Can Hull City survive in the Premier League after defying the odds to win Championship play-offs?

As Hull City lifted the Championship play-off trophy aloft in the North West London skies, the inevitable Premier League predictions began raining in online.

After the most chaotic second-tier play-off campaign in memory, due to events that unfolded off the pitch, it was sixth-placed Hull who clinched promotion, beating Middlesbrough 1-0 in a drab Wembley Stadium affair.

Given that the Tigers only avoided relegation to League One by goal difference last term, coupled with their transfer embargo, it is astonishing that they were able to achieve such a monumental feat.

It goes without saying that the club are favourites to go straight back down next season, but how did they get here and could they survive in the top flight?

Hull City's whirlwind journey under Acun Ilicali

English football has been graced and scarred by club owners, and somehow, Acun Ilicali has managed to do both since buying Hull in 2022.

“I am happy that I have fulfilled one of my biggest dreams today," Ilicali said in a club statement upon his arrival.

"We are starting a beautiful journey with Hull City. We have many big dreams and goals to achieve together with our fans."

While the Turk would have been referring to reaching the Premier League, the mere thought seemed unfathomable as the club battled to maintain their Championship status, having been promoted from League One the season prior.

After ensuring their second-tier status at the first attempt, Ilicali made the defining call to hire former Tiger Liam Rosenior as manager in November 2022.

Rosenior guided Hull to a 15th-placed finish that term before an astonishing campaign of progression with the club finishing the 2023-24 season in seventh, narrowly missing out on the top six by three points on the final day.

Ilicali then showed his ruthless side as he sacked the Englishman just days after their final-day defeat to Plymouth Argyle for failing to make the play-offs.

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“This has been the most difficult decision I have had to make as chairman of this wonderful football club," he said.

He went on to explain that he had to set aside personal sentiment, discussing the pair's open working relationship before reiterating his dreams for the club.

“I know what this football club can achieve, and we will not stop in the pursuit of that."

At the time, the Turk's words seemed baffling as Rosenior had exceeded all outside expectations, taking the club to their highest league finish in eight years, but now the decision does not feel so daft.

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How the Tigers overcame the obstacles

Hull's unlikely promotion is astonishing on so many fronts, and it makes their underdog story even more commendable when you delve into the numbers and events off the pitch.

Last summer, the Tigers were given a three-window transfer embargo by the EFL for late payments to other clubs.

That meant the club had to be incredibly savvy off the pitch, and they evidently were, as Oli McBurnie and Gustavo Puerta arrived on free transfers, while Joe Gelhardt arrived on loan, all of whom played an integral part in their promotion.

The Tigers only reached the play-offs by the skin of their teeth, defeating Norwich City on the final day to leapfrog Wrexham, who were only able to draw with Boro.

By defeating Middlesbrough themselves in the final, Sergej Jakirovic's side became the first sixth-placed team to win promotion since Blackpool in 2010.

Not only that, but Hull defied the stat nerds too by finishing the campaign with the fifth-worst expected goals (xG) of any side in the division.

However, their trump card was their ability to take chances, as they were the most clinical outfit in the Championship.

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What are Hull's Premier League chances?

The omens do not look good for Hull City, but they can take inspiration from Sunderland and Leeds United's achievements this season as a blueprint for success.

However, the difference between the Tigers and the aforementioned sides is their difference in quality and financial power heading into the summer.

Yes, the club's transfer embargo no longer stands as it was implemented by the EFL, but owner Ilicali does not have the ability to spend as much as Black Cats owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus.

Nor does Hull have the strong spine that Leeds possessed when they lifted the Championship title in 2025.

Their biggest threat, McBurnie, has been immense in the second tier but has yet to prove himself in the Premier League, scoring six goals in the 2019-20 season, followed by just one in the campaign after.

Of course, the Scot has a point to prove, but the Tigers cannot rely on the 29-year-old to spearhead them to survival on the first attempt.

Beyond McBurnie, Jakirovic's starting lineup against Middlesbrough consists of old heads like John Egan and Matt Crooks, who have enjoyed stellar seasons but would struggle in the top flight.

Hull's best bet would be to mirror their style of play in the second tier and soak up pressure while being deadly on the counter, but unless they overhaul their squad, it will take another Ilicali dream to survive in the top tier.

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