Hull City 2026/27
The Tigers are back in the Premier League after nine years away, and their return has begun with a statement. Follow Sergej Jakirović's side through results, fixtures, squad developments, tactical analysis and Open Chronicle coverage throughout the 2026/27 campaign.
A Dream Premier League Return
Hull City marked their first Premier League match in nine years with a memorable 2–0 victory over Manchester United at the MKM Stadium.
Hull City 2–0 Manchester United
Semi Ajayi opened the scoring in the 17th minute before Nobel Mendy doubled Hull's advantage in the 38th. The Tigers protected their lead after the interval, with Konstantinos Tzolakis completing a clean sheet as Hull banked their first three points of the season.
From Wembley to the Top Flight
Hull earned promotion through the 2025/26 Championship play-offs, completing an extraordinary recovery after surviving relegation only on goal difference the previous season.
Hull secured the final Championship play-off position in Sergej Jakirović's first season in charge.
Oli McBurnie's stoppage-time winner in the play-off final sent the Tigers back to the Premier League.
The 2026/27 campaign is Hull City's first Premier League season since 2016/17.
The promoted Tigers immediately demonstrated that their return would be about more than simply making up the numbers.
Hull City's Opening Premier League Fixtures
After defeating Manchester United, Hull travel to fellow promoted side Coventry City before hosting Aston Villa and visiting Chelsea.
Sergej Jakirović and Hull City's Transformation
Sergej Jakirović
Appointed in June 2025, the Bosnian coach delivered promotion to the Premier League in his first season at the MKM Stadium.
Promotion in His First Season
Jakirović arrived in England after managerial spells across Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia and Turkey. His previous successes included a Bosnian league title with Zrinjski Mostar and a league and cup double with Dinamo Zagreb.
Hull finished sixth in the Championship before winning the play-offs. The opening victory over Manchester United provides an immediate Premier League reward for the compact, competitive identity developed under Jakirović.
Manager ProfileThe Tigers' Key Figures
Promotion heroes and opening-day standouts form the early reference points for Hull's Premier League campaign.
Semi Ajayi
Scored Hull City's first Premier League goal of the new era, reacting quickest after a set-piece situation against Manchester United.
Nobel Mendy
Powered home Hull's second goal against United and immediately delivered a defining moment on his Premier League debut.
Konstantinos Tzolakis
Opened the campaign with a clean sheet against Manchester United and produced the saves required when Hull came under pressure.
Oli McBurnie
Scored 17 times in the 2025/26 Championship regular season before his dramatic Wembley winner secured promotion.
Lewie Coyle
A leadership reference for the Tigers as the club adapts to Premier League intensity after its nine-year absence.
Set-Piece Threat
Both opening-day goals came from dead-ball situations, immediately establishing one potential weapon in Hull's survival campaign.
What Hull's Opening Win Told Us
The first match offered an early picture of how the Tigers may approach the challenge of remaining in the Premier League.
Hull accepted long periods without possession against Manchester United while protecting the most dangerous central spaces.
Ajayi and Mendy both scored from situations created by set pieces, an area that could become crucial against technically stronger opponents.
The Tigers treated their first Premier League match in nine years as an opportunity rather than a ceremonial return to the division.
Latest Hull City Stories
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Follow Hull City's Premier League Return
The Tigers are back, and they already have their first major result. Follow every match, squad development and tactical storyline throughout the 2026/27 campaign.