Ipswich Town are back in the Premier League. On Saturday afternoon at a raucous Portman Road, the Tractor Boys clinched automatic promotion from the Championship with a commanding 3-0 victory against Queens Park Rangers, securing second place and an instant return to the top flight just one season after relegation.
Goals from George Hirst and Jaden Philogene inside the first 10 minutes set the tone for a dominant display, with Kasey McAteer adding a third late on to spark wild celebrations among the sold-out crowd. The result capped a resilient campaign in which Kieran McKenna’s side amassed 84 points, notched a league-high 92 goals, and delivered when it mattered most on the final day.
This marks McKenna’s third promotion with Ipswich in four seasons — from League One in 2022/23, the Championship in 2023/24, and now again in 2025/26 after last season’s top-flight relegation. No previous Ipswich manager has achieved three promotions during their tenure.
Speaking after the match, McKenna acknowledged the challenge of this latest success. “No, it means a lot. I have to say it’s probably been the hardest one if I’m honest. So yeah, it means an awful lot. I’m so grateful to my family and the staff, the way they supported me and yeah, it’s brilliant.”
The Northern Irishman, a former Manchester United assistant, has rebuilt the squad and adapted tactically following relegation, guiding his team to an unbeaten run in the closing stages and automatic promotion ahead of rivals like Millwall and Middlesbrough.
Fans flooded the pitch at full-time as blue-and-white flares lit up Portman Road, echoing the memorable scenes from their previous promotions. The victory guarantees Premier League football at Portman Road for the 2026/27 season, with Ipswich joining Coventry City as the automatic promotees.
McKenna’s side showed character throughout a competitive Championship season, bouncing back from setbacks and maintaining consistency to finish strongly. While questions remain about their ability to stay up this time around compared to their previous Premier League stint, the immediate return underlines the progress made under the 38-year-old manager.
