The 2025–26 season was the 122nd season in the history of Hull City Association Football Club, and their fifth consecutive season in the Championship. In addition to the domestic league, the club also participated in the FA Cup and the EFL Cup.
After finishing in 6th place, Hull prevailed against Middlesbrough in the play-off final, thus sealing a return to the Premier League for the first time since the 2016–17 season. They also became the first 6th place team to be promoted to the top flight since 2010.
Season summary Pre-season May On 15 May 2025, following the conclusion of the 2024–25 season, head coach Rubén Sellés was dismissed from his role. His coaching team, consisting of James Oliver-Pearce and Tobias Loveland, were also dismissed. On 17 May, Hull announced their retained list. Left-back Brandon Fleming was the headline departure, leaving the club after 16 years. Wingers Nordin Amrabat and Doğukan Sinik also left, among others. On 21 May, Martin Hodge was announced as the club's new Head of Recruitment. The following week, on 29 May, the head coach of the U18s, David Meyler, left his role at the club after Cork City signed him as their new assistant manager.
June On 11 June, Sellés' replacement was unveiled when Sergej Jakirović was appointed as the new head coach, signing a two-year deal. He was joined by his own coaching staff, consisting of Marko Salatović, Marin Ivančić, and Anđelo Roguljić. Following Jakirović's arrival, Moroccan midfielder Reda Laalaoui became the club's first official signing of the summer window, signing from FUS Rabat for £400,000 on a four-year deal. Experienced duo Dillon Phillips and Semi Ajayi then agreed Bosman deals with the Tigers, amidst a flurry of outgoings.
Firstly, Xavier Simons permanently moved to Bolton Wanderers, whilst Thimothée Lo-Tutala was loaned back to Doncaster Rovers for a second time, having previously been there in the second half of the 2023–24 season. On 19 June, João Pedro left the club by mutual consent. This news came just over a month after he had agreed a new contract with Hull. Elsewhere, ex-academy graduate Andy Smith moved to League Two side Gillingham after 14 years with the Tigers, before Anthony Racioppi returned to his native Switzerland by signing for Sion. The fixtures for the upcoming season were then released on 26 June, with Hull drawn away to Coventry City on the opening day and at home to Norwich City on the final day.
July On 2 July, Dean Holden was announced as an additional assistant head coach to support Jakirović and his team. As a result, Andy Dawson swapped his position as a first team coach for a new role as Head of Player Development. On 4 July, Hull were hit with a fee-restricting transfer embargo from the EFL, set to last three transfer windows. The embargo was reportedly placed due to late payments to Aston Villa the previous season, over the loan of Louie Barry. The club immediately reacted by stating their intent to appeal the decision. More news surfaced on 7 July, when it came to light that a similar issue with payments to Manchester City over the loan of Fin Burns had led to a further embargo, although it had already been lifted by the time the press were notified. Despite the worrying headlines, owner Acun Ilıcalı remained calm when questioned for his opinion and reassured supporters that the situation was simply "a misunderstanding". As a result of the initial embargo, the recent signings of Gustavo Puerta and Reda Laalaoui were put in jeopardy, with the club unable to register either player with the EFL.
Whilst awaiting to have their appeal heard, the Tigers began acting in accordance with their new fee restriction, which stopped them from paying any form of transfer fee for a new player. By this time, a second wave of departures had begun, with Matty Jacob loaned to Reading for the season and Marvin Mehlem returning to Germany on a permanent basis with Arminia Bielefeld. Towards the end of the month, two of Hull's longest-serving players left the club. On 19 July, after six years with the Tigers, versatile defender Sean McLoughlin moved to fellow Championship side Blackburn Rovers for £500,000. Then, on 26 July, vice-captain Alfie Jones headed to Middlesbrough for a £3,000,000 fee, following half a decade in black and amber. Young centre-back Charlie Hughes was in turn promoted to replace Jones as deputy to captain Lewie Coyle. That week also saw Abdülkadir Ömür and Mason Burstow go out on season-long loans, to Antalyaspor and Bolton Wanderers respectively. Then, over three weeks after the news broke, the first new face since the fee restriction arrived. Having seen out his contract with Sheffield Wednesday, 26-year-old Akin Famewo penned a two-year deal with the Tigers on 29 July. Furthermore, two important loans were secured prior to the start of August. England U19 winger Joel Ndala, as well as former Young Lion John Lundstram both made temporary switches to Hull for the campaign.
Opening months August Player of the Month: Joe GelhardtGoal of the Month: Oli McBurnie (v Oxford United)
Although there was still no update on the fee restriction, transfer business continued throughout the run-up to the start of the new season. On 1 August, former Turkey youth international Enis Destan joined for free from Trabzonspor, signing a three-year deal. Then, following just one season with Hull, midfielder Steven Alzate left the club for MLS outfit Atlanta United, moving for a fee of £1,750,000. It had taken most of the summer to find a replacement for João Pedro, but on 6 August the Tigers acquired former Sheffield United target man Oli McBurnie, shortly after he had terminated his contract with Spanish side Las Palmas. The next day, goalkeeper Harvey Cartwright was loaned out to Hartlepool United for the season.
Prior to kick-off on opening day away at Coventry City, the club announced the return of Joe Gelhardt for his second spell on loan from Leeds United. His redebut in black and amber came that afternoon as a substitute at the CBS Arena. The Tigers went on to achieve a point in Jakirović's first competitive fixture in charge of Hull, having played out a goalless draw with their hosts. Three days later, they drew again, although eventually lost via penalty shoot-out, after a thrilling 3–3 battle with Wrexham in the EFL Cup. Hull's first goal of the season was scored by McBurnie, with the English-born Scotsman finding the net on 36 minutes to level the tie after going 1–0 down at the Racecourse Ground. On 15 August, the squad strengthened yet further with the additions of winger David Akintola and left-back Brandon Williams. It was the first time Williams had been registered at a club since his release from Manchester United in 2024 and, more recently, his suspended prison sentence for dangerous driving only three months earlier. The opening home fixture of the campaign soon followed on 17 August, as the Tigers secured a late 3–2 victory over Oxford United, thanks to goals from Gelhardt and Matt Crooks, plus a stoppage-time winner from McBurnie.
News on the outcome of Hull's fee restriction appeal finally broke on 19 August. The EFL and their Club Financial Reporting Unit (CFRU) made public that the restriction had been reduced from three transfer windows to just two. However, they also announced that the third window had only been suspended, meaning that if the club made any further financial violation before 1 July 2026, the third window would be reinstated. The result of the decision left Hull stuck being able to only sign free agents and bring in loans for the remainder of the campaign. As the month drew to a close, the issues off the pitch were reflected in performances on it, as the Tigers suffered heavy defeats in consecutive league fixtures against Blackburn Rovers and Bristol City. The only positive news to come out of the two losses was the welcome return of Mohamed Belloumi, who had just recovered from an ACL injury he had been sidelined with since November 2024.
September Player of the Month: Oli McBurnieGoal of the Month: John Lundstram (v Southampton)
At 19:00 on 1 September, the summer transfer window shut. Prior to the deadline, Abu Kamara was loaned out to pre-season opponents Getafe, in turn allowing for Bosnia and Herzegovina international Amir Hadžiahmetović to arrive on a season-long loan from Beşiktaş. Hull's final signing of the window was Darko Gyabi, who signed a three-year contract having been allowed to leave Leeds United on a free transfer. Finally, despite the club making no official announcement, there was now confirmation that the transfer of Gustavo Puerta had been annulled, after the Colombian moved from his former team Bayer Leverkusen to Segunda División side Racing de Santander. Similarly, it came to light that the transfer of Reda Laalaoui had met the same fate, when he was unveiled at Belgian club Westerlo on 8 September. The next day, Hull announced that £15 million of their shareholder loan had been converted into equity in order to help strengthen the club's finances.
Following the international break, the Tigers returned to league action on 13 September. Away at Swansea City, goals from McBurnie and John Egan were required to earn a hard-fought point in South Wales, after Hull had gone 2–0 down inside 40 minutes. Jakirović's side would have to wait only another week for their second win of the season, beating recently relegated Southampton 3–1 at the MKM. Momentum was then lost in an uninspiring performance away at Watford, which in turn bled into a difficult evening at home to Preston North End, notable for an Ivor Pandur blunder and the long-awaited return of Liam Millar from injury. The Tigers sat 18th by the end of the month.
October Player of the Month: Joe GelhardtGoal of the Month: Liam Millar (v Leicester City)
Pandur soon recovered his form in remarkable fashion on 4 October, saving a late penalty from Harrison Burrows to secure an important 1–0 win over Sheffield United ahead of the next international break. On 10 October, ex-Blade McBurnie was named as the EFL Championship Player of the Month for September. Meanwhile the following week, another former Blades' player, this time midfielder Lundstram, was ruled out for six weeks with a calf injury he had sustained against his old club. On 18 October, league play resumed. In an ill-tempered affair at St Andrew's, Hull ran out 3–2 winners against Birmingham City to claim their first away victory of the campaign, coincidentally also ending the hosts' run of 29 home games unbeaten. The match was littered with flashpoints, with the most prominent of these coming towards the end of the first half when a touchline brawl broke out between both teams' coaching staff and players. Birmingham were later fined £115,000, whereas Hull were only fined £25,000. A 2–1 win at the MKM over another recently relegated side in Leicester City took the Tigers as high as 7th. The month was then rounded out with a solid 1–1 draw at home to Charlton Athletic.
Winter period November Player of the Month: Joe GelhardtGoal of the Month: Joe Gelhardt (v Portsmouth)