It was one of the best sports stories of all time. Leicester City, 5,000-to-1 to win the English Premier League, became champion a decade ago.
Fans in the East Midlands will always have the 2015-16 championship season, but it feels like ancient history now. The Foxes will play in League One next season, the third tier of English soccer, with a 2-2 draw with Hull City on Tuesday confirming their relegation.
It is the second relegation in a row after Leicester was sent down from the Premier League in 2024-25 with an 18th-place finish. Leicester also tumbled from the Premier League in 2022-23 before quickly returning.
While past teams like Leeds and Derby County also have gone from the top division to the third, Leicester's descent is by far the fastest in the Premier League era. The league has parachute payments meant to lessen the financial blow of falling a division, meaning smaller revenues from broadcasting rights, sponsorship and, typically, ticket sales.
And hopes were high for Leicester going into the year. The Foxes poached Spanish manager Marti Cifuentes from Queens Park Rangers in the same division and have one of the league's highest payrolls.
Many players, like forward Patson Daka and attacking midfielder Bobby Reid, are veterans of the Premier League. Defender Luke Thomas and midfielder Hamza Choudhury are among players who helped Leicester win the FA Cup in 2021 and remain on the roster.
By the time the team bid farewell to Cifuentes in January, it may have been too late to reverse the skid. New manager Gary Rowett has posted a 1W-7D-3L record in his 11 games at the helm.
Leicester also wasn't helped by a six-point penalty levied this year for breaching the English Football League's regulations for profit and sustainability in a period that ended in 2024.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Leeds United misses a headed chance while under pressure from Leny Yoro of Manchester United at Old Trafford on April 13, 2026 in Manchester, England. Leeds United won the match, 2-1.Djordje Petrovic of AFC Bournemouth attempts to make a save while under pressure from Gabriel and William Saliba of Arsenal during the Premier League match at Emirates Stadium on April 11, 2026 in London, England. Bournemouth won the match, 2-1.Konstantinos Mavropanos of West Ham United celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal in a 4-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at London Stadium on April 10, 2026 in London, England.Nottingham Forest's Taiwo Awoniyi (9) scores his club's third goal in a 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on March 22, 2026.Brighton's Danny Welbeck celebrates scoring his team's opener against Liverpool on March 21, 2026.
Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool reacts during the Premier League match against Brighton on March 21, 2026.
Harry Maguire of Manchester United celebrates his side's second goal against AFC Bournemouth on March 21, 2026.
James Milner celebrates Brighton's win against Brentford on Feb. 21, 2026.
West Ham United's Valentin Castellanos shoots against Chelsea on Jan. 31, 2026. Chelsea won the match, 3-2.
Manchester United's Patrick Dorgu celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goal in a 2-0 win over Manchester City at Old Trafford on Jan. 17.
Manchester City's Rayan Cherki celebrates after scoring his team's second goal against Nottingham Forest on Dec. 27.
Manchester United's Patrick Dorgu celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Newcastle on Dec. 26.
Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch celebrates scoring his team's second goal in a 2-0 win over Aston Villa at Anfield on Nov. 1. The victory ended a four-game losing streak in Premier League games for the defending champions.
Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri (right) and Burnley's Florentino Luis battle for possession of the ball at Turf Moor. Arsenal won the Nov. 1 match, 2-0, to stay six points above Manchester City atop the Premier League table.
Erling Haaland of Manchester City competes for a header whilst under pressure from Sepp van den Berg and Kristoffer Ajer of Brentford at Gtech Community Stadium on Oct. 5, 2025. Man City won the match, 1-0.
1 / 72Best Premier League action, scenes and drama from 2025-26 seasonDominic Calvert-Lewin of Leeds United misses a headed chance while under pressure from Leny Yoro of Manchester United at Old Trafford on April 13, 2026 in Manchester, England. Leeds United won the match, 2-1.1 / 72Best Premier League action, scenes and drama from 2025-26 seasonDominic Calvert-Lewin of Leeds United misses a headed chance while under pressure from Leny Yoro of Manchester United at Old Trafford on April 13, 2026 in Manchester, England. Leeds United won the match, 2-1.2 / 72Best Premier League action, scenes and drama from 2025-26 seasonDjordje Petrovic of AFC Bournemouth attempts to make a save while under pressure from Gabriel and William Saliba of Arsenal during the Premier League match at Emirates Stadium on April 11, 2026 in London, England. Bournemouth won the match, 2-1.3 / 72Best Premier League action, scenes and drama from 2025-26 seasonKonstantinos Mavropanos of West Ham United celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal in a 4-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at London Stadium on April 10, 2026 in London, England.4 / 72Best Premier League action, scenes and drama from 2025-26 seasonNottingham Forest's Taiwo Awoniyi (9) scores his club's third goal in a 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on March 22, 2026.5 / 72Best Premier League action, scenes and drama from 2025-26 seasonBrighton's Danny Welbeck celebrates scoring his team's opener against Liverpool on March 21, 2026.