What happened in the 2025/26 Premier League season?
Arsenal won the 2025/26 Premier League title with 85 points, while the season also turned on the relegation battle, individual awards, Sunderland's European qualification, and Liverpool's fifth-place finish. This is a completed-season reference; its forward-looking dates must be kept separate from the 2026/27 preview.
For the next campaign's title, manager, and promoted-club context, continue to the Premier League 2026/27 season preview or use the Fantasy hub for the FPL decision layer.
Arsenal won their first Premier League title since 2003–04, finishing seven points clear of Manchester City on 85 points. On May 19, 2026, City drew 1–1 with Bournemouth, confirming Arsenal as champions with a game to spare.
A title, a European surprise and a relegation fight
The final table explains the outcome; these were the three season-long storylines that shaped it.
Arsenal · 85 points
A first Premier League title since 2003–04, confirmed with a match to spare.
Sunderland qualify
The promoted club turned survival into a European place.
Three campaigns end
The bottom of the table supplied a second race alongside the title.
The title race
William Saliba played all 38 matches, anchoring a backline that conceded the fewest goals in the division. David Raya collected 19 clean sheets in 37 starts, winning his third consecutive Golden Glove.
Summer signing Viktor Gyökeres (£63m from Sporting CP) scored 14 league goals in 36 appearances, giving Mikel Arteta a physical central outlet.
In September, Gabriel Martinelli scored a stoppage-time equalizer to draw 1–1 with Manchester City at the Emirates. After back-to-back losses to Bournemouth and City in April, Arsenal won four straight matches to lock up the title. A final-day 2–1 win against Crystal Palace on May 24 concluded their 85-point campaign.
“Arsenal ended a 22-year title wait while reaching 100 consecutive top-flight seasons.”
FootieGuide season review
Final standings and European places
- 1st: Arsenal — 85 pts
- 2nd: Manchester City — 78 pts
- 3rd: Manchester United — 71 pts (Bruno Fernandes named PL Player of the Season)
- 4th: Aston Villa — 66 pts
- 5th: Liverpool — 60 pts
- 6th: Bournemouth — 56 pts
- 7th: Sunderland — 54 pts (Europa League qualification)
Sunderland returned to the top flight after eight years away, finished seventh and secured their first European qualification since 1973.
The relegation battle
Relegated Clubs
West Ham went down on 39 points, a total that secured survival in every previous 38-game season since 2012.
Why 39 points still meant relegation
Historic HighWest Ham United were relegated in 18th place with 39 points. In every previous 38-game Premier League season since 2012, 39 points was more than sufficient for survival.
Individual awards
- Golden Boot: Erling Haaland (27 goals). Igor Thiago finished second with 22 goals for Brentford (including 8 penalties), setting a single-season Premier League record for a Brazilian player. Ollie Watkins scored 16 for Villa; Morgan Gibbs-White and João Pedro finished on 15.
- Golden Glove: David Raya (19 clean sheets). Joining Pepe Reina, Joe Hart, and Ederson as the fourth keeper to win three consecutive Golden Gloves.
- Player of the Season: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United).
Liverpool's fifth-place finish
Liverpool collected 60 points, finishing 25 behind Arsenal and outside the Champions League places. That result set up a summer of coaching and squad changes before 2026/27.
What followed
Arsenal defend their crown when the 2026/27 opening round begins on Saturday 22 August 2026. City rebuild under new leadership, United re-enter the Champions League, and Sunderland enter European competition alongside their domestic fixture list.