from the second tier, already in the final, while Corum, Bodrumspor, Pendikspor, and Keciorrengucu battle for the other finalist spot.
These movements underscore the perpetual cycle of ambition and consequence in European football. For the promoted clubs, it represents the culmination of a season's hard work and a chance to compete on the biggest stage. For the relegated, it is a time for reflection and regrouping with the immediate goal of an immediate return. The confirmed changes set the stage for what promises to be a compelling 2026-27 season across the continent.
Based on reporting from Voetbal International.