Every season, the bottom three clubs in the Premier League table drop into the Championship, the second tier of English football. At the same time, the top three Championship clubs move up into the Premier League.
A small group of clubs has avoided relegation since the Premier League began in 1992. Football fans call them the league’s “ever-present” clubs because they have played in every Premier League season. They have stayed in England’s top division for more than 30 years despite facing tough competition every season.
As of the end of the 2025–26 Premier League season, only six clubs have kept that record. Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have never suffered relegation from the Premier League. Every other club has dropped out of the competition at least once during the Premier League era.
In this article, you’ll discover the history of each of these six clubs, see how they have stayed in the Premier League since 1992, look at the seasons when they came closest to relegation, and learn why they have remained in England’s top flight for so many years.
Understanding Relegation
Relegation in English football means a team finishes near the bottom of the Premier League and moves down to the EFL Championship. The Premier League started in 1992 and has 20 teams every season. Each team plays 38 matches.
Teams get three points for a win, one point for a draw and zero for a loss. At the end of the season, the teams that finish 18th, 19th and 20th go down to the Championship. Three teams from the Championship then move up to the Premier League.
This system keeps the league competitive. Teams must perform well across the whole season. A few bad results can cause problems. Relegation also causes big money losses. Clubs lose TV money, sponsorship income and other earnings, as explained in the breakdown of Premier League prize money. Many clubs must sell players and reduce spending after going down.
Staying in the Premier League for many years is very hard. It needs strong planning, good money management and good players every season.
Which Premier League Team Has Never Been Relegated? The Complete List
Since 1992, only six clubs have stayed in the Premier League without going down to the Championship. These clubs are:
Arsenal
Chelsea
Everton
Liverpool
Manchester United
Tottenham Hotspur
These six clubs have played in every Premier League season since its inception. However, all six clubs dropped out of the top flight before 1992, when the competition operated as the First Division.
Arsenal
Arsenal have played in every Premier League season since 1992 and have remained in the top division since 1913.
The Gunners are one of the biggest clubs in England. They have won 13 league titles, 14 FA Cups, two League Cups and many Community Shields.
Arsenal F.C. delivered its greatest campaign in the 2003–04 season. The club went unbeaten throughout the Premier League and secured the title without a single defeat. The squad earned the nickname “The Invincibles” after completing that historic achievement. The Premier League trophy itself has evolved in design and symbolism since 1992.
Arsenal have often finished near the top of the table. They also played in the Champions League for 19 seasons in a row from 1998 to 2017. Today, they still fight for top positions.
Chelsea
Chelsea have also been in every Premier League season since 1992. The club became very strong in the early 2000s.
Chelsea have won six league titles, eight FA Cups, five League Cups, two Champions League titles and two Europa League titles.
They were very strong between 2005 and 2017, winning many trophies. Even though they change managers often, they still stay in the top league and compete for European places.
Everton
Everton are one of the oldest clubs in England. They have also played in every Premier League season since 1992.
They have won nine league titles, five FA Cups and one European trophy.
Everton have had some hard seasons recently and have fought to avoid relegation. Between 2021 and 2025, they stayed up but struggled. In 2025–26, they improved and finished safely above the bottom three.
They also moved to a new stadium, which helped the club become more stable.
Liverpool
Liverpool have played in every Premier League season since it began.
They are one of the most successful clubs in the world. They have won 20 league titles, eight FA Cups, 10 League Cups and six Champions League titles.
Liverpool ended a long wait for the league title in 2020. They won again in 2025.
The club has had some difficult periods, but they have never come close to relegation in the Premier League era.
Manchester United
Manchester United were very strong in the early Premier League years. Sir Alex Ferguson led them to 13 league titles.
They have also won five FA Cups, four League Cups and two Champions League titles.
Since Ferguson retired in 2013, the club has not been as strong. They have had many managers and mixed results. Even so, they have stayed in the Premier League every season.
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur have competed in every Premier League season since 1992 and have stayed in the top flight without relegation since 1978.
They reached the Champions League final in 2019, which was a big moment for the club.
Tottenham have had ups and downs in league position, but they have stayed in the top division every year.
Why These Clubs Have Never Been Relegated
These six clubs stay in the Premier League for several simple reasons.
Money is very important. Big clubs earn a lot from TV deals, tickets, shirts and sponsors. This helps them buy better players and keep strong squads.
Good player signings also matter. These clubs try to sign the right players, not just expensive ones.
Good managers help as well. Strong leaders like Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsène Wenger and Jürgen Klopp helped their clubs stay stable and successful.
Youth academies also help. Clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United produce young players who join the first team.
These clubs also recover quickly after bad seasons. They change managers, sign new players and improve their squads when needed.
Have These Clubs Been Relegated Before 1992?
Yes. All six clubs dropped out of the top flight before the Premier League began in 1992.
Arsenal suffered relegation in 1913 and returned in 1919.
Chelsea suffered relegation in 1988 and returned in 1989–90.
Everton suffered relegation in 1951 and returned in 1953–54.
Liverpool suffered relegation in 1953–54 and returned in 1962.
Manchester United suffered relegation in 1973–74 and returned in 1974–75.
Tottenham Hotspur suffered relegation in 1976–77 and returned in 1977–78.
Which Premier League Team Has Never Been Relegated? Key Facts and Statistics
Only six clubs have stayed in every Premier League season since 1992: Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
No club in England has ever remained entirely free from relegation across its full history. Every club that has existed long enough in the English league has experienced relegation at some point before or after the Premier League era.
Arsenal have the longest stay in the top division, since 1919.
Manchester United and Liverpool have both won 20 league titles in total.
These six clubs remain the most stable teams in English football.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Premier League team has never been relegated?
Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur.
How many Premier League teams have never been relegated?
Six.
Has Everton ever been relegated from the Premier League?
No.
Has Arsenal ever been relegated?
No (last relegation 1913).
Has Manchester United ever been relegated?
No (last relegation 1974).
Has Liverpool ever been relegated?
No (last relegation 1954).
Has Chelsea ever been relegated?
No (last relegation 1988).
Has Tottenham Hotspur ever been relegated?
No (last relegation 1977).
Which club has played every Premier League season?
Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham.
Which club has spent the longest in the Premier League?
All six ever-present clubs share this.
Which team has been relegated the most from the Premier League?
Norwich City (6 times).
Has Manchester City ever been relegated?
Yes (twice: 1996, 2001).
What is an ever-present Premier League club?
A club that has played every Premier League season since 1992 without relegation.
Conclusion
As of 2026, six clubs—Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur—have played in every Premier League season since 1992.
This is a big achievement because it shows they have stayed strong for a long time in a very hard league. Many famous clubs have gone down to lower divisions, but these six have stayed at the top.
This record applies only to the Premier League era, which began in 1992. Before that period, each of these clubs experienced at least one relegation in the history of English football.