Hull City's Scottish striker #09 Oli McBurnie (2R) celebrates scoring the team's first goal during the English Championship play-off final football match between Hull City and Middlesbrough at Wembley Stadium in London on May 23, 2026. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP)
Hull City were promoted to the Premier League in dramatic fashion as Oli McBurnie’s last-gasp strike sealed a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough in Saturday’s Championship play-off final, bringing an end to the ‘spygate’ controversy that overshadowed world football’s richest match.
McBurnie punished a mistake from Middlesbrough goalkeeper Sol Brynn to bag the lucrative winner in the final moments of the second half at Wembley.
Hull will return to the Premier League for the first time since 2016-17, completing an incredible revival just 12 months after they avoided relegation to the third tier on goal difference.
McBurnie’s late goal hit the jackpot for Hull, with football finance experts Deloitte estimating the play-off final winners will earn at least £205 million ($275 million) over the next three seasons due to increased match-day, broadcast and commercial revenues.
