Arsenal may have wrapped up their first league title in 22 years on Tuesday evening, but the 2025-26 Premier League season is far from finished. Sunday's simultaneous final-day fixtures carry genuine drama at both ends of the table, with European places and a Championship berth all still to be settled.
The Champions League picture
Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United are already confirmed as three of England's Champions League representatives next season. Aston Villa are the fourth, having done enough to secure their place. What remains up for discussion is whether five or six English clubs ultimately compete in the competition.
England have claimed one of UEFA's Elite Performance Spots, which guarantees at least five Premier League clubs in next season's Champions League. A sixth spot becomes available only if Villa win Wednesday's Europa League final against Freiburg and then drop to fifth on Sunday, allowing a rival to leapfrog them into fourth.
For that chain reaction to benefit Liverpool, Arne Slot's side would need to beat Brentford at Anfield while Villa lose at the Etihad. Currently three points adrift of Villa in fifth, Liverpool need everything to fall their way. Bournemouth and Brighton are also watching closely — if the sixth spot opens up, one of those two sides could take it.
The Cherries need just a point at Nottingham Forest to guarantee a top-six finish. Brighton's route is narrower: they must beat Manchester United and hope Bournemouth slip up at the City Ground.
If Villa fail to win the Europa League final, England simply take five Champions League berths — the top five. In that scenario Liverpool require only a point against Brentford to be safe, though a defeat combined with a Bournemouth win at Forest would theoretically put them in danger given goal difference.
Europa League and Conference League
Bournemouth have already booked European football for the first time in their history, with a top-seven finish secured. Whether that becomes Champions League or Europa League football depends on the outcomes above.
Brighton currently sit seventh and hold a one-point cushion over Chelsea and Brentford. A Seagulls win seals Europa League football at minimum. If they fail to win, Chelsea — who face Sunderland — can move ahead of them. Remarkably, Sunderland themselves could finish in the top seven if results go their way, though they would need Brighton to lose and Brentford to drop points.
Chelsea occupy eighth place heading into Sunday, which currently represents the single Conference League play-off qualifying spot — earned because City won the EFL Cup and England secured the EPS. The Blues seal European football with a win over Sunderland. Brentford can also claim eighth if they better Chelsea's result, and Sunderland could yet leap both clubs if they win and Brentford fail to take anything from Anfield.
Relegation: Tottenham or West Ham?
At the foot of the table, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley are already down. The third club heading to the Championship will be either Tottenham Hotspur or West Ham United, with that contest going to the wire on Sunday.
Key final-day fixtures to watch
- Liverpool v Brentford — Champions League implications at Anfield
- Manchester City v Aston Villa — Villa's European fate could shift dramatically
- Brighton v Manchester United — Europa League spot on the line for the Seagulls
- Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth — The Cherries chasing a top-six finish
- Sunderland v Chelsea — Conference League and surprise top-seven bid
- Tottenham v West Ham — Straight fight to avoid the final relegation place
The noises out of most camps suggest Sunday's 4pm kick-offs cannot come quickly enough. For neutrals, it is exactly the kind of season finale that reminds you why simultaneous final-day scheduling exists — the table is still genuinely alive from second place all the way to twentieth.
Frequently asked
- How many Premier League clubs will be in the Champions League next season?
- At least five. England's Elite Performance Spot guarantees five Premier League clubs in next season's Champions League. A sixth place is possible only if Aston Villa win the Europa League final and then finish fifth in the league on the final day.
- Which teams are still fighting relegation on the last day?
- Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley are already relegated. The third and final relegated club will be either Tottenham Hotspur or West Ham United, with their final-day fixture effectively a straight play-off to stay up.
- What time do the Premier League final-day fixtures kick off?
- All Premier League final-day matches kick off simultaneously at 16:00 BST on Sunday.