The 2026/27 Premier League season has already produced a rare opening-weekend feat, with Hull City and Ipswich Town both winning their first matches after promotion.
Hull delivered the biggest shock on Saturday by beating Manchester United 2-0 at the MKM Stadium. Meanwhile, Ipswich Town edged Sunderland 2-1 after a late winner from Jack Clarke.
The results mean two of the three newly promoted clubs began the season with victories. However, Coventry City could not complete what would have been a historic clean sweep after losing 3-0 to Arsenal on Friday.
Hull City stun Manchester United
Hull marked their return to the Premier League in spectacular fashion.
The Tigers had not played in the top flight since the 2016/17 season. However, they showed little fear against Manchester United and secured a convincing 2-0 victory.
Nigeria international Semi Ajayi opened the scoring in the 17th minute. Nobel Mendy then doubled Hull’s advantage before half-time.
United struggled to respond after the break. As a result, Hull held on comfortably to claim three points and record their first league victory over Manchester United since 1974.
The victory also gave Hull a remarkable start under manager Sergej Jakirovic.
For Manchester United, however, the defeat immediately puts pressure on Michael Carrick after a highly anticipated start to the campaign.
Ipswich leave it late against Sunderland
Ipswich Town also celebrated their Premier League return with a dramatic victory.
The Tractor Boys defeated fellow promoted side Sunderland 2-1 at Portman Road. Emiliano Correia da Silva put Ipswich ahead in the first half before Sunderland equalised through Nathan Angulo.
With the match heading towards a draw, former Sunderland player Jack Clarke produced the decisive moment.
Clarke curled home in the 90th minute to give Ipswich a memorable 2-1 victory and a winning start under manager Gary O’Neil.
Coventry miss out on perfect start
Coventry City were the only promoted club to lose on the opening weekend.
Arsenal defeated Coventry 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Friday night. The result prevented all three newly promoted teams from winning their opening fixtures.
Therefore, the Premier League still has no season in which all three promoted clubs have won their opening matches.
The three newcomers for the 2026/27 campaign are Coventry, Hull and Ipswich, all promoted from the EFL Championship.
How rare is the two-promoted-club feat?
Having two promoted teams win on the opening weekend remains an unusual occurrence in Premier League history.
The feat had previously occurred in only a handful of seasons, including 1997/98, 2021/22 and 2025/26.
Brentford and Watford achieved the feat in 2021/22. More recently, Sunderland and Leeds United both won their opening games after promotion in 2025/26.
Hull and Ipswich have now joined that group.
Full list of promoted clubs that won their opening Premier League match
| Season | Promoted club | Opening-day result |
|---|---|---|
| 1994/95 | Nottingham Forest | Nottingham Forest 1-0 Ipswich |
| 1997/98 | Bolton Wanderers | Southampton 0-1 Bolton |
| 1997/98 | Crystal Palace | Everton 1-2 Crystal Palace |
| 1999/00 | Bradford City | Bradford City 1-0 Middlesbrough |
| 2000/01 | Charlton Athletic | Charlton Athletic 4-0 Manchester City |
| 2001/02 | Bolton Wanderers | Leicester City 2-5 Bolton |
| 2003/04 | Portsmouth | Portsmouth 2-1 Aston Villa |
| 2006/07 | Reading | Reading 3-2 Middlesbrough |
| 2007/08 | Sunderland | Sunderland 1-0 Tottenham |
| 2008/09 | Hull City | Hull City 2-1 Fulham |
| 2010/11 | Blackpool | Wigan Athletic 0-4 Blackpool |
| 2012/13 | West Ham United | West Ham United 1-0 Aston Villa |
| 2016/17 | Hull City | Hull City 2-1 Leicester City |
| 2017/18 | Huddersfield Town | Crystal Palace 0-3 Huddersfield Town |
| 2021/22 | Brentford | Brentford 2-0 Arsenal |
| 2021/22 | Watford | Watford 3-2 Aston Villa |
| 2022/23 | Bournemouth | Bournemouth 2-0 Aston Villa |
| 2025/26 | Sunderland | Sunderland 3-0 West Ham United |
| 2025/26 | Leeds United | Leeds United 1-0 Everton |
| 2026/27 | Hull City | Hull City 2-0 Manchester United |
| 2026/27 | Ipswich Town | Ipswich Town 2-1 Sunderland |
The latest results underline just how difficult it is for newly promoted sides to make an immediate impact in the Premier League.
Hull’s victory is particularly notable because it is the second time the club have won their opening Premier League match after promotion. They previously achieved the feat in 2016, when they defeated reigning champions Leicester City 2-1.
A dream start for Hull and Ipswich
For Hull and Ipswich, the opening weekend could hardly have gone better.
Both clubs entered the Premier League after winning promotion from the Championship. Both also faced fellow established top-flight opponents, yet they emerged with maximum points.
As the season continues, attention will now turn to whether the two clubs can maintain that momentum and avoid the relegation battle that often confronts newly promoted teams.
For now, though, Hull and Ipswich have announced their return to the Premier League in style.
Source: Premier League official website
