The largest cities yet to have a Premier League team

Bristol City's Ashton Gate has a capacity of 27,000

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.

After reaching the Championship play-offs, a two-legged semi-final against Sheffield United and a possible final against Coventry or Sunderland at Wembley is all that stands between the Robins and the top flight.

Bristol City were relegated from Division One - the top tier prior to the introduction of the Premier League - in 1979-80 and have spent the past 45 seasons trying to get back to the top table.

The closest they have come was in 2007-08, but Hull proved too strong in the Championship play-off final.

After 10 successive seasons in the second tier, are Bristol City ready to end their exile?

Their city rivals Bristol Rovers have played in the third tier or lower since their relegation from Division One in 1992–93.

With an estimated population of about 480,000, Bristol is by far the biggest English city that has never had a Premier League team.

BBC Sport looks at some of the cities who have hosted league football but are yet to get a taste of the Premier League.

Doncaster

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

But its estimated 314,252 residents have not had much to celebrate on the football pitch in recent years.

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

Brighter days may be ahead though, with promotion to League One already secured, although the dream of ever featuring in the Premier League appears to be a distant one.

Milton Keynes

With an estimated population of nearly 300,000, Milton Keynes is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country.

But it still has some way to catch up in terms of attracting Premier League football, with MK Dons having only been formed back in 2004 after Wimbledon moved north from London

While technically a continuation of Wimbledon - who have played in the Premier League - they are considered a new club after their controversial relocation.

Since moving to the city, the club have played in every tier except the Premier League and sit towards the bottom of the table as the League Two season winds down.

Salford

Sitting in the shadow of Manchester - home of course to City and United - Salford has a population of about 282,000.

Following investment from a quintet of ex-Manchester United players - Gary and Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt - along with businessman Peter Lim, Salford City have established themselves as a Football League club.

Salford City had never played above the fifth tier (currently National League level) before 2019-20.

The arrival of the 'Class of 92' brought with it a dream of reaching the Premier League - but that remains some way from being fulfilled.

Plymouth

Plymouth, with an estimated population of 256,000, is the fourth-biggest English city unable to boast any history of Premier League football.

After 13 seasons bouncing between League One and League Two, Plymouth Argyle did make it to the Championship in 2023. However, it proved a step too far as they were relegated this season.

Not only have the Pilgrims, who were founded in 1886, been without a Premier League berth but they have never held a place in the top tier of English football.

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.

Preston did flirt with promotion 2001 and 2009 - securing a play-off berth on four occasions, but they twice fell short in the semi-finals and lost two finals.

Peterborough

Not only has Peterborough never hosted Premier League football, they have also never experienced the top flight.

They got closest in 1992-93, when they achieved their highest finish of 10th in Division One (now the Championship).

Now with a population of around 218,000, Posh have spent most of their time in the bottom two tiers of English football, finishing below mid table in League One this campaign.

York

After nine seasons outside of the Football League, York City are dreaming of a place in League Two.

York, a city with an estimated population of 202,000, has no shortage of attractions, with its castle, minster and winding medieval streets.

However, unlike many other cities in Yorkshire - Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford, Huddersfield and Barnsley - the people of York have not enjoyed the treat of the Premier League.

York City have spent the past 10 seasons outside of the Football League but they are a club on the up, with League Two in their sights.

After finishing 2024-25 second in the National League, York City have secured a place in the play-off semi-finals.

Southend-on-Sea

With a population of about 180,000, Southend is another of England's larger cities that has never had a Premier League football team.

In truth, they have never been close.

They have spent most of their existence bouncing between England's third and fourth tiers although did enjoy a brief spell in the Championship in 2006 - before instant relegation.

Now in the National League after financial hardship, it would be hard to imagine the Shrimpers enjoying top-flight football any time soon.

What other cities have yet to play in Premier League?

Other notable mentions still waiting for Premier League football include the likes of Championship club Oxford (population 162,000), League One side Exeter (population 130,000), and League Two's Colchester (population of 100,000).

Northampton (population 250,000) is the largest town to have never had a Premier League football team, although the Cobblers did play in the top flight in 1965-66.

Cities such as Wells, Salisbury, Wakefield, Bath and Worcester are yet to even have league football teams.