The Premier League’s newest addition: Underdogs triumph in soccer’s ‘richest game’

The full list of teams for the 2025/26 Premier League season has been confirmed after a shock winner in the Championship play-off final on Saturday.

Sunderland AFC and Sheffield United met for the winner-takes-all clash at Wembley Stadium. The favorites - Sheffield United - finished 14 points ahead of Sunderland during the regular season and took the lead in the first half, but Sunderland fought back to claim a historic victory and book their return to the Premier League.

The decisive goal was a 95th-minute curler from Sunderland youngster Tommy Watson, who has endured a tough few months. The 19-year-old agreed a deal to join Brighton & Hove Albion last month and was booed by his own fans on a subsequent appearance.

He may be leaving the team this summer, but Watson’s moment of magic has secured the Premier League return after eight years away and has banked his boyhood club an incredible financial windfall.

The richest game in world soccer

The playoff clash between Sunderland and Sheffield United not have the global reach of the World Cup final or the prestige of the Champions League. But in terms of financial heft, it could be argued to be the biggest game in the world.

Winners Sunderland have booked their place in the Premier League and all the benefits that the world’s most-watched league brings. A report from BBC Sport reveals that the Black Cats stand to receive a £200 million ($271m) boost from their win over Sheffield United.

A large part of that comes from the Premier League’s enormous television rights deals, comprising around £12.25 billion ($15.3bn) for the 2025 to 2028 cycle. The league’s UK broadcast deal alone is currently worth about £6.7 billion ($9.1bn) across four years.

Even if Sunderland are relegated immediately, they will benefits from substantial ‘parachute payments’ in the following three years, ensuring that they can outspend the majority of Championship teams.

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