Ipswich Town have secured their return to the Premier League in stunning fashion, thrashing Queens Park Rangers 3-0 at Portman Road to clinch automatic promotion. Manager Kieran McKenna’s side needed just a win to book their ticket back to the top flight, and they delivered in electrifying style.

The Tractor Boys exploded out of the gates, with George Hirst and Jaden Philogene-Bidace netting two goals inside the opening nine minutes to put the hosts firmly in control. From there, Ipswich played with composure and confidence, sealing the victory with a late third from Kasey McAteer that ignited wild celebrations. This marks an incredible third promotion in just four seasons for McKenna’s squad—a testament to their relentless rise.

The result had major ripple effects across the Championship. Millwall and Middlesbrough, both hoping for an Ipswich slip-up to snatch automatic promotion, were left to settle for the play-offs instead. Millwall’s 2-0 win over Oxford wasn’t enough to close the one-point gap, ending their 36-year wait for a Premier League return by the narrowest of margins.

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough’s 2-2 draw with Wrexham proved costly for the Welsh side, dashing their hopes of a historic fourth straight promotion. The draw allowed Hull City to leapfrog Wrexham for the final play-off spot after a 2-1 victory over Norwich City.

The play-off semi-finals are now set: Millwall will face Hull City, while Southampton—who jumped to fourth with a 3-1 win over Preston—take on Middlesbrough. Both ties will be decided over two legs, leading to a winner-takes-all final at Wembley on May 23rd. For fans gearing up for the drama, this is football at its most thrilling—and the perfect time to gear up in your club’s colors.