Two newly promoted clubs, Hull City and Ipswich Town, began their return to the Premier League with victories, but the weekend fell short of producing a clean sweep for all three promoted sides.
Hull stunned Manchester United 2-0 at the MKM Stadium on Saturday, while Ipswich Town edged Sunderland 2-1 to secure a winning start to their top-flight campaign.
Hull, back in the Premier League after a nine-year absence, produced one of the biggest shocks of the opening weekend.
Semi Ajayi gave the Tigers the lead before Nobel Mendy added a second to seal a memorable victory.
The result also ended Hull’s long wait for a league victory over Manchester United, with their previous success against the Red Devils dating back to 1974.
Ipswich, meanwhile, marked their return to the Premier League with a dramatic victory over Sunderland.
Jack Clarke struck in the 90th minute to complete a 2-1 comeback and hand Ipswich all three points.
The Premier League described the results as a “dream start” for the two promoted clubs.
However, Coventry City could not complete an unprecedented clean sweep after Arsenal defeated them 3-0 in their opening fixture.
The results mean 2026/27 has become only the fourth Premier League season in which two newly promoted teams have won their opening matches.
The previous occasions were 1997/98, 2021/22 and 2025/26.
In 1997/98, Bolton Wanderers defeated Southampton 1-0 before Crystal Palace beat Everton 2-1. Brentford and Watford repeated the achievement in 2021/22, defeating Arsenal and Aston Villa respectively.
Last season, Sunderland beat West Ham United 3-0, while Leeds United defeated Everton 1-0 to give two promoted teams winning starts.
Despite Hull and Ipswich claiming victories this season, the long-standing record remains intact: no Premier League campaign has ever seen all three promoted clubs win on the opening weekend.
Hull’s victory was particularly notable as it marked the second time the club had defeated the reigning Premier League champions in their first match after promotion.
The Tigers previously achieved the feat in 2016, when they beat Leicester City 2-1 on the opening day.
With Hull and Ipswich now joining the select group of promoted clubs to have won their opening Premier League fixtures, the 2026/27 campaign has provided another memorable start for sides returning to the top flight.
