Sunderland

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The BBC's Ask Me Anything team have done all of the research ahead of the announcement detailing next season's Premier League matches.

The fixtures for the 2025-26 season will be released at 09:00 BST on Wednesday, 18 June 2025 and the release will include the weekly schedule of all 380 matches.

The season will begin with a single fixture played on Friday, 15 August 2025 and conclude on Sunday, 24 May 2026, when all matches will be played at 16:00 BST. There will be 33 weekend rounds of fixtures, plus five midweek rounds.

The exact date and time at which individual matches are played during each weekend will be determined at regular intervals throughout the season, based on TV selections made by broadcasters.

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England midfielder Jordan Henderson, 34, could leave Dutch club Ajax and make a stunning return to hometown club Sunderland this summer. (Mirror), external

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Sunderland have been chosen as the Team of the Season by the pundits on the 72+ EFL podcast.

After guiding the Black Cats to promotion via a dramatic play-off final win over Sheffield United at Wembley on Saturday, head coach Regis Le Bris was singled out for praise, though he missed out on the Manager of the Season accolade to Charlton's Nathan Jones.

Pundit Jobi McAnuff said: "If you're talking about who has overachieved this season you have to have Regis Le Bris up there because nobody would have had Sunderland getting promoted this season given the model of the club, such a young squad and a manager that was untested in this country. Sensational."

The panel were in agreement on Sunderland being the team of the season, however, with McAnuff saying: "A young team, looked as though they had run their race, went on a really bad patch of form but regrouped, got themselves together and had a couple of iconic EFL moments down the stretch - Dan Ballard's last minute winner and Tommy Watson's finish in the final."

Lyle Taylor added: "Let's go with Sunderland. They are back at the top table after eight years away and did it in a really interesting and alternative way."

Click here to listen to the BBC's 72+ EFL podcast via BBC Sounds.

Marco Gabbiadini has joined the list of Sunderland pundits pushing for Jordan Henderson to return to his boyhood club following the Black Cats' promotion to the Premier League.

The former striker told BBC Radio Newcastle, "He must be doing okay because he's still in the England squad, isn't he? I haven't seen any film or anything, but he must be doing alright if they're watching him and he's got picked in the next England squad.

"It would be a sort of a fairy tale, wouldn't it? And it does happen sometimes," he added.

"He's been an outstanding player. He's gone on to be one of the best players in the country at times and win the top trophies, so I think he probably would be an asset. It probably goes a little bit against what the club is all about at the moment, but maybe they will make some exceptions for when we get in the top flight."

When asked about realistic options Sunderland could sign this summer, Gabbiadini struggled because of the unknown approach sporting director Kristjaan Speakman will take. Will they continue showing faith in youth, or will Kyril Louis-Dreyfus dig deep into his wealth to try to lure stars to the Stadium of Light?

He said: "I think we might be looking for players if we are going to spend - and this is the big question - someone like Mason Mount at Man United, who they've got such a turnover of players and huge numbers and they're looking to change that again this year.

"He's a player who's got massive potential, I think. Maybe he hasn't fully reached it. Those kinds of players would be great for us."

Sunderland have been the youngest side in the Championship this season and are likely to repeat that feat in the Premier League next season but Gabbiadini would push for some veterans to join the ranks.

"Obviously, Mepham's got some Premier League experience. You would think at the back we're not too bad, but I think an influential midfielder and somebody who's a goalscorer, whether that's a 10 or a striker. Obviously we've got Le Fee on a permanent deal now as well."

"I think the lad Delap is decent as well if he wanted to stay in the Premier League, but it looks like he's going to get a shot at one of the big clubs, isn't it?

"We see it with so many young English players. They go to a Chelsea and you don't see them for a couple of years.

"Mason Mount's probably had some injury problems as well, but it's a big group. When you come back from injury, you've got a lot of players in front of you. It does make a lot of sense to me to come to a club where you will start."

Listen to the full episode and more on BBC Sounds.

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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Arguably the most dramatic moment involving the Premier League at the weekend, happened in the Championship playoffs when Sunderland magically gained promotion in the 95th-minute of the final at Wembley.

Tom Watson's fabulous goal may be one of the most lucrative strikes in football history considering the money Sunderland will now bank. Tom could just as likely have seen the keeper read the shot a mere millisecond quicker and Michael Cooper would have tipped it round the post, but the keeper was short by a centimetre. Luck and skill together determining all in an instant.

Another Tom Watson, this time the golfer, holed a chip on the 17th at Pebble beach in the 1982 US Open and it was just as iconic. Had Tom's chip been a centimetre to the left or right and not hit the flag then dropped in, a two putt was almost certain. Jack Nicklaus would have caught him, he might not have become champion and history would have changed.

This is why great sport is irresistible. The skill, the luck and the tiny margins change life courses and produce memories and passions never to be forgotten.

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Sunderland defender Dennis Cirkin has expressed his joy at being part of the Black Cats' promotion to the Premier League.

