Ipswich won 3-0 against QPR and were promoted to the Premier League.
A draw would have been enough if Millwall couldn’t beat Oxford and Middlesbrough couldn’t beat Wrexham by more than five points. Even if Millwall and Middlesbrough didn’t win, they would have progressed.
However, goals from George Hurst, Jayden Philozine and Casey McAteer were credited at Portman Road.
The Tractor Boys returned to the Championship after just one season after being relegated in the 2025/26 season, joining champions Coventry.
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George Hurst scores the opening goal for Ipswich.
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Jayden Philogene leads Ipswich to 2-0 win over QPR as they move closer to automatic promotion
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Casey McAteer scores to secure Ipswich promotion to the Premier League
The home side got off to a great start with a flurry of shots at the QPR goal, backed by a cheering crowd.
Ipswich had a great chance to take the lead in the second minute when Leif Davies cleared Jack Taylor through, but QPR goalkeeper Joe Walsh came on and deflected the shot for a corner.
Town took the lead a minute later with a goal from Hurst.
It came after Azor Matusiwa, Taylor, Philogene and Davies crossed and stabbed home inside the striker’s six-yard area.
Philogene jumped on in the 9th minute to extend the lead.
Wes Barnes, Marcelino Nunez and Hurst built up and tricked Rangers full-back Amadou Mbengue into playing a final pass to the winger, who slotted the ball into the net.
The Londoners got out of their own half for the first time in the 12th minute, when Nicholas Madsen’s meek shot from distance was easily saved by Town goalkeeper Christian Walton.
Ilias Chea danced around a series of attacks and was fouled just outside the penalty area, but his free-kick went over the crossbar and at the other end Walsh made a fine save from Philozin’s volley.
Walton made another stop to deny Japan international Koki Saito, Mbenge fouled Jack Clarke 25 yards from goal, and Davies’ free-kick was headed home by Dara O’Shea, who narrowly missed the left post.
Walton dived to deflect Paul Smith’s shot and once again denied the visitors, but Town let McAteer score a decisive third goal in the 85th minute, sending the stadium into a commotion.
Substitutes Ivan Azon and Anis Mehmeti tried for the ball on the edge of the penalty area, the ball fell to Taylor, whose shot hit Walsh, but McAteer fired home the rebound to start the promotion party.
McKenna: Thank you very much…we’re going to enjoy this.
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna told Sky Sports:
“It means a lot. To be honest, it was probably the hardest part. I’m really grateful.
“We know how much effort we had to put in to turn things around. The club experienced a very big rise and then a sharp decline, with a huge turnover of players. The legends of the club left this club, so we had to work to rebuild this team.”
“We deserve to be where we are today because everyone stuck with it.
“It’s great to be able to win promotion for the third time in four years at home on a sunny May day.
“We have steadily improved over the past year.
“I’m not thinking about the Premier League today. I’m going to enjoy this league.”
