Premier League finale: Arsenal lift trophy as Europe and survival are decided

The English Premier League season concludes on Sunday, 26 May 2026, with all 10 fixtures kicking off simultaneously to settle European qualification and the final relegation place. Arsenal will lift the trophy after their match at Crystal Palace, sealing a first league title in 22 years after Manchester City failed to win at Bournemouth earlier in the week.

With the champions confirmed, attention turns to who joins them in next season’s continental competitions and which London club avoids the drop.

Liverpool are in pole position to secure fifth and need only a point at home to Brentford to clinch it. Bournemouth, who drew 1-1 with Manchester City on Tuesday to guarantee some form of European football, sit three points back in sixth and travel to Nottingham Forest on a 17-match unbeaten run. The Cherries’ surge has been one of the stories of the campaign and keeps them in range should Liverpool falter.

Aston Villa’s Europa League triumph has opened a pathway for a sixth English entrant into next season’s Champions League, but only if Villa finish fifth in the league table. That scenario would require Liverpool to win — thereby locking down fifth — and Villa to lose at Manchester City, where the occasion is expected to carry extra emotion around Pep Guardiola’s future. The precise allocation will be settled by full time across the grounds.

At the bottom, the relegation fight is narrowed to Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United. Spurs sit 17th on 38 points, two clear of West Ham in 18th. Only one combination sends Tottenham down: a home defeat to Everton coupled with a West Ham victory over Leeds United. West Ham’s inferior goal difference means they remain dependent on help from north London even if they claim three points at the London Stadium.

Tottenham’s focus has been on staying disciplined and resilient through the final whistle, with club figures stressing pride and composure in a high‑stakes finale. West Ham, meanwhile, must balance urgency with control as they chase the win they need while hoping events swing their way elsewhere. The margins are thin, and a single goal in either match could reshape next season’s landscape.

Title sealed, trophy lift at Selhurst Park

Arsenal’s title was confirmed when City dropped points at Bournemouth, setting up a celebratory afternoon at Selhurst Park. The Gunners’ long wait for a league crown ends with a ceremonial lift that caps a campaign defined by consistency, depth and strong away form.

European places hinge on Liverpool, Bournemouth and Villa

Liverpool’s task is straightforward against Brentford: avoid defeat to secure fifth. Bournemouth’s visit to Forest provides late drama given their unbeaten streak and guaranteed European return, while Villa’s continental triumph creates a conditional route to expand England’s Champions League contingent to six.

Relegation verdict between Spurs and West Ham

Spurs control their fate but cannot afford a slip against Everton, while West Ham must beat Leeds and hope. Goal difference looms as a decisive tiebreaker, underscoring how fine the margins are on the last day.

All matches start simultaneously on Sunday; by evening, the permutations will be resolved and the Premier League’s European qualifiers and final relegated side confirmed.