Yes. Sunderland are in the Premier League for 2026/27. It is their 2nd straight season since returning in 2025/26, and their 18th Premier League season overall.
Sunderland's place in 2026/27
Sunderland are one of the 20 clubs in the 2026/27 Premier League. Their home ground is the Stadium of Light in Sunderland.
The current status is straightforward. Sunderland came back last season and stayed in the division, so they remain a Premier League club now.
Premier League spells
The club's separate runs in the competition show how often they have returned and how each period ended.
| Spell | Seasons | How it ended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1996/97 | Relegated |
| 2 | 1999/00–2002/03 | Relegated |
| 3 | 2005/06 | Relegated |
| 4 | 2007/08–2016/17 | Relegated |
| 5 | 2025/26 | Still in the league in 2026/27 |
Seen as a whole, Sunderland's top-flight story includes repeated returns and repeated drops. The current spell is still active, which sets it apart from the previous ones.
At a glance
A short summary table makes their Premier League status and record easy to place.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| First Premier League season | 1996/97 |
| Seasons played to 2025/26 | 17 |
| 2026/27 | 18th Premier League season |
| Titles | None |
| Best finish | 7th (1999/00, 2000/01, 2025/26) |
| Lowest finish | 20th (2002/03, 2005/06, 2016/17) |
| Relegations | 1996/97, 2002/03, 2005/06, 2016/17 |
| 2025/26 finish | 7th (54 points) |
| Home ground (2026/27) | Stadium of Light, Sunderland |
The overall picture is clear even without going line by line. Sunderland have never won the Premier League, but they have had strong finishes in it, and their latest return ended with qualification for the UEFA Europa League.
All-time Premier League record
The cumulative record gives a better sense of Sunderland's scale in the competition over time.
| Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals for | Goals against | Points | All-time rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 646 | 167 | 171 | 308 | 654 | 952 | 672 | 17th |
Those totals run through the end of 2025/26. Sunderland's all-time goal difference is -298, and their place in the all-time table is 17th, which shows a long and substantial Premier League footprint even with several relegations across different eras.
FAQ
When were Sunderland last in the Premier League before this current run?
They returned for 2025/26 and have remained in the division since then. Before that return, their previous Premier League season was 2016/17, so they had been away for 8 seasons.
How many Premier League seasons have Sunderland played?
Up to and including 2025/26, Sunderland had played 17 Premier League seasons. In 2026/27, that total becomes 18.
When did Sunderland win promotion to the Premier League?
Sunderland were promoted for 1996/97, 1999/00, 2005/06, 2007/08 and 2025/26. The latest promotion brought them back after their last top-flight season in 2016/17.
How many times have Sunderland been relegated from the Premier League?
They have been relegated 4 times. Those relegations came at the end of 1996/97, 2002/03, 2005/06 and 2016/17.
Have Sunderland ever won the Premier League?
No. Their best Premier League finish is 7th, achieved in 1999/00, 2000/01 and 2025/26.