Leicester City were relegated to the third tier of English football after a 2-2 draw with Hull City, sealing a sharp decline less than a decade after their Premier League title triumph.
Needing a win at the King Power Stadium to keep their survival hopes alive, Leicester fell short as Oli McBurnie scored a decisive second half equaliser for Hull.
The visitors had taken the lead through Liam Millar in the 18th minute before Leicester responded after the break. James Justin levelled from the penalty spot early in the second half, and Luke Thomas briefly lifted hopes with a quick follow up goal.
However, McBurnie’s strike in the 63rd minute ended any chance of a late escape. The result leaves Leicester second from bottom, seven points from safety with only two matches remaining.
It marks only the second time the club have dropped to the third tier and their first appearance at that level since the 2008-09 season.
The relegation completes a steep fall for Leicester, who won the Premier League in 2016 against the odds under Claudio Ranieri and later lifted the FA Cup in 2021. Key figures from that era, including Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez and N’Golo Kanté, have long since departed.
Leicester’s slide has been compounded by instability on and off the pitch. The club have now suffered three relegations in four seasons, having dropped out of the Premier League in 2023 and again in 2025.
Managerial changes have failed to halt the decline. Martí Cifuentes was unable to mount a promotion challenge before his dismissal, while interim coach Andy King struggled to steady results. Current boss Gary Rowett has managed just one win in 12 matches since taking over in February.
Off the field, financial issues have added to the club’s problems. A six point deduction for breaching spending rules this season further damaged their survival bid, while a high wage bill and underperforming signings have strained resources.
Ownership has also faced scrutiny, with Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha under pressure after succeeding his late father Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, who died in 2018.
Leicester will now prepare for life in League One, a stark contrast to their recent history, with fixtures against lower league opposition awaiting as they attempt to rebuild from one of the most dramatic declines in English football.
