Sunderland took a European berth and Leeds stayed up comfortably with Chelsea and West Ham the two sides to pay the price.
But can two from three ruffle feathers in the coming campaign as Coventry, Ipswich and Hull head to the Prem?
Former Albion skipper Adam Virgo, who regularly covered the Championship for Sky Sports last season, sees Ipswich as the best-equipped to stay up, despite a change of boss which saw Gary O'Neil succeed Kieran McKenna.
He gives their recent Prem experience as a reason for fancying them ahead of impressive champions Coventry, while praising the work Frank Lampard has done in the Midlands.
But he reckons Hull face a huge challenge and that the promoted trio would be stronger had Southampton played by the rules and come up.
Ipswich Town's Dara O'Shea celebrates with the trophy on the pitch after Ipswich Town secured promotion following the Sky Bet Championship match at Portman Road, Ipswich. Picture date: Saturday May 2, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Nigel French/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos orIpswich Town's Dara O'Shea celebrates promotion (Image: Nigel French/PA Wire)
Virgo told The Argus: “I think, for Ipswich, the lessons will have to be learned in terms of when they went into the Premier League last time. Who they signed, how they played.
“Liam Delap was a massive player for them and Nathan Broadhead has left them as well.
“They will need that kind of injection of quality to go to the Premier League.
“The one thing I worry about for them is goals in the centre-forward area.
“George Hirst got into double figures last season but they might need to go and find somebody that can be a Premier League striker but also covers their backs if there's a relegation.
“Squad-wise, they are the best equipped for me going up to the Premier League.
“Dara O'Shea was there in the Premier League.
“Jacob Greaves was there in the Premier League, Christian Walton was there in the Premier League.
“But Delap was a massive part in terms of them having a chance with the goals that he scored.”
Ipswich finished 11 points behind Coventry last season and scored 17 goals fewer but Virgo believes they could have won the title.
He added: “They drew a lot of games (15). I think, when they look back on that, they should have controlled games better when they were on top and they didn't take advantage of that.
"I think when you look in those forward areas, Coventry are much more equipped in front of goal.
“But Gary O'Neil seems very positive. I think they kind of came to the end of the time with Kieran McKenna.
“I just felt that was maybe another reason why they kind of fell away a little bit, because I felt they had enough quality to get over the line.
“It just felt like that kind of relationship was coming to the end but there was enough quality in the squad to see them over the line.”
Virgo enjoyed watching Coventry but believes it is important they keep attacking midfielder Jack Rudoni.
He said: “I tipped Coventry for the league last season.
“I thought they would win it because what Frank has done is just bought stability, identity and a style that the players have bought into.
“I think they will be a great watch going forward next season.
Coventry City's captain Matt Grimes and his team mates lift the Sky Bet Championship trophy during the trophy presentation following the Sky Bet Championship match at the Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry. Picture date: Sunday April 26, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Jacob King/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos orCoventry City's captain Matt Grimes and his team mates lift the Sky Bet Championship trophy (Image: Jacob King/PA Wire)
“I played a small period there in my career. I know they are a big club.
“I think, with the likes of Hadji Wright and Brandon Thomas-Asante, it will be really interesting to see how they do at that level. Mason Clark is another one.
“If those players can click, they could surprise a few people. My only concern with Coventry is at the back.”
The Sky Blues want to bring back goalkeeper Carl Rushworth from Albion and Virgo would like to see that as a loan.
But Rudoni is their star man and Virgo said: “They can't afford to lose him.
“I think he will be one of those players who, if Coventry got relegated next season, would stay in the Premier League. He's that good.
“He has improved massively under Frank. He makes late runs into the box, scores goals from deep.
“Of those teams who got promoted, he stands out as far and away the best outfield player.”
Hull emerged from a play-off competition which was dominated by the Spygate chaos involving Southampton.
Virgo said: “I can't believe Hull got promoted.
“From where they were two seasons ago to where they are today. you just can't believe that they are there.
“Honestly, I did some games with them last season and they weren't a great watch.
Hull City's Oliver McBurnie celebrates with the trophy after winning promotion to the Premier League following the Sky Bet Championship play-off final against Middlesbrough at Wembley Stadium, London. Picture date: Saturday May 23, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Adam Davy/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos orHull City's Oli McBurnie celebrates with the trophy after winning the play-off final against Middlesbroug (Image: Adam Davy/PA Wire)
“But the Championship is a prime example that if you can gain that little bit of momentum, not necessarily have the best team but kind of have something, then anything can happen.
“And we've seen that over the years with Luton, Huddersfield, Blackpool.
“I would have been having the same conversation with you if Middlesbrough had gone up.
“I'd have been having the same conversation with you if Millwall had gone up.
“I'd be having a different conversation with you if Southampton had gone up because they were by far the best team in the Championship.
“Hull are the ones that I worry about the most but the manager Sergei Jakirovic has done a great job.”