Regis Le Bris' side beat Sheffield United 2-1 in the Championship play-off final thanks to Tommy Watson's 95th-minute winner.

After the trophy lift and celebrations, left-back Cirkin returned to the Wembley pitch to reflect on his success.

"I've been here before and it's special," he told BBC Radio Newcastle. "It's really, really special, to take it all in and think about the whole season.

"On a personal note, it's been a tough season off and on the pitch, highs and lows, but there's one job that we had in mind and one purpose and that was the Premier League. I'm just so, so glad I got to be part of it."

Cirkin suffered a wrist fracture in November and another injury then prevented him from taking up an England Under-21 call-up in March. He missed six of Sunderland's last eight games of the regular Championship season.

"Injuries are just a small part of it," he said. "There's a lot that's happened off the pitch. A lot of things I've learned from.

"With my wrist as well, I've been playing with a broken wrist which was not ideal, but I'm glad I could play a part in it because since I joined this club that's the one dream that I had and now it's on to the next and that's stay in there."

The former Tottenham man joined Sunderland in 2021 as a 19-year-old who Jose Mourinho described as a player with "a lot of quality."

Born in Ireland and raised in London, he's quickly learned how important Premier League football is in his new home on Wearside.

"It means so much more than anything else to put a smile on their faces, to get this city back to where it belongs," he added.

"I know how much it means, how much it unifies the people and it means a lot to me. When people come up to you, you can just tell in their voice and the way they come up to you, it means so much to them and you can see it. That's the greatest pleasure I can have.

"For my family, for my friends, for the city, to see everyone positive, happy, there's no feeling like it. Back to the Premier League is where this club belongs."

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Former Sunderland forward Marco Gabbiadini can understand why midfield sensation Jobe Bellingham would want to move to Germany this summer.

Bellingham has appeared to take a similar pathway to his brother Jude Bellingham and has been linked with a move to the Bundesliga.

"He's been very good for us this year, and I thought he was the player that kept it together in that big game at the weekend," Gabbiadini said to BBC Radio Tyne and Wear. "He was the one who when it was difficult in that first half, he came out of it glowing and was even better in the second half.

"Do I think he's as good as his brother? Not from what I've seen so far. But there is nothing wrong with that. If he's 80% as good as his brother, he will still be a very good footballer. So in some respects, let it be, let it progress as he wants.

"I can understand the Germany connection. I suppose the Bundesliga is somewhere between the Championship and the Premier League, isn't it? It's a way of stepping up, maybe a little bit of less pressure. There are some financial advantages of going abroad as well, the way moves can be made through the agents, etc.

"It was a bit of a surprise when he came to Sunderland. Not because we weren't a big enough club, but because he was such a hot talent. Birmingham were in a similar position to us in the league, it wasn't a massive step up at that stage."

Sunderland midfielder Jobe Bellingham is in Germany for transfer talks with Eintracht Frankfurt. Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig are also interested. (Sky Sports, external)

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We asked you earlier what you thought of your side's promotion-winning performance on Saturday and, unsurprisingly, it looks like you're feeling pretty pleased with your young squad.

Here is what you had to say:

Martin: Great day yesterday and hopefully the positive feeling will last. Next season may be hard. Careful recruitment will be needed to improve the squad but maintain the ethos.

John: If ever a club deserved to be in the Premier League, it is Sunderland! Phenomenal support base, great stadium and top notch training facilities. Real passion all over the club.

Jeff: Greatest night of my 50 years supporting SAFC.....cried my eyes out at the final whistle!!! Need a couple of proven Premier players to give it a real go next season!

Craig: This is what Sunderland do: we get written off and ridiculed but slowly, steadily, we keep fighting. The play-off semi and the final were both evidence of that: we should have lost both games but our players (and the fans) wouldn't have it. Hopefully we can do the same next season when we were told we're coming straight back down before we even went up. KTF.

Gary: Amazing to see the club finally back up in Premier League. The fans have been amazing and the support was clearly visible on Saturday. The stadium is ready, we just need the investment to enhance the team and keep them up.

Chris: What a great achievement, over the moon. Credit to Regis Le Bris for substitutions that changed the game . We kept going To The End. The whole squad and manager are now legends, Premier League here we come.

Tommy: Not sure we're ready but we'll give it a go.

Alan: Crazy season from such a talented bunch of young players. I knew they had the potential to do it but never in my wildest dreams did I think they would achieve it so soon. Le Bris has done wonders to bond this group together and get them pulling in the right direction. Watch out here we come Prem. Haway the lads.

AJT: Someone tell me there was a camera in the dressing room at half time...

Unbelievable turnaround from the (actual) lads. Working for each other, sticking to the plan, taking the opportunities when they came.

They'll have grown as footballers in those 90 minutes, but they're going to need some help next season. A lot of it.

James: I believed from the moment Brown scored that fluke goal against Leeds that anything was possible with this manager and group of players.

