Leicester City F.C.

{{short description|Association football club in England}} {{about|the men's football club|the women's team|Leicester City W.F.C.}} {{redirect|Leicester City|the city itself|Leicester}} {{protection padlock|small=yes}} {{Use British English|date=March 2026}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}} {{Infobox football club | nickname = The Foxes | ground = [[King Power Stadium]] | capacity = 32,259 | clubname = Leicester City | image = Leicester City crest.svg | upright = 0.85 | fullname = Leicester City Football Club | founded = {{Start date and age|1884}}<br />(as ''Leicester Fosse F.C.'') | owner = [[King Power International Group]] | chairman = [[Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha]] | manager = [[Gary Rowett]] | league = {{English football updater|LeicestC}} | season = {{English football updater|LeicestC2}} | position = {{English football updater|LeicestC3}} | pattern_la1 = _leicester2526h | pattern_b1 = _leicester2526h | pattern_ra1 = _leicester2526h | pattern_sh1 = _leicester2526h | pattern_so1 = _leicester2526hl | leftarm1 = 0000FE | body1 = 0000FE | rightarm1 = 0000FE | shorts1 = 0000FE | socks1 = 0000FE | pattern_la2 = _leicester2526a | pattern_b2 = _leicester2526a | pattern_ra2 = _leicester2526a | pattern_sh2 = _leicester2526A | pattern_so2 = _leicester2526al | leftarm2 = | body2 = | rightarm2 = | shorts2 = | socks2 = | pattern_la3 = _leicester2526t | pattern_b3 = _leicester2526t | pattern_ra3 = _leicester2526t | pattern_sh3 = _leicester2526t | pattern_so3 = _adidasblackl | leftarm3 = FFC0CB | body3 = FFC0CB | rightarm3 = FFC0CB | shorts3 = 000000 | socks3 = FFC0CB | current = 2025–26 Leicester City F.C. season | website = {{URL|https://lcfc.com}} }}

'''Leicester City Football Club''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|l|ɛ|s|t|ər|audio=Leicester.ogg}} {{respell|LES|tər}})<ref>"[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leicester Leicester]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919054700/http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leicester|date=19 September 2015}}". ''Merriam-Webster Dictionary''. Retrieved 28 August 2015.</ref> is a professional [[association football|football]] club based in [[Leicester]], [[East Midlands]], England. The club competes in {{English football updater|LeicestC}}, the third tier of [[English football league system|English football]] following relegation.<ref>{{cite news|title=Leicester City relegated from the Championship|url=https://www.itv.com/news/central/2026-04-21/leicester-city-relegated-from-the-championship|website=ITV|date=21 April 2026|access-date=21 April 2026}}</ref>

The club was founded in 1884 as Leicester Fosse F.C, before they became known as Leicester City in 1919, coinciding with the city of Leicester gaining official [[city status]]. They moved to [[Filbert Street]] in 1891, were [[Re-election (Football League)|elected]] to [[the Football League]] in 1894, and moved to the nearby Walkers Stadium in 2002. The stadium was renamed to the present day King Power Stadium in 2011.

Leicester City have won seven prominent trophies within the English football league system, including one [[Premier League]], one [[FA Cup]], three [[Football League Cup|League Cups]], and two [[FA Community Shield]]s. They are currently the sixth most successful team in [[English football]] since the turn of the century, as one of only five clubs to have won all three major [[domestic cup|domestic]] trophies since 2000.<ref name="HistoryHonoursMen">{{cite web |title=Honours – LCFC Men |url=https://www.lcfc.com/pages/en/history-honours-men |website=Leicester City Football Club |access-date=1 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250307150943/https://www.lcfc.com/pages/en/history-honours-men |archive-date=7 March 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref> The club's [[2015–16 Premier League]] title win attracted global attention, and they became one of seven clubs to have won the Premier League since its [[Foundation of the Premier League|inception in 1992]].<ref>{{cite news |last=James |first=Stuart |date=24 February 2017 |title=Claudio Ranieri's reign ends in cruel, brutal fashion as Leicester lose patience |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2017/feb/24/claudio-ranieri-reign-ends-brutal-leicester-city-owners |access-date=11 February 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Prior to 2015–16, Leicester's highest league finish was second place in the [[1928–29 Football League|1928–29 First Division]].

