Leicester City relegated to third division 10 years after shock Premier League title
Leicester City has fallen to a second consecutive relegation, being condemned to League One with a draw against Hull City.
It was one of the best sports stories of all time. Leicester City, 5,000-to-1 to win the English Premier League, became champion a decade ago. Fans in the East Midlands will always have the 2015-16 championship season, but it feels like ancient history now.
The Foxes will play in League One next season, the third tier of English soccer, with a 2-2 draw with Hull City on Tuesday confirming their relegation. It is the second relegation in a row after Leicester was sent down from the Premier League in 2024-25 with an 18th-place finish. Leicester also tumbled from the Premier League in 2022-23 before quickly returning.
Why did Leicester City get relegated to League One? While past teams like Leeds and Derby County also have gone from the top division to the third, Leicester's descent is by far the fastest in the Premier League era. The league has parachute payments meant to lessen the financial blow of falling a division, meaning smaller revenues from broadcasting rights, sponsorship and, typically, ticket sales.
And hopes were high for Leicester going into the year. The Foxes poached Spanish manager Marti Cifuentes from Queens Park Rangers in the same division and have one of the league's highest payrolls. Many players, like forward Patson Daka and attacking midfielder Bobby Reid, are veterans of the Premier League.