AI predicts every EFL Championship title winner until 2050 | OneFootball

Predicting the winner of one of the world's toughest and most unpredictable leagues is no easy feat...

The Championship remains one of the most fiercely competitive leagues in world football, with clubs knowing there is a massive pot of cash awaiting them at the finishing line.

Becoming a Premier League club is incredibly lucrative, even for just one season, but there is an advantage to be had for clubs who have already tasted top flight glory thanks to parachute payments being what they are.

Since the Championship was reformed in 2004 from the EFL First Division, there have been 14 different title winners from 22 seasons, with Coventry City the latest club to add themselves to the list. But what names are set to be on the Championship trophy for the foreseeable future, and specifically the next 24 years?

AI has taken a swing at predicting exactly that...

2026-27 — Southampton

If it were not for their Spygate charges, Southampton could already be in the Premier League by now, and their expulsion from the play-offs by an independent commission is going to sting for a long time.

There could be significant changes at St Mary's Stadium due to what has happened under head coach Tonda Eckert, but AI think that due to the Saints' 'academy depth and financial advantages' through parachute payments, a title charge could be coming next year to put Spygate to bed for good.

2027-28 — Middlesbrough

Having been handed a second chance of the play-offs thanks to Southampton's misdemeanours, Middlesbrough could not get the job done in the final against Hull City, consigning them to another year of Championship football.

Boro have been in the second tier since 2017 when relegated from the Premier League, and whilst AI doesn't think Kim Hellberg will be able to take them back there in 2026-27, the Teessiders are being tipped to win the title a year later due to their 'steady long-term planning' under owner Steve Gibson.

2028-29 — Leicester City

One of the shocks of the 2025-26 EFL season was Leicester City's back-to-back relegations into League One - and it remains to be seen how long they're going to take to get out of their current slump.

It won't be that long though according to AI, as in three seasons time, the Foxes are being touted to be winning the Championship once more, citing their 'infrastructure' as a reason - even if that very thing wasn't exactly solid during a traumatic most recent campaign.

2029-30 — Norwich City

After such a slow start to 2025-26 under Liam Manning, which led to his sacking at Carrow Road, Norwich City were one of the Championship's most impressive teams, and only just fell short of the play-offs by a handful of points.

Philippe Clement clearly has a good tune out of the Canaries, and with AI describing the Norfolk side as being able to 'consistently rebuild strong Championship teams capable of winning the league', they may be in prime position in a few years to win another second tier title - they may even reach the Premier League before that.

2030-31 — Sunderland

You need to spend a lot of money now to even survive in your first Premier League year, but Sunderland pushed the boat out and were rewarded with a spot in the UEFA Europa League for next season.

However, with AI tipping them to win the Championship title in five years time, it means they are also being touted to be relegated at some point in the next few years - which can sometimes happen after a quick rise.

2031-32 — Sheffield United

2025-26 did not go the way that anyone planned at Sheffield United, with an incredibly slow start under Ruben Selles, which saw him sacked and replaced by the popular Chris Wilder - months after his own Bramall Lane exit.

It remains to be seen as to how long it'll take the Blades to return to the Premier League, but in six years time, AI think they'll add to their honours with a Championship trophy.

2032-33 — Coventry City

For the first time in 25 years, Coventry City will attack the Premier League under Frank Lampard, but they may have to do a bit of work to their squad to retain their top flight spot in a years time.

Whether Lampard will still be there in six or seven years remains to be seen, but AI believes that the Sky Blues will add to their recent title success with another one in 2033.

2033-34 — Ipswich Town

Ipswich Town have secured two Championship promotions in the last three years, yet neither of those have come in the form of league-winning campaigns - the Tractor Boys had to settle for runners-up spots in 2024 and 2026.

The Suffolk outfit will be financially well-off from their galivanting in the top flight, and AI says that their 'ambitious ownership' - should Gamechanger 20 Ltd still be around eight years down the line - will help them to another bit of silverware in 2033-34, but they'll go one better than being runners-up.

2034-35 — West Bromwich Albion

In the early 2000's, West Brom were the archetypical 'yo-yo' team between the Premier League and the second tier, but that has dried up in recent times, and the Midlands outfit had to fend off a relegation battle in 2025-26.

Whether James Morrison as head coach can push them into a promotion challenge remains to be seen, but AI has them winning the Championship nine years from now due to their 'history of second-tier consistency'.

2035-36 — Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn Rovers are part of the exclusive club that can call themselves Premier League champions, but the top flight has not seen them since 2012.

The Venky's era has not been littered with success, and 10 years down the line the Indian poultry giants may be gone, but in 2036, Blackburn will win their first second tier title since 1939 if AI has its way, tipping them to 'combine youth development and financial stability at the perfect moment'.