The largest cities yet to have a Premier League team

London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and… Bristol?

Despite being the eighth-biggest city in England, Bristol has never hosted Premier League football – but that could be about to change.

After reaching the Championship play-offs, a two-legged semi-final against Sheffield United and a possible final against Coventry or Sunderland at Wembley is all that stands between the Robins and the top flight.

Bristol City were relegated from Division One – the top tier prior to the introduction of the Premier League – in 1979-80 and have spent the past 25 seasons trying to get back to the top table.

The closest they have come was in 2007-08, but Hull proved too strong in the Championship play-off final.

After 10 successive seasons in the second tier, are Bristol City ready to end their exile?

Their city rivals Bristol Rovers have played in the third tier or lower since their relegation from Division One in 1992–93.

With an estimated population of about 480,000, Bristol is by far the biggest English city that has never had a Premier League team.

Doncaster had plenty to celebrate in 2022 when it was named as one of eight new cities for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

But its estimated 314,252 residents have not had much to celebrate on the football pitch in recent years.

Doncaster Rovers were relegated to League Two in 2021-22 and suffered defeat in the play-off semi-finals last season.

With an estimated population of nearly 300,000, Milton Keynes is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country.

But it still has some way to catch up in terms of attracting Premier League football, with MK Dons having only been formed back in 2004 after Wimbledon moved north from London

While technically a continuation of Wimbledon – who have played in the Premier League – they are considered a new club after their controversial relocation.

Sitting in the shadow of Manchester – home of course to City and United – Salford has a population of about 282,000.

Following investment from a quintet of ex-Manchester United players – Gary and Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt – along with businessman Peter Lim, Salford City have established themselves as a Football League club.

Salford City had never played above the fifth tier (currently National League level) before 2019-20.

Plymouth, with an estimated population of 256,000, is the fourth-biggest English city unable to boast any history of Premier League football.

After 13 seasons bouncing between League One and League Two, Plymouth Argyle did make it to the Championship for 2024-25. However, it proved a step too far as they were relegated.

Preston is the 21st biggest city in England, with an estimated population of 252,000.

The club is steeped in history and was one of the 12 founding members of the Football League in 1888, but a place in the Premier League has so far been elusive.

Preston’s most recent top-flight campaign was back in 1960-61, with each of their past 10 seasons spent in the Championship.

Not only has Peterborough never hosted Premier League football, they have also never experienced the top flight.

They got closest in 1992-93, when they achieved their highest finish of 10th in Division One (now the Championship).

After nine seasons outside of the Football League, York City are dreaming of a place in League Two.

York, a city with an estimated population of 202,000, has no shortage of attractions, with its castle, minster and winding medieval streets.

However, unlike many other cities in Yorkshire – Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford, Huddersfield and Barnsley – the people of York have not enjoyed the treat of the Premier League.

York City have spent the past 10 seasons outside of the Football League but they are a club on the up, with League Two in their sights.

With a population of about 180,000, Southend is another of England’s larger cities that has never had a Premier League football team.

In truth, they have never been close.

They have spent most of their existence bouncing between England’s third and fourth tiers although did enjoy a brief spell in the Championship in 2006 – before instant relegation.

Other notable mentions still waiting for Premier League football include the likes of Championship club Oxford (population 162,000), League One side Exeter (population 130,000), and League Two’s Colchester (population of 100,000).

Northampton (population 250,000) is the largest town to have never had a Premier League football team, although the Cobblers did play in the top flight in 1965-66.