David: After an awful first half where we were definitely second best, the improvement following the substitutions made by Regis Le Bris brought an immediate impact. We simply got stuck in and had a greater sense of urgency. The spirit of everyone, fans and players alike never diminished and when young Tommy Watson beautifully curled in the winner, the crowd erupted and we knew we were home. At last, I'd been at Wembley and seen my side, whom I've supported for 63 years, win! Our fans were fantastic! It was a privilege to be there and I must confess I had a tear or two in my eyes. It's been a painful eight years, but we're back.

Sunderland striker Eliezer Mayenda hopes he made his family proud in helping the Black Cats win promotion to the Premier League.

The 20-year-old scored a 76th minute equaliser in the Championship play-off final 2-1 victory against Sheffield United. He told BBC Radio Newcastle, "It was a really good time to score especially in that moment of the game.

"After the first half, in the second half we were more confident with the ball. This goal was like a recompense about how we played in the second half, so yeah it was good."

He added: "After the goal we said on the pitch, 'lads we have to keep pushing again, we can win the game.' After that we did it. Tommy was incredible. He was incredible in the second half. Tommy scored the second goal and everybody was really happy about that."

Substitute Tommy Watson's winner was a poetic moment as he's set to leave Regis Le Bris' side this summer to join Brighton. The deal was announced before the season finished and some Sunderland supporters called for the academy product to not play another minute for the club.

On the other hand, Mayenda has become a fan favourite. Chants of "Oi big man, what's your name?" were heard loud and proud around Trafalgar Square and Wembley this weekend.

The Spaniard says he's happy to have repaid supporters: "Good. I'm very happy. It's good for the team, for the club, for everybody, for the fans. Yeah, I'm happy, very happy."

"Very happy not just for me but for the fans again as well so I'm just very happy to get promotion."

"We stayed confident during all the game. I think we did well today especially with the mentality. Team spirit was good today. I think the fans deserve it."

Mayenda's family were in the stands at Wembley to see him become the third youngest goalscorer ever in a second division play-off final.

He said: "Hopefully my whole family are proud."

We're sure they are big man.

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The job's done.

Sunderland will be back in the Premier League next season after youngster Tommy Watson scored an added-time winner to beat rivals Sheffield United.

How does it feel, Black Cats fans? Did you believe in Regis Le Bris and his men all along or have they exceeded your wildest dreams?

Let us know here what you thought of your team's promotion-winning performance on Saturday.

Former Sunderland striker Michael Bridges believes that Sunderland's play-off final against Sheffield United on Saturday (15:01 BST) will be decided by which team can cope with the pressure of Wembley.

Although the 46-year-old thinks that boss Regis Le Bris will play a large part in how his young squad react to the final.

"It's about who is going to get down there and handle the occasion," Bridges told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"As soon as that whistle blows and the white line fever kicks in, all the noise switches off. You go back into your world.

"I think from Regis Le Bris and what we've seen from the lads this season, everything that has been thrown at them, they have handled.

"Le Bris might be a quiet man but I think the lads have been nurtured in the right way and that's why I think they are geared up to do something very special."

However, Sunderland have the youngest starting XI across the entire Championship and Bridges admits that inexperience played a part in his own play-off journey.

During the 1997-98 season, Bridges reached the First Division play-off finals with the Black Cats; however then boss Peter Reid chose not to include him on the substitutes' bench.

"I was really nervous when I got to Wembley for the first time and I was a youngster as well," Bridges added.

"As much as I loved entertaining, I think the pressure got to me and Peter Reid recognised that and I had to sit that one out."

Listen to the full interview and more on the Total Sport podcast.

Former Sunderland midfielder Julio Arca says "it's time for the club to be back in the Premier League" as they prepare for the Championship play-off final against Sheffield United.

The Black Cats play the Blades at Wembley on Saturday and Arca told BBC Radio Newcastle: "When the game arrives tomorrow, I think the players will feel that atmosphere.

"That is going to be fantastic to see so many Sunderland fans there in the stadium supporting the team. There's thousands going today. Thousands going tomorrow."

He added: "Hopefully it's a good day for the football club. It's been a while now so I think it's time for the club to get back to the Premier League and play against some of the biggest teams in the world."

The Argentine spent six years at the Stadium of Light and helped guide the club back to England's top flight in 2005.

He said: "I was lucky enough to win the Championship with Sunderland under Mick McCarthy and that was a fantastic season. That's when you realise how much it means for the people in Sunderland when you achieve a title. [Promotion] could mean a lot for the Sunderland fans."

Arca is confident Regis Le Bris' side can get back to where many fans and pundits say they belong.

"I believe they can do it," he said.

"Yes, probably the last seven or eight games the team didn't play as well as the fans wanted to see but at the end of the day you have to get through every game. Yes, sometimes they've been lucky but you need that on your side as well.

"I'm sure the team's got enough. There's some talented players there that can change games and I keep my fingers crossed that hopefully they do it and they're back in the Premier League."

You can listen to more from Julio Arca on BBC Sounds.