How Sunderland's newest Premier League rivals are shaping up ahead of the 2026/27 season | OneFootball

Sunderland will open the Premier League season away at Ipswich Town as Coventry City, Ipswich and Hull City join them in the top flight. According to Sunderland Echo, the Black Cats learned their opening-day opponents on Thursday.

Ipswich returned as Championship runners-up, Hull came up via the play-offs and Coventry won the title under Frank Lampard, ending a 25-year wait.

Coventry are yet to add to their promotion-winning squad this summer. Goalkeeper Brad Collins and midfielder Jamie Allen have left at the end of their contracts, and a loan winger from Tottenham Hotspur has gone back to his parent club.

Ipswich face a surprise change after two-time promotion winner Kieran McKenna ended his four-year reign. A successor has not been announced, with Gary O’Neil said to be close to taking over. They have confirmed permanent deals for Chuba Akpom from Ajax and Cedric Kipre from Reims, while goalkeeper Arijanet Muric has joined Sassuolo.

Hull sealed promotion by beating Middlesbrough in the play-off final. Loans for Joe Gelhart, Toby Collyer, Amir Hadziahemotvic, Lewis Koumas, John Lundstrom and Yu Hirakawa have ended. Despite links with additions, they are yet to make a signing, with pre-season due next month.

Source: Sunderland Echo