The club's longest period of time spent at the top level of [[English football]] came between 1957 and 1969. During these years, Leicester reached three [[FA Cup]] finals, competed in European football for the first time, and recorded their third highest ever league finish. The club have since participated in a further six European campaigns and two [[FA Cup]] finals, reaching the [[UEFA Champions League]] quarter-finals in [[2016–17 UEFA Champions League|2016–17]], winning the [[FA Cup]] in [[2021 FA Cup final|2021]], and reaching the [[UEFA Europa Conference League]] semi-finals in [[2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League|2021–22]]. Leicester won the League Cup in [[1964 Football League Cup final|1964]], [[1997 Football League Cup final|1997]], and [[2000 Football League Cup final|2000]] respectively, and were finalists in [[1964–65 Football League Cup|1964–65]] and [[1998–99 Football League Cup|1998–99]].

==History== {{main|History of Leicester City F.C.}}

[[File:LeicFosse1892.jpg|thumb|right|The Leicester Fosse team of 1892.]]

===Founding and early years (1884–1949)=== Formed in 1884 by a group of old boys of [[Wyggeston Grammar School for Boys|Wyggeston School]] as "Leicester Fosse", the club joined [[The Football Association]] (FA) in 1890.<ref name="OBAF">{{cite book |last=Sewell |first=Albert |title=Observer's Book of Association Football |publisher=Frederick Warne & Co. |location=London |year=1974 |page=58 |isbn=978-0-7232-1536-3}}</ref> Before moving to [[Filbert Street]] in 1891, the club played at five different grounds, including [[Victoria Park, Leicester|Victoria Park]] south-east of the city centre and the [[Belgrave Road Cycle and Cricket Ground]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Short sporting lifetime |url=http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Short-sporting-lifetime/story-12030623-detail/story.html |url-status=dead |work=Leicester Mercury |date=1 February 2010 |access-date=31 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002163351/http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Short-sporting-lifetime/story-12030623-detail/story.html |archive-date=2 October 2015}}</ref> The club also joined the [[Midland League (1889)|Midland League]] in 1891, and were [[Re-election (Football League)|elected]] to [[Football League Second Division|Division Two]] of the [[Football League]] in 1894 after finishing second. Leicester's first match in the Football League was a 4–3 defeat at [[Grimsby Town F.C.|Grimsby Town]], with a first league win the following week, against [[Rotherham United F.C.|Rotherham United]] at Filbert Street. The same season also saw the team's largest win to date, a 13–0 victory over Notts Olympic in an [[FA Cup]] qualifying match.<ref name="An Indepth History of Leicester City">{{cite web |title=The History of Leicester City Football Club |url=http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/History/0,,10274,00.html |url-status=dead |publisher=Leicester City F.C. |access-date=31 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090621091515/http://www.lcfc.com/page/History/0%2C%2C10274%2C00.html |archive-date=21 June 2009}}</ref> In [[1907–08 in English football|1907–08]], the club finished as Second Division runners-up, gaining [[Promotion and relegation|promotion]] to the [[Football League First Division|First Division]], the highest level of English football. However, the club was relegated after a [[1908–09 in English football|single season]] which included the team's record defeat, a 12–0 loss against [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]].<ref name="An Indepth History of Leicester City"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/tournaments/tournament.sd?tourn_id=1271|title=Final 1908/1909 English Division 1 (old) Table|publisher=Football DataCo Limited|access-date=31 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102185159/http://www.soccerbase.com/tournaments/tournament.sd?tourn_id=1271|archive-date=2 November 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1919, when league football resumed after [[World War I]], Leicester Fosse ceased trading due to financial difficulties. The club was reformed as "Leicester City Football Club" which was particularly appropriate as the borough of Leicester had recently been given [[City status in the United Kingdom|city status]]. Following the name change, the club enjoyed moderate success in the 1920s under the [[Manager (association football)|management]] of [[Peter Hodge]], who won the Division Two title in [[1924–25 in English football|1924–25]]. Hodge left in May 1926 and was replaced two months later by [[Willie Orr]].<ref name="Soceerbase profile">{{cite web |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=1527&teamTabs=records |title=All Time Leicester Records & Achievements |publisher=Soccerbase.com |access-date=31 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130305173529/http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=1527&teamTabs=records |archive-date=5 March 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/leicester-city/1924-1925/table |title=Leicester City 1924–1925: English Division Two (old) Table |publisher=Statto.com |access-date=31 October 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102113855/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/leicester-city/1924-1925/table |archive-date=2 November 2013}}</ref> In [[1928–29 in English football|1928–29]], the club recorded their second highest ever league finish, finishing as runners-up by a single point to [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|The Wednesday]].<ref name="OBAF"/> However, the 1930s saw a downturn in fortunes, with the club relegated in [[1934–35 in English football|1934–35]]. After promotion in [[1936–37 in English football|1936–37]], another relegation in [[1938–39 in English football|1938–39]] would see them finish the decade in Division Two.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/leicester-city/1934-1935/table |title=Leicester City 1934–1935 : English Division Two (old) Table |publisher=Statto.com |access-date=31 October 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102113859/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/leicester-city/1934-1935/table |archive-date=2 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/leicester-city/1936-1937/table |title=Leicester City 1936–1937: English Division Two (old) Table |publisher=Statto.com |access-date=31 October 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102113934/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/leicester-city/1936-1937/table |archive-date=2 November 2013}}</ref><ref name="An Indepth History of Leicester City"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/leicester-city/1938-1939/table |title=Leicester City 1938–1939: English Division Two (old) Table |publisher=Statto.com |access-date=31 October 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102113825/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/leicester-city/1938-1939/table |archive-date=2 November 2013}}</ref>

