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How many points do you need to stay in the Premier League?
TL;DR
To stay in the Premier League, teams typically need to achieve 36 points, as no team has been relegated with this total in the last nine seasons. Historically, the average points required for survival is around 35.53 since the 1995-96 season.
[BBC]
Premier League teams finishing on 36 or more points in each of the last nine seasons were guaranteed safety from relegation.
In the 20 team Premier League era, starting from the 1995-96 season, the average number of points needed for survival by finishing 18th is 35.53.
No team in the last nine campaigns has earned 36 points and been relegated.
However, this season is on track to be the toughest to survive in a decade. After 32 rounds of games, 18th place is projected to finish on 36 points, meaning 37 points would be enough to ensure survival.
In the 30 Premier League 38-game seasons, 36 points has ensured survival 60% of the time.
That rate of survival increases to 80% for 38 points, 90% for 40 points and 100% for 43 or more points.
West Ham hold the record for the team relegated with the most points in the 20-team era. In the 2002-03 season, the Hammers picked up 42 points but were still relegated.
The safety thresholds for the last two seasons have been significantly lower due to newly promoted teams struggling in the Premier League. The last two seasons have seen 26 and 27 points be enough to seal safety respectively.
Only once prior to the 2023-24 season has a total below 30 points been enough to seal survival.
Points needed to guarantee safety
Wolves have picked up 17 points from their opening 32 Premier League games of the season [Getty Images]
- 25 points or less – survival in 0/30 seasons (0%)
- 26 – survival in 1/30 seasons (3.33%)
- 27 – survival in 2/30 seasons (6.67%)
- 28 – survival in 2/30 seasons (6.67%)
- 29 – survival in 3/30 seasons (10%)
- 30 – survival in 3/30 seasons (10%)
- 31 – survival in 4/30 seasons (13.33%)
- 32 – survival in 4/30 seasons (13.33%)
- 33 – survival in 4/30 seasons (13.33%)
- 34 – survival in 9/30 seasons (30%)
- 35 – survival in 16/30 seasons (53.33%)
- 36 – survival in 18/30 seasons (60%)
- 37 – survival in 23/30 seasons (76.67%)
- 38 – survival in 24/30 seasons (80%)
- 39 – survival in 26/30 seasons (86.67%)
- 40 – survival in 27/30 seasons (90%)
- 41 – survival in 29/30 seasons (96.67%)
- 42 – survival in 29/30 seasons (96.67%)
- 43+ – survival in 30/30 seasons (100%)
History of points needed to survive in the Premier League
- 1992-93 – 50 (42-game season)
- 1993-94 – 43 (42-game season)
- 1994-95 – 46 (42-game season)
- 1995-96 – 39
- 1996-97 – 41
- 1997-98 – 41
- 1998-99 – 37
- 1999-00 – 34
- 2000-01 – 35
- 2001-02 – 37
- 2002-03 – 43
- 2003-04 – 34
- 2004-05 – 34
- 2005-06 – 35
- 2006-07 – 39
- 2007-08 – 37
- 2008-09 – 35
- 2009-10 – 31
- 2010-11 – 40
- 2011-12 – 37
- 2012-13 – 37
- 2013-14 – 34
- 2014-15 – 36
- 2015-16 – 38
- 2016-17 – 35
- 2017-18 – 34
- 2018-19 – 35
- 2019-20 – 35
- 2020-21 – 29
- 2021-22 – 36
- 2022-23 – 35
- 2023-24 – 27
- 2024-25 - 26
This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.
More questions answered...
Q&A
What is the average number of points needed to avoid relegation in the Premier League?
The average number of points needed to avoid relegation in the Premier League is approximately 35.53 since the 1995-96 season.
How many points guarantee safety from relegation in the Premier League?
Teams finishing with 36 or more points have been guaranteed safety from relegation in the last nine seasons.
Has any Premier League team been relegated with 36 points?
No team in the last nine seasons has been relegated after earning 36 points.
What position typically corresponds to the points needed for Premier League survival?
Finishing in 18th place typically corresponds to the points needed for Premier League survival.
