Looking for Leeds United vs Stoke City? There’s no fixture currently on the calendar between these two, since Leeds play in the Premier League and Stoke play in the Championship for the 2026/27 season. The last time they met was on 21 April 2025 at Elland Road, when Leeds thumped Stoke 6-0 in a Championship match that sealed Leeds’ promotion back to the Premier League.
This guide covers that result in full, the head-to-head record between the two clubs, where each side stands today, and when they might realistically face each other again.
Leeds United vs Stoke City: Quick Answer
Leeds United and Stoke City last played each other on 21 April 2025 in the Championship, with Leeds winning 6-0 at home. There’s no Leeds United vs Stoke City match scheduled for the 2026/27 season because the two clubs are now in different divisions. The only realistic routes for a rematch are the Carabao Cup, the FA Cup, or a future Championship season if Leeds are relegated or Stoke get promoted.
The Last Meeting: Leeds 6-0 Stoke City (21 April 2025)
This wasn’t just any Championship fixture. Leeds needed a win, combined with Sheffield United failing to beat Burnley elsewhere, to guarantee an automatic return to the Premier League. Joël Piroe scored four goals in the first half alone, according to match reports from FotMob, putting the result beyond doubt long before half-time.
Leeds lined up in a 4-2-3-1 with Karl Darlow in goal, and Piroe leading the line ahead of Wilfried Gnonto, Brenden Aaronson and Manor Solomon. Stoke, managed by Mark Robins, started with Viktor Johansson in goal and couldn’t live with Leeds’ front line on the day. Sheffield United duly lost 2-1 in the late kick-off, confirming what the scoreline at Elland Road had already made obvious: Leeds were going up.
Why That Match Mattered: Leeds’ Promotion Party
Leeds finished the 2024/25 Championship season as champions with 100 points, edging out Burnley on goal difference after both sides finished level on points, according to Sky Sports coverage of the promotion race. It was Daniel Farke’s third career promotion from the Championship, and it brought Leeds back to the top flight just two seasons after relegation in 2022/23.
For Stoke, the defeat was part of a difficult 2024/25 campaign in which they avoided relegation only on the final day of the season. The result meant little for their own league position by that point, but it’s remembered locally as the day their fiercest promotion rivals confirmed their return to the Premier League at Stoke’s expense.
Head-to-Head Record Between Leeds United and Stoke City
Historical stats vary slightly depending on which competitions and years a tracker includes, so treat any single figure as approximate rather than definitive. According to head-to-head data from AiScore, the two sides have met 14 times in league competition since 2004, with Leeds winning 7, Stoke winning 4, and 3 matches drawn. Other trackers that include a longer run of fixtures put Leeds ahead by a wider margin across their full history.
What’s consistent across every source is that Leeds have had the better of recent meetings, particularly at Elland Road, where Stoke have struggled to get a positive result in the last several visits. The two clubs have mostly crossed paths in the Championship over the past decade, since Stoke’s relegation from the Premier League in 2018.
Where Are Both Clubs Now?
Leeds United in the Premier League
Leeds finished the 2025/26 Premier League season in 14th place under Daniel Farke, a solid return to the top flight after promotion. Dominic Calvert-Lewin was their leading league scorer with 14 goals, and the club also reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup. For 2026/27, Leeds continue in the Premier League, with their opening fixtures including a trip to Nottingham Forest.
Stoke City in the Championship
Stoke finished 17th in the Championship in 2025/26 under manager Mark Robins, a mid-table finish after a promising start saw them as high as 2nd early in the season before an injury crisis took hold. Sorba Thomas was their top scorer with 10 goals. Stoke remain in the Championship for 2026/27, meaning a Leeds United vs Stoke City league fixture isn’t possible again unless one club’s league status changes.
When Might Leeds United and Stoke City Play Again?
Since Leeds compete in the Premier League and Stoke in the Championship, a repeat Leeds United vs Stoke City meeting depends on one of a few things happening:
- A cup draw. Both clubs entered the 2026/27 Carabao Cup, with Leeds due to join at the second-round stage (week commencing 24 August 2026) since they aren’t in Europe this season. A draw pairing them together is possible but not guaranteed.
- The FA Cup. Both clubs could be drawn together from the third round onwards, once fixtures for that stage are confirmed later in the season.
- A change in league status. If Leeds were relegated or Stoke were promoted in a future season, they’d meet in the Championship again as a matter of course.
As it stands, there’s no confirmed date, so it’s worth checking the EFL and Premier League fixture pages directly once cup draws are made, since fixtures are always subject to change.
How to Watch Leeds United vs Stoke City (If They Meet Again)
If the two clubs are drawn together in the Carabao Cup or FA Cup, UK broadcast rights typically sit with Sky Sports or ITV depending on the round and competition. Check the official Leeds United and Stoke City club websites, or the EFL’s own fixture pages, closer to any confirmed date for exact kick-off times and TV details, since these can change once a draw is made.
FAQs
When did Leeds United last play Stoke City?
Leeds United last played Stoke City on 21 April 2025 in the Championship at Elland Road, winning 6-0. The result confirmed Leeds’ promotion to the Premier League for the 2025/26 season.
What was the score when Leeds played Stoke City?
The final score was Leeds United 6-0 Stoke City, with Joël Piroe scoring four goals in the first half. It remains one of the most one-sided results in the fixture’s recent history.
Is there a Leeds United vs Stoke City match this season?
No, there’s no fixture currently scheduled for 2026/27, since Leeds play in the Premier League and Stoke play in the Championship. They could still meet in the Carabao Cup or FA Cup if drawn together.
What is the head-to-head record between Leeds United and Stoke City?
Recent tracked data shows Leeds with the stronger record in matches played since 2004, winning more than half of the 14 recorded meetings, with Stoke winning several and a handful drawn. Figures vary slightly by source depending on which matches and competitions are included.
Why does the April 2025 match matter so much to Leeds fans?
That 6-0 win over Stoke, combined with Sheffield United’s defeat to Burnley the same day, confirmed Leeds United’s automatic promotion back to the Premier League. It’s remembered as Leeds’ promotion-clinching match of the 2024/25 season.
What division are Leeds United and Stoke City in now?
Leeds United play in the Premier League after finishing 14th in the 2025/26 season, while Stoke City play in the Championship after finishing 17th in 2025/26. Both clubs remain in their current divisions for 2026/27.
Could Leeds United and Stoke City meet in a cup competition?
Yes, both clubs are entered in the 2026/27 Carabao Cup and could also be drawn together in the FA Cup once the relevant rounds are reached. No such draw has been confirmed at the time of writing.
Who is the manager of each club?
Daniel Farke manages Leeds United, having led the club to Championship promotion in 2024/25, while Mark Robins manages Stoke City. Both remained in charge for the 2026/27 season.
