The 2025/26 Premier League season delivered another fiercely contested campaign in English football, with some of the country's biggest clubs competing for the title and crucial positions in the final standings. The race at the top involved Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Liverpool and other leading sides, while every position in the table carried importance for European qualification and the final outcome of the season. After 38 matches, the Premier League campaign came to an end, producing a clear champion and a final top five that shaped the qualification places for the 2026/27 European season. In this article, we look at which club won the 2025/26 Premier League title and how the leading teams finished the campaign.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Liverpool qualify for the Champions League after finishing fifth?

Yes. England received an additional UEFA Champions League place through UEFA's European Performance Spot system, allowing Liverpool to qualify after finishing fifth.

Which five Premier League clubs qualified for the 2026/27 Champions League?

Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Liverpool qualified for the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League.

Who are the defending Premier League champions for 2026/27?

Arsenal entered the 2026/27 season as the defending Premier League champions.

Arsenal Won the 2025/26 Premier League

Arsenal finished first in the 2025/26 Premier League standings to secure the league title. The club's success placed them ahead of Manchester City in second place, while Manchester United finished third. Aston Villa secured fourth position, and Liverpool completed the top five. The Premier League title also secured Arsenal a place in the UEFA Champions League for the 2026/27 season as English champions.

2025/26 Premier League Top Five Final Standings

The top five clubs in the final 2025/26 Premier League standings were: (Premier League)

1. Arsenal: Arsenal finished 1st and won the 2025/26 Premier League title.

2. Manchester City: Manchester City finished 2nd and ended the season as runners-up.

3. Manchester United: Manchester United finished 3rd in the Premier League.

4. Aston Villa: Aston Villa finished 4th in the final standings.

5. Liverpool: Liverpool finished 5th in the Premier League table.

The top five positions were particularly important because England received an additional UEFA Champions League place through UEFA's European Performance Spot system. As a result, all five clubs qualified for the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League.

Arsenal's Place at the Top of English Football

Winning the Premier League remains one of the most difficult achievements in club football. A team must maintain consistency across a 38-match season while competing against some of the strongest squads in Europe. Arsenal successfully finished above Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Liverpool to claim first place. The title also established Arsenal as the leading English club of the 2025/26 domestic season. For Arsenal supporters, finishing as Premier League champions was the ultimate reward for a successful campaign.

Manchester City Finished Second

Manchester City finished second behind Arsenal. Although City did not win the Premier League title, their second-place finish secured qualification for the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League. Finishing among England's leading clubs ensured that Manchester City remained part of European football's most prestigious club competition for the following season.

Manchester United Finished Third

Manchester United finished third in the last Premier League. The result represented a strong league campaign and secured the club a place in the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League. Manchester United joined Arsenal, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Liverpool as England's five representatives in the competition.

Aston Villa Finished Fourth

Aston Villa completed the Premier League season in fourth place. Finishing inside the traditional Champions League qualification positions ensured their participation in the 2026/27 competition. Villa's position among the Premier League's top four was another significant achievement in a highly competitive season.

Liverpool Finished Fifth

Liverpool finished fifth in the 2025/26 Premier League table. In many previous seasons, fifth place would not have guaranteed qualification for the UEFA Champions League. However, England earned an additional Champions League place through UEFA's European Performance Spot system. That meant Liverpool's fifth-place finish was enough to secure a place in the 2026/27 Champions League.

Why Did Five Premier League Clubs Qualify for the Champions League?

England received an additional UEFA Champions League place because of the performances of English clubs in UEFA competitions. UEFA awards European Performance Spots to the associations whose clubs achieve the strongest collective performances in European competitions during the relevant season. England earned one of those additional places, allowing the Premier League's top five clubs to qualify for the 2026/27 Champions League.

What Arsenal's Title Win Means for the 2026/27 Season

As Premier League champions, Arsenal entered the 2026/27 season as the defending champions of England. Their title success also guaranteed their participation in the UEFA Champions League. Arsenal will therefore face the challenge of defending their domestic crown while competing against Europe's leading clubs during the same season. The 2026/27 campaign will show whether Arsenal can retain their Premier League title or whether one of their rivals can take the trophy away from them.

Wind Up 

Arsenal were the winners of the 2025/26 Premier League title after finishing first in the final standings. Manchester City finished second, Manchester United took third place, Aston Villa finished fourth, and Liverpool completed the top five. The season was particularly significant because all five of the top five clubs qualified for the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League. England's additional European Performance Spot meant that Liverpool's fifth-place finish was enough to secure Champions League football. Arsenal now enter the 2026/27 campaign as defending champions, with the challenge of retaining their Premier League crown while competing in Europe.