Ipswich Town Secure Premier League Promotion with Final Day Victory

Ipswich Town secured an immediate return to the Premier League on Saturday, May 2, 2026, following a 3-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers on the final day of the Championship season.

The result at Portman Road ensured that the Tractor Boys claimed the second automatic promotion slot, completing a return to the top flight just one season after their departure.

Rapid Start at Portman Road

Ipswich established a dominant lead within the opening nine minutes of the match, effectively removing the tension from a high-stakes final day. George Hirst opened the scoring in the 3rd minute, followed quickly by a goal from Jaden Philogene-Bidace in the 9th minute.

The victory was finalized late in the game when Kasey McAteer scored a third goal in the 85th minute. The match was attended by 29,636 spectators who witnessed the comfortable win over the visiting QPR side.

A Historic Milestone for Kieran McKenna

The promotion marks a significant individual achievement for manager Kieran McKenna. According to reporting from ESPN, McKenna has become the first manager in the history of Ipswich Town to mastermind three promotions, two of which have been to the top flight.

Championship Playoff Implications

While Ipswich celebrated their automatic promotion, the final day saw significant shifts in the race for the remaining playoff positions. Hull City managed to leapfrog Wrexham to secure the final playoff place.

Wrexham’s bid for a continued rise through the divisions ended after a 2-2 draw at home against Middlesbrough. This result left the club owned by Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds outside the promotion spots.

The four teams that will now compete in the Championship playoffs are:

• Southampton
• Hull City
• Middlesbrough
• Millwall

The final day concluded with Ipswich Town confirming their status as a Premier League club for the 2026-2027 season, capping off a successful campaign of immediate redemption.