Long shot it may be but with two games plus the play offs to go, Millwall’s ascension from the Championship remains a live prospect. A club like few if any others in the English game, with a fanbase who love nothing more than the distaste their club engenders in others, in the top flight? If nothing else it would make the 2025-26 Premier League unlike any other.

It is still unlikely to come to that, but the prospect is altogether more live at the end of Easter Monday than it was at the start. The incumbents of the last two playoff spots, Coventry City and Bristol City, were both felled by relegation-threatened opponents. Middlesbrough, on the outside looking in, ended up with nothing to show from their trip to Sheffield Wednesday. Meanwhile Alex Neil’s side more than kept up their end of the bargain, responding to a bruising defeat at Blackburn on Friday with a resounding 3-1 win at Norwich.

They will still need more breaks to go their way. With two games to go, they sit three points out of sixth with an inferior goal difference. They will need at least one of Coventry or Bristol City to drop points in both games. If Middlesbrough win out they’d likely need fifth and sixth to collapse while beating Swansea and Burnley in their remaining matchups.

Impressive Win Over Norwich

On Monday’s evidence, that is not beyond the realms of possibility. Millwall have now won five of their last seven at a stage of the season where momentum seems to be the Championship’s most valuable commodity. Their performance against Norwich couldn’t help but inspire wonder about what might happen if they both make the playoffs and win at Wembley.

“The way they approach the game is like grassroots football for the professional game,” shares CBS Sports analyst Nigel Reo-Coker, a man who knows all too well how tough an away assignment Millwall poses. “They would bring an electric atmosphere, an underdog energy. As their song goes, no one likes them, they don’t care. It’s the club that’s from the wrong side of the tracks and they’re proud of it.”

“They love being an underdog, love facing adversity. The atmosphere in every Premier League game would be utterly electric; you couldn’t put it into words, you’d have to be in the stadium.”

In pure footballing terms, Millwall would offer an intriguing counterbalance to many others in the league. If footballing philosophies often focus on inverted full-backs and ball control, Millwall represents a ruggedness that prioritizes grit over finesse.

For all of Norwich’s possession, they could scarcely find a way through Millwall’s determined setup, failing to register a shot until Josh Sargent curled wide with half an hour left. A Shane Duffy header briefly sparked hope before Millwall took control again, scoring two goals that sealed their decisive victory.

Millwall’s journey towards promotion may seem unlikely, but if they do succeed, the Premier League would welcome a new and indeed challenging presence.

What Would They Bring to the Premier League?

Millwall’s fans, notorious for creating a charged atmosphere, could potentially lead to a mix of exhilaration and concern among fellow Premier League clubs. Despite the club’s past controversies, they have committed to community outreach and building a positive identity.

As their preparations to face potential rivalries heat up, the question remains: what dynamics would Millwall introduce to the Premier League if they finally secure a spot among the elite?