Arsenal claimed their first Premier League title in over two decades during a historic season.
In short: The 2025–26 English football season delivered a dramatic shift in power. While Arsenal secured their first league title since 2004, the campaign was defined by unexpected European triumphs, record-breaking points totals in the lower tiers, and a series of high-stakes relegation battles that reshaped the landscape of the English game.
The 2025–26 season, the 146th in English competitive football history, saw Arsenal dominate the Premier League. Leading the table from October, they secured the title on the penultimate weekend, though their pursuit of a double ended in a penalty shootout defeat in the Champions League final. Manchester City, in Pep Guardiola's final season, finished second, while Manchester United and Aston Villa returned to the Champions League. Villa’s season was particularly notable; they won the Europa League, marking their first trophy in 30 years and Unai Emery's fifth title in that competition.
The lower divisions saw extraordinary drama. Coventry City ended a 25-year exile from the top flight, while Hull City secured promotion via a last-minute play-off victory. In the National League, York City won the title in the 103rd minute of their final match, finishing with 107 points. Runners-up Rochdale, who earned 106 points, also secured promotion through the play-offs. This massive points haul by both sides has sparked renewed debate regarding the allocation of automatic promotion spots from the National League.
Financial issues significantly impacted the standings, most notably in the Championship. Sheffield Wednesday finished with zero points after an 18-point deduction, becoming the first side in Football League history to do so. Leicester City, marking the 10th anniversary of their famous title win, suffered a second successive relegation following a six-point deduction. Meanwhile, the season was marked by the tragic death of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, who passed away at age 28 in July 2025, an event that contributed to a difficult campaign for the Merseyside club.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2025–26 in English football
- Also: Wikidata — 2025–26 in English football · CC0
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