Is gap between Champions League and Championship getting smaller?

Last season, the Premier League displayed a level of competitiveness not seen in years. Arsenal, the champions, and Wolves, the bottom side, were separated by a mere 65 points, which is roughly in line with the typical margin for a 38-game season (63). However, the gap between the top four and the bottom three clubs, traditionally representing the Champions League and Championship respectively, had been steadily narrowing over the years.

This trend intensified during the 2024-25 season, with the divide shrinking from 44 points in the previous campaign to a mere 26 points, marking the smallest separation in 23 years (since 2002-03).

Interestingly, the European qualification spots became more attainable for lower-ranked teams. Aston Villa, despite earning one fewer point than they did in the previous season, managed to secure a Champions League spot by climbing two places in the standings. Liverpool, on the other hand, secured the remaining European berth by finishing fifth, but their 60 points were the lowest tally by a side in that position since 2002-03, a statistic that could have relegated them to ninth place in 2024-25.

Additionally, Bournemouth and Sunderland capitalized on the reduced point threshold required for European competition, marking their first-ever qualification for these tournaments in over half a century.