Ipswich Town, Southampton and Leicester City begin their quests for promotion back to the Premier League this weekend - but is it practically already a done deal for at least two of them?
The trio, relegated from the top flight in May, are among just four clubs in the Championship who will be in receipt of parachute payments in 2025-26.
Sheffield United are the other, having dropped back into the second tier 12 months earlier.
"Senior figures across the English Football League are sounding the alarm over a growing imbalance in English football," said football finance expert Kieran Maguire.