Largest English cities to never have a Premier League team

With Bristol City nearing a playoff semi-final clash against Sheffield United, we take a look at the largest English cities never to have a team play Premier League football.

Despite boasting the eighth-largest population of any city in the country, Bristol has never hosted Premier League football but fans of Bristol City will be hoping that could all change soon.

The Robins last suffered relegation from England's top-flight in 1979/80, seven seasons prior to the restructure of the English footballing pyramid and have been absent ever since.

2024/25 marks their 10th consecutive Championship campaign but they are potentially three games away from ending that run.

Liam Manning has guided his team to a playoff semi-final against Sheffield United - the first time the club have finished inside the top six since 2007/08.

Arch-rivals Bristol Rovers have never competed in England's top division meaning that with a population of well in excess of 420,000, the city is by far the largest never to host a Premier League game.

What other cities are the largest never to have a Premier League side?

Plymouth

Over 250,000 people reside in Plymouth and not only have they never hosted a Premier League match, they have never reached the top-flight altogether.

The second tier has remained Plymouth Argyle's ceiling throughout their 139-year history and after suffering relegation in 2024-25, the wait to reach the top of the English footballing pyramid continues.

Preston

Preston North End are a club woven into the history of English football.

The Lilywhites were one of the founding members of the English game and have twice been crowned champions of it's first division.

They most recently competed in the top-flight in 1960/61 with the last decade being spent solely in the Championship.

Salford

With Manchester just a stones throw away, it's easy to forget that Salford is the home to over 250,000 people.

Salford City FC had never played at a higher level than England's fifth tier until investment from a group of ex-Manchester United players saw The Ammies achieve Football League status for the very first time in 2019/20.