These Championship sides are currently tied for the longest active tenure in the division

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The 2025/26 Championship campaign is just months away, and what a season we have in store.

Fixture release day on 26 June is sure to be met with plenty of excitement, and there are many games that EFL fans will be keen to watch this season.

However, following promotions for Leeds United, Burnley and Sunderland, supporters will be looking at their teams’ chances of promotion in 2025/26 as their clubs look to bid goodbye to the second tier.

EFL Analysis has taken a look at which current Championship side have spent the most time in the division, and the answer may not surprise you.

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The clubs who have spent the most consecutive seasons in the Championship currently

There are three sides who are entering their 11th consecutive season in the Championship as Bristol City, Preston North End and QPR all prepare for the new campaign.

The Robins and the Lilywhites were promoted from League One in 2015, with the Lancashire side going up via the play-offs while City eased to the league title with an incredible 99 points.

Meanwhile, QPR were relegated from the Premier League at the end of 2014/15 and the R’s have not returned to the top flight since. They have finished in the top half on just three occasions since they were demoted back to the Championship and once again they finished in mid-table in 2024/25.

Bristol City were beaten by Sheffield United in the play-offs in May as they missed out on an exit from the second tier while Preston North End avoided relegation on the final day.

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Three sides are tied for the most seasons in the second tier since the rebrand

Since the division rebranded in 2004, three clubs have played in the league for 19 seasons.

Derby County and QPR are set to join Cardiff City on that number in the upcoming campaign as the Bluebirds relinquish their sole claim on the top spot following relegation to League One.

The Rams would be clear had it not been for administration, as they were deducted 21 points – one of the biggest point deduction totals in English football history.

Nevertheless, all 24 sides in the Championship will be gearing up for the new season and hoping that they can leave the second tier behind by the time May comes around.