Premier League's Next Big Move: Top Canadian Cities Still Without a 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.

Following their advancement to the Championship playoffs, Bristol City must navigate a two-legged semi-final against Sheffield United before potentially facing either Coventry or Sunderland in the final at Wembley, with promotion to the top tier hanging in the balance.

Bristol City were relegated from Division One—the highest level before the inception of the Premier League—in the 1979-80 season and have been attempting to return to the elite division for the last 25 years.

The nearest they came was during the 2007-08 season, however, Hull demonstrated their superiority in the Championship play-off final.

Following 10 consecutive seasons in the lower division, is Bristol City prepared to reclaim their place among the elites?

Their local competitors, Bristol Rovers, have competed in the third division or below ever since they were relegated from Division One during the 1992-93 season.

Bristol, with approximately 480,000 residents, is notably the largest English city without a Premier League team.

NextPlayNews explores some of the cities that have accommodated league football but haven’t experienced the thrill of the Premier League yet.

Doncaster

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

However, its approximately 314,252 inhabitants haven't had many reasons for joy on the football field in recent times.

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

However, brighter days could still lie ahead as they have already achieved their promotion to League One. Even so, the aspiration of playing in the Premier League seems far from reach.

Milton Keynes

Milton Keynes, with a projected populace of around 300,000, ranks among the most rapidly expanding urban areas within the nation.

However, it still needs more progress to attract Premier League football, as MK Dons were established just in 2004 following Wimbledon’s move north from London.

Although technically an extension of Wimbledon — which has competed in the Premier League — they are regarded as a new club following their contentious move.

After relocating to the city, the team has competed in all levels apart from the Premier League and currently finds itself near the lower end of the table as the League Two campaign approaches its conclusion.

Salford

Nestled in the shadow of Manchester — the hometown of Course to City and United — Salford boasts a population of around 282,000 residents.

Following Investment from five former Manchester United players Gary, Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, and Nicky Butt—alongside businessman Peter Lim—have solidified Salford City’s position as a member of the Football League clubs.

Before the 2019-20 season, Salford City had never competed at a level higher than the fifth tier (which is currently known as the National League).

The coming of the 'Class of 92' carried a hope of making it to the Premier League, yet this aspiration has not been achieved just yet.

Plymouth

With an approximate population of 256,000, Plymouth ranks as the fourth-largest English city without any heritage linked to the Premier League.

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.

The Pilgrims, established back in 1886, haven't just missed out on a spot in the Premier League; they've also never secured a position in England’s top-flight division throughout their history.

Preston

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.

In 2001 and 2009, Preston came close to earning promotion—qualifying for the playoffs on four instances. However, they were unsuccessful on these attempts as they lost twice in the semi-finals and also suffered defeats in both finals.

Peterborough

Peterborough has not only failed to host a single Premier League football match, but they have also never had the opportunity to witness top-flight action.

In 1992-93, they came as close as possible, securing their best-ever position of 10th place in what was then known as Division One (now called the Championship).

With approximately 218,000 residents, Peterborough has largely been relegated to the lower divisions of English football, consistently ending up below midfield in League One for this season.

York

Following nine years away from the Football League, York City are aspiring for a spot in League Two.

York, which boasts an approximate population of 202,000, offers numerous draws including its castle, minster, and meandering medieval lanes.

Nevertheless, distinct from numerous other Yorkshire towns such as Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford, Huddersfield, and Barnsley, the residents of York haven’t had the pleasure of hosting a Premier League team.

York City have spent the last 10 years away from the Football League, yet they are a club on the rise, with their eyes set firmly on promotion to League Two.

Following their achievement of placing second in the 2024-25 National League, York City has advanced to compete in the play-off semi-finals.

Southend-on-Sea

Southend, with approximately 180,000 residents, is one of England's more populous urban areas that has yet to host a team in the Premier League.

Actually, they have never been particularly close.

Most of their time has been spent moving between England’s third and fourth divisions, though they had a short stint in the Championship back in 2006—before being immediately relegated.

Given their current situation in the National League due to financial difficulties, it seems unlikely that Southend United will return to the top flight of English football anytime soon.

Which other cities haven't participated in the Premier League yet?

Other significant teams awaiting their turn in the Premier League include Championship outfit Oxford (with a population of 162,000), League One’s Exeter (populated by around 130,000 people), and League Two's Colchester (home to about 100,000 residents).

Northampton (with a population of 250,000) stands as the biggest town without ever hosting a Premier League football club, despite the fact that the Cobblers once competed at the highest level during the 1965-66 season.

Communities like Wells, Salisbury, Wakefield, Bath, and Worcester still do not have their own league football teams.

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