===Post-World War II (1949–2000)===

Leicester reached the [[FA Cup final]] for the first time in their history in [[1949 FA Cup Final|1949]], losing 3–1 to [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]].<ref name="An Indepth History of Leicester City"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/tournaments/tournament.sd?tourn_id=674 |title=Socerbase.com FA Cup 1949 |publisher=Soccerbase.com |access-date=31 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102190708/http://www.soccerbase.com/tournaments/tournament.sd?tourn_id=674 |archive-date=2 November 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> The club, however, was celebrating a week later when a draw on the last day of the season ensured survival in Division Two.<ref>{{cite web |title=Leicester City 1948–1949: Results |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/leicester-city/1948-1949/results |publisher=Statto.com |access-date=31 October 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102113822/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/leicester-city/1948-1949/results |archive-date=2 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Leicester City 1948–1949: English Division Two (old) Table |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/leicester-city/1948-1949/table |publisher=Statto.com |access-date=31 October 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102113820/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/leicester-city/1948-1949/table |archive-date=2 November 2013}}</ref> In 1954, Leicester won the Division Two championship, with the help of [[Arthur Rowley]], one of the club's most prolific ever [[Forward (association football)|strikers]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Leicester City 1953–1954: English Division Two (old) Table |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/leicester-city/1953-1954/table |publisher=Statto.com |access-date=31 October 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102113817/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/leicester-city/1953-1954/table |archive-date=2 November 2013}}</ref> Despite relegation in the previous season, under the management of [[Dave Halliday]], Leicester returned to Division One in 1957, with Rowley scoring a club record 44 goals in one season.<ref>{{cite web|title=QosFC: Legends – Dave Halliday|url=http://www.qosfc.com/new_legendsview.aspx?playerid=1048|work=qosfc.com|access-date=31 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020204158/http://www.qosfc.com/new_legendsview.aspx?playerid=1048|archive-date=20 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Soceerbase profile" /> Leicester remained in Division One for 12 years until 1969, their longest period to date in the top division of English football. Halliday left the club in October 1958.<ref>{{cite news|title=Leicester City drops into second division|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=x_BUAAAAIBAJ&pg=2115%2C3843231|date=20 May 1969|access-date=2 January 2013|newspaper=Leader-Post|location=Regina|agency=Reuters|page=21|archive-date=4 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204172000/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=x_BUAAAAIBAJ&pg=2115%2C3843231|url-status=live}}</ref>

