English Premier League teams that have never been relegated

English Premier League teams that have never been relegated

Kevin Omuya
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:13 PM

The Premier League is one of the most challenging leagues in the world. It has not been easy for clubs to survive in the English top flight. Three divisions are lower than the Premier League, and these 72 clubs battle daily, hoping to reach the top of English football. Here are some of the EPL teams that have never been relegated.

EPL teams that have never been relegated
Mikel John Obi of Chelsea and Dimitar Berbatov of Manchester United. Photo: AMA
Source: Getty Images

While Premier League was established in 1992, only six clubs have remained untouched by relegation. Therefore, our focus today is on those impeccable six clubs.

Which teams in the Premier League have never been relegated?

Since the establishment of the Premier League as the successor competition to the First Division in 1992, only a small number of clubs can claim never to have been relegated. Teams that have never been relegated from the PL are Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool, Everton, and Chelsea. Those six clubs have been constants in the top division for decades.

Brighton is a new addition to that number, but only by virtue. They have not been relegated since being promoted to the PL for the 2017-18 season.

Exciting feature: Check out news exactly for YOU ➡️ find "Recommended for you" block and enjoy!

Which PL teams have never been relegated?

Only six clubs have avoided the plunge into the Premier League's cellar since its inception in 1982. Here is the list of EPL teams that have never been relegated.

1. Chelsea

Which teams in the premier league have never been relegated
Chelsea players celebrate with the Premier League trophy at Stamford Bridge on May 21, 2017, in London, England. Photo: Phil Shephard-Lewis
Source: Getty Images

It should not be surprising that Chelsea, one of the heavyweights, is mentioned. The London team has five Premier League championships to its name.

However, they last won under Antonio Conte's direction in the 2016–17 campaign. The last time Chelsea was demoted was in 1987–88; afterwards, they were promoted back in 1988–89.

They have not looked back since and are one of only six clubs to avoid relegation during the Premier League era. However, the club's history significantly shifted when Roman Abramovich bought the team in 2003. First, he donated much-needed money to the club. Then, it reached new heights under club greats like Jose Mourinho, Didier Drogba, and Frank Lampard.

2. Tottenham Hotspurs

Which PL teams have never been relegated
Tottenham Hotspur celebrates winning the Carling Cup as Robbie Keane holds the trophy aloft. Photo: Dave Thompson
Source: Getty Images

This list also includes another London team, Tottenham Hotspurs. In 1978–79, the Lilwhytes were promoted to the first division and have remained there ever since. They have not won as many games as other clubs, but they have always been formidable foes in the League.

Despite coming so close to winning the League numerous times, the Spurs have never been able to add a championship to their resume. However, one of the club's most outstanding achievements in the last decade is their runner-up performance in the Champions League in 2018–19. Harry Kane, Gareth Bale, Luka Modric, Son Heung-min, and a slew of others are just a few of the world-class players to come out of Tottenham in recent years.

3. Manchester United

Teams that have never been relegated from premier league
Manchester United celebrates with the Barclays Premier League trophy after the Barclays Premier League match at Old Trafford, Manchester. Photo: Martin Rickett
Source: Getty Images

Next up is arguably the most famous English club, Manchester United. They have won 20 league titles and three European Championships. Indeed, the Red Devils have not been as good as they once were, but that has not stopped them from being one of the most followed teams in history.

Manchester United are the most popular team in the world, and they have been known to produce stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Eric Cantona, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, and many more. So it is highly improbable that they will soon be demoted from the competition.

4. Liverpool

Which PL teams have never been relegated
Liverpool players celebrate with The Premier League trophy following the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield on July 22, 2020, in Liverpool, England. Photo: Paul Ellis
Source: Getty Images

It is no secret that Liverpool is one of England's Big Six teams. Liverpool has won one Premier League championship, putting them second only to Manchester United in all-time top-flight victories. They have been a Premier League and European powerhouse in recent years.

Also, Liverpool has won more European championships than any other English club, a total of six. Furthermore, Anfield is considered by many of the game's all-time greats to be among the most challenging venues to play in, which helps to account for Liverpool's incredible global fan base.

5. Everton

Teams that have never been relegated from premier league
FA Cup Final, Everton v Manchester United at Wembley Stadium, 20th May 1995. Photo: Brendan Monks
Source: Getty Images

For many, the inclusion of Everton on this list will be a complete shock. However, Everton has a rich tradition in English football. Though they appear to be a middle-of-the-pack club, they have won 9 championships in the top flight. Furthermore, although they were demoted in 1954–55, the Merseyside club has never been relegated from the competition.

Liverpool and Everton have one of the oldest rivalries in English football, a passionate Merseyside rivalry in the PL. However, Everton avoided relegation by a hair's breadth last season, finishing in 16th place.

6. Arsenal

Which teams in the premier league have never been relegated
Arsenal players' champagne celebrations with the Barclaycard Premiership trophy at Arsenal's Highbury Stadium, London, Saturday, May 15, 2004. Photo: Sean Dempsey
Source: Getty Images

The third London team on this list is Arsenal. On top of that, they're the oldest club in the Premier League. They have been in the PL since the 1919–20 season. So Arsenal has a long and illustrious history in the Premier League, where they have consistently been a top team.

The Gunners are the lone team in Premier Title history to win the League and go undefeated in the regular season. Thierry Henry, Robert Pires, Patrick Vieira, and many more are among Arsenal's all-time greats. Even though the Gunners are amidst a rebuilding period, their prospects for the future are excellent.

Which team in England has never been relegated?

Which team in England has never been relegated?
Wesley Fofana of Chelsea celebrates with teammates after scoring their side's first goal during the UEFA Champions at Stamford Bridge on October 05, 2022, in London, England. Photo: Mike Hewitt
Source: Getty Images

Only a select few clubs have managed to avoid relegation since the PL's inception as the successor tournament to the English First Division in 1992. Man Utd, Arsenal, Spurs, Liverpool, Everton, Chelsea, and Everton round out the list.

Which two clubs have never been relegated?

  • Chelsea: It is one of the heavyweights of the Premier League, and their name should not come as a surprise.
  • Manchester United: It is the biggest football club in English history.

Has Arsenal FC ever been relegated?

Since their return to the Premier League in 1919, Arsenal is the only PL club that has never been relegated. Nonetheless, they remain the only team to ever reach the premier division without first achieving promotion.

There is stiff competition in the English premier league as Manchester City has dominated the competition in the last two seasons. However, despite their current display of talents and skills, they are not among the teams that have never been relegated from the League.

READ ALSO: FIFA World Cup Qatar: 2022 dates, qualifiers, schedules, stadiums, fixtures

Sportsbrief.com recently published an article about FIFA World Cup Qatar: 2022. The dates, all qualifiers, groups, schedules, stadiums, and fixtures are all outlined.

The World Cup is a competition that brings people from all walks of life together in support of their national team. Click on the link above to find the dates, schedules, and fixtures for the 2022 FIFA world cup.

Authors
Kevin Omuya photo
Kevin Omuya
Kevin Omuya is a Content Writer with 4 years of experience who joined Sports Brief in 2022. In 2019 he held a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Digital Media from KCA University.