Coventry City, Middlesbrough, and Ipswich Town have dominated much of the 2025/26 Championship season, with all three firmly in contention for promotion to the Premier League, whether automatically or via the play-offs.
Frank Lampard’s Coventry City recently reclaimed the top spot after a brief spell in second, while Middlesbrough had overtaken them for a period.
Ipswich Town, based on points-per-game, also remain firmly in the promotion race, despite pressure from Hull City and Millwall.
While it isn’t guaranteed that two of the three will finish in the top two, the performances so far mean that clubs receiving parachute payments, like Leicester City, Southampton, and Sheffield United, have largely fallen out of contention this season.
Historically, since 2018/19, at least two promoted teams each season have benefited from parachute payments, but 2025/26 may break that pattern—similar to when Norwich City joined Sheffield United and Aston Villa in promotion without relying on parachute money.
If two of Coventry, Middlesbrough, and Ipswich achieve automatic promotion, they will gain entry to the financial riches of the Premier League. Even if relegated after just one season, parachute payments would provide a significant financial cushion for 2027.
So, how much cash could these clubs realistically receive? The financial gap between the Championship and the Premier League is massive, which is why owners take calculated risks to reach the top flight. Ipswich currently benefit from parachute payments, while Coventry and Middlesbrough have climbed the table through careful planning and investment.
The potential windfall comes from three main sources: EFL prize money, Premier League revenues, and commercial gains. The domestic TV deal, valued at £6.7 billion over the next three seasons, is distributed among top-flight clubs based on appearances, supplemented by central commercial fees and merit payments. Clubs relegated after one season could still receive parachute payments for up to two years. Overall, promoted clubs can expect a minimum revenue boost of roughly £200 million.
Play-offs remain an added financial incentive. While Coventry and Middlesbrough will want to avoid them, Ipswich, Millwall, and Hull are all in contention, making the race for the top six highly competitive. The Championship play-off final, often dubbed “the richest game in football,” can transform a club’s finances, with historical winners seeing major revenue spikes.
Interestingly, winning the league doesn’t always bring the biggest windfall. Deloitte reports suggest that play-off winners can see their revenues rise by at least £170 million over three years, potentially reaching £290 million if they survive their first Premier League season. Whether promoted automatically or via the play-offs, reaching the Premier League would be transformative for Coventry City, Middlesbrough, or Ipswich Town.
Leave a Reply