The Championship has long been regarded as one of the hardest divisions in world football. Every season, a number of clubs with a strong pedigree, massive fan bases, and long histories compete for a spot in the Premier League.

Many supporters and neutrals would claim that by playing in the Championship, they are competing below their true level. Of all, modern football is ultimately defined by what happens on the pitch and what the final league table says after 46 games.

However, when considering English football’s traditional giants, there are always a few clubs whose size, history, and fan base are synonymous with the top flight. Some have just achieved Premier League success, while others established their reputations decades ago, but their significance remains significant today.

The five Championship clubs with the highest Premier League size, stature, and history

Looking at the present Championship environment in 2025/26, some clubs stand out for their size and success in English football. These are the teams that many would argue belong in the Premier League conversation, whether it’s because of historical honours, passionate fan bases, or a long history of success in the top division.

There are several variables to consider when discussing this topic. However, in no particular sequence, we have looked at five Championship clubs whose stature suggests they are natural fits for the top flight.

Leicester City

Leicester City’s presence on this list is nearly unquestionable due to their achievements in the modern period. Their unexpected victory in the 2015/16 Premier League remains one of the most incredible sporting stories of all time, quickly sealing their place in English football history. Add to that a 2021 FA Cup Final triumph and numerous years of participation in European play, and Leicester’s status has risen dramatically. The Foxes were already a well-known top-flight club prior to their title-winning season. Despite their current league place in 2026, their following, infrastructure, and recent pedigree make them feel like a Premier League mainstay rather than a Championship competitor.

West Bromwich Albion

Few clubs outside the conventional “Big Six” have spent as much time in England’s top flight as West Brom. The Baggies, being founding members of the Football League and winners of the 1968 FA Cup Final, have a history that is inherently associated with top-flight football. The Hawthorns has hosted countless seasons of premier competition, and their fan base is among the most devoted in the Midlands. While recent decades have witnessed a typical pattern of promotion and relegation, West Brom’s historical heritage and persistent competitiveness give them the sense of a Premier League team. Despite a challenging 2025/26 season, Leicester continues to thrive.

Sheffield Wednesday

Given their troubles this season, it’s safe to assume that some of the Championship’s most traditional, historic, and largest clubs are fighting for relegation this season. Given recent challenges, Sheffield Wednesday’s case is mainly based on historical relevance. The Owls are one of the most decorated clubs outside of the current Premier League regulars, having won four English league titles and three FA Cups. Hillsborough has been the home of top-flight football for much of the club’s history, and despite years of upheaval, their devoted fans continue to show out in big numbers. While it has been decades since Wednesday were truly competitive at the highest level, their place in English football history remains inextricably linked to the top flight.

Southampton

Only ten English football clubs have played in more Premier League seasons (25) and earned more points (1,110) than Southampton. Their current reputation has been mostly built throughout the Premier League era. No club outside the conventional elite has spent as many seasons in the competition, with the Saints being a regular fixture in the top tier over the last three decades. The club has also established a reputation for generating great talent through its academy, with players like Gareth Bale and Alan Shearer rising from its junior system. With that pedigree, a solid following, and constant infrastructure, Southampton still seems like a Premier League club traveling through the Championship.

Blackburn Rovers

The historic 1994/95 Premier League title win under Kenny Dalglish secured Blackburn’s place in English football history. That achievement is still seen as one of the most famous in league history, ensuring Rovers’ place in the Premier League tale for all time. They, along with Leicester, are the only clubs outside of the top division to have won it, and two of just seven since 1992. Aside from that triumph, Blackburn was a key power in the early years of English football, winning numerous league titles in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Their long-standing top-flight presence and devoted fan base give them the impression of a club that should be fighting with England’s elite.

Honorable mentions for Premier League clubs competing in the Championship.

Several additional Championship clubs might potentially make a compelling argument for inclusion on a list of sides that “belong” in the Premier League, narrowly missing out on the top five but deserving an honorable mention.

Sheffield United are one such team. The Blades have a strong history of success in top-flight football, including a league title and four FA Cups. Their fervent fan base at Bramall Lane, as well as many Premier League appearances in recent years, highlight their status as a Championship heavyweight at worst.

Middlesbrough has a solid case, having won a trophy in the contemporary era. The Teesside club was a Premier League mainstay in the 2000s, winning the EFL Cup in 2004 and reaching the UEFA Cup Final in 2006. It was an incredible run that solidified their status on the European scene.

Coventry City spent a long time in the top division and may finally return in 2026, whilst Derby County has a rich history of success, including two First Division titles in the 1970s. Ipswich Town has a similarly impressive heritage, having won the league and the UEFA Cup Final in 1981 under Bobby Robson.

Bolton Wanderers are not a Championship team, but they played a significant role in the Premier League’s ‘Barclays’ period. They are perhaps the largest and most historic club outside of the top two divisions. Finally, Portsmouth is another club from the same era; they are still one of the most passionately supported clubs outside of the first division, having won the FA Cup in 2008.

Birmingham City are another big name in the Championship, and they have won a trophy since the turn of the millennium. However, all are near misses, with histories and fanbases that keep them in the conversation – albeit just outside the top five.