Hull City Celebrate Premier League Promotion After Wembley Win

Hull City reached the Premier League after securing a dramatic win against Middlesbrough in the Championship play-off final held at Wembley Stadium on 23 May 2026. With a late goal from Oli McBurnie, the Tigers clinched a spot in the top tier for the coming season, overcoming a challenging year that saw them finish 21st in the Championship last season.

Despite a transfer embargo limiting their signings to free transfers and loans, Hull defied expectations under the guidance of head coach Sergej Jakirovic. The team navigated through off-field drama, including the turbulence surrounding Southampton’s expulsion from the play-offs, which altered their preparations. Jakirovic described his side’s journey as "an unbelievable journey" and expressed pride in his players, who he credited as the main actors in their success.

As a reward for their hard work, the players are set to take a trip to Las Vegas, a gesture promised by club owner Acun Ilicali. However, Jakirovic will skip the trip to spend time with family in Croatia, emphasizing the trip was for the players.

Jakirovic entered the season aiming to prove a point after previously managing Dinamo Zagreb, where his reputation suffered following a heavy defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League. His tenure at Hull, however, has turned a corner, leading the club to significant achievements. Despite being labeled as underdogs, Hull overcame expectations with their victory on a hot day at Wembley.

Involved from the early stages of the season, Hull's head of recruitment, Martin Hodge, initially felt uncertain about joining the club after they narrowly avoided relegation the previous season. Hodge praised the squad's performance and the new management style Jakirovic brought, which contrasted with the more traditional approaches he had encountered throughout his 52 years in football.

The triumph at Wembley also provided Hodge with confidence that he could operate with a slightly larger budget for the next season, post-victory in the play-offs against Millwall. Meanwhile, Ilicali, who had previously indicated intentions to take legal action if Middlesbrough defeated Hull, reveled in the club's success, calling it "the best day of my life" and highlighting the significance of the victory after a tumultuous wait during stoppage time.

As Hull prepares for the upcoming Premier League season, celebrations are underway, whether in Las Vegas or at home in East Yorkshire.