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Which Clubs Have Never Been Relegated?
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Which Clubs Have Never Been Relegated?

Which Clubs Have Never Been Relegated?

In football, few words spark as much drama and emotion as relegation. For many clubs, it's a harsh reality that looms each season — a drop that can mean lost revenue, star players leaving, or years spent fighting to climb back up. Yet, a rare group of clubs have managed to defy the odds, avoiding the drop entirely and cementing their place in the top tier of their domestic leagues. These teams represent the elite few who’ve never tasted the sting of relegation.

Inter Milan

Inter Milan stands alone in Italy, being the only club not to have dropped out of Serie A. They entered the top flight in 1909 and have remained there ever since — an uninterrupted run of 114 years. Rivals AC Milan and Juventus have both suffered demotion due to match-fixing scandals.

Ajax, Feyenoord, PSV Eindhoven

In Dutch football, three giants have maintained unbroken top-flight status: Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven.

PSV joined the Eredivisie in 1926, Feyenoord have been there for 102 years, and Ajax lead the trio with 106 consecutive seasons. Since the introduction of professional football in the Netherlands in 1954/55, these three have only missed out on the title seven times between them.

Porto, Benfica, Sporting CP

Much like the Netherlands, Portugal has its own 'Big Three' — Porto, Benfica and Sporting CP. Between them, they’ve lifted 87 league titles, with only two other clubs ever winning the Primeira Liga since its formation in 1934.

All three have preserved their places in the top division throughout the league’s 89-year history.

Aberdeen and Celtic

In Scotland, two clubs have managed to avoid relegation: Celtic and Aberdeen. Many would assume Rangers also feature, but they were demoted in 2012 due to financial issues.

Celtic and Aberdeen have remained in the top tier for over a century, establishing themselves as Scottish football mainstays.

Boca Juniors

Founded in 1905, Boca Juniors have competed in Argentina’s top division since 1913. They’ve gone on to claim 33 league titles, second only to arch-rivals River Plate with 38.

However, River Plate were relegated in 2011 after losing a two-legged playoff to Belgrano, returning to the top tier the following season.

Athletic Club, Barcelona, Real Madrid

In Spain, three clubs have retained La Liga status since its creation in 1929: Barcelona, Real Madrid and Athletic Club (often known as Athletic Bilbao).

While the first two have dominated Spanish football, Athletic Club have quietly amassed 96 consecutive top-flight seasons. They narrowly avoided relegation in 2006/07, finishing just one point above 18th-placed Celta Vigo.

Bohemians

Bohemians are well known today for producing Brighton striker Evan Ferguson, but they also hold a proud domestic record. Since entering the Irish top flight in 1921, the club have never been demoted — and have picked up 11 league titles along the way.

Universitario

Founded in 1924, Universitario reached Peru’s Primera División by 1928. They won their first title a year later and have competed in the top tier for 97 straight seasons.

They’re now the country’s most successful side in terms of championships, with 27 to their name.

Maccabi Tel Aviv

Established in 1908, Maccabi Tel Aviv first played in the Palestine League before joining what became the Israeli Premier League. Since the league’s modern formation in 1999, they’ve never slipped out of the top flight — a run that spans 92 years when including its predecessor leagues.

They are also one of only three Israeli sides to reach the Champions League group stages, featuring in 2004/05 and 2015/16.

Anderlecht, Standard Liège

Standard Liège boast the longest continuous stay in Belgium’s top division, featuring in 99 successive seasons since 1921 and winning 10 titles.

Anderlecht, though slightly later to join in 1935, have never been relegated either — and they’ve become the country’s most decorated club with 34 titles across 88 campaigns.

Colo-Colo

Perhaps lesser known to some, Colo-Colo are giants in South American football. They were the first Chilean team to win the Copa Libertadores in 1991 and have enjoyed domestic dominance since joining the Chilean top flight in 1933.

They’ve claimed 33 national titles and have never fallen below the top tier.

Benji Kosartiyer
Journalist
Callum Gill

Writer

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