Under the management of [[Matt Gillies]], who was appointed on 8 November 1958, and his assistant [[Bert Johnson (footballer, born 1916)|Bert Johnson]], Leicester reached the FA Cup final on another two occasions, but were defeated in both [[1961 FA Cup Final|1961]] and [[1963 FA Cup Final|1963]].<ref name="An Indepth History of Leicester City"/> As they lost to double winners [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] in 1961, Leicester were England's representatives in the [[European Cup Winners' Cup 1961–62|1961–62 European Cup Winners' Cup]]. For much of the [[1963 in association football|1962–63 season]], the club led the First Division and became nicknamed the ''[[1962–63 Leicester City F.C. season|"Ice Kings"]]'' due to their remarkable run of form on icy and frozen pitches. Leicester eventually finished in 4th place, the club's best post-war finish. Gillies guided Leicester to their first piece of silverware in 1964, when they beat [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]] 4–3 on aggregate to win the [[EFL Cup|League Cup]].<ref name="An Indepth History of Leicester City"/> Leicester also reached the League Cup final in the following year, but lost 3–2 on aggregate to [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]. Gillies and Johnson received praise for their version of the "whirl" and the "switch" system, a system that had previously been used by the [[Austria national football team|Austrian]] and [[Hungary national football team|Hungarian]] national teams.<ref name="guardian">{{cite news |last=Bagchi |first=Rob |title=The forgotten story of ... Leicester City: Ice Kings |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/oct/06/forgotten-story-leicester-city-ice-kings |url-status=live |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=6 October 2011 |access-date=31 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021132918/http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/oct/06/forgotten-story-leicester-city-ice-kings |archive-date=21 October 2013}}</ref> After a poor start to the season, Matt Gillies resigned as manager in November 1968. His successor [[Frank O'Farrell]] was unable to prevent relegation, but the club reached the FA Cup final again in [[1969 FA Cup final|1969]], losing 1–0 to Manchester City.

[[File:Robbie Savage.jpg|thumb|[[Robbie Savage]] in action against [[Barnsley F.C.|Barnsley]] during the [[1997-98 in English football|1997–98]] season.]]

In 1971, Leicester were promoted back to the First Division, and won the [[1971 FA Charity Shield|FA Charity Shield]] for the first time.<ref name="An Indepth History of Leicester City"/> Due to [[Double (association football)|double]] winners [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]'s commitments in European competition, [[Second Division]] winners Leicester were invited to play FA Cup runners-up [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]. Leicester won the match 1–0 with [[Steve Whitworth]] the winning goalscorer.<ref name="An Indepth History of Leicester City" /><ref name="nick">{{cite news |last=Miller |first=Nick |title=The forgotten story of ... Leicester City winning the 1971 Charity Shield |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2016/aug/04/leicester-city-charity-shield-1971-forgotten-story |url-status=live |work=The Guardian |date=4 August 2016 |access-date=4 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807144546/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2016/aug/04/leicester-city-charity-shield-1971-forgotten-story |archive-date=7 August 2016}}</ref> [[Jimmy Bloomfield]] was appointed as the club's new manager in June 1971, and the team remained in the First Division throughout his tenure. Leicester also reached the [[FA Cup semi-finals|FA Cup semi-final]] in [[1973–74 FA Cup|1973–74]].<ref name="The Age 1975-04-05">{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kBAQAAAAIBAJ&pg=5919,1069364&dq=leicester+fa+cup+semi-final|title=Liverpool in 5th Cup Final|date=5 April 1975|work=The Age|page=26|access-date=16 September 2009}} {{Dead link|date=November 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> [[Frank McLintock]], a notable former player of seven years in a successful period from the late 1950s to the mid-1960s, succeeded Bloomfield in 1977.

On 19 March 1977, [[Winston White]] became Leicester's first black player to feature for the club, in an away match at [[Stoke City]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hern |first1=Bill |last2=Gleave |first2=David |title=Football's Black Pioneers |date=2020 |publisher=Conker Editions |location=Leicester |isbn=9781999900854 |pages=168–169}}</ref> The club was relegated at the end of the 1977–78 season and McLintock resigned. [[Jock Wallace]] resumed the tradition of successful Scottish managers (after Peter Hodge and Matt Gillies) by steering Leicester to the Second Division championship in [[1979–80 in English football#Second Division|1980]].<ref name="New Straits Times 1980-05-08">{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Kq4TAAAAIBAJ&pg=5450,1043042&dq=leicester+championship|title=Liverpool finally get something|date=8 May 1980|work=New Straits Times|page=30|access-date=17 September 2009|archive-date=4 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204171950/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Kq4TAAAAIBAJ&pg=5450%2C1043042&dq=leicester+championship|url-status=live}}</ref> Wallace was unable to keep Leicester in the First Division, but they reached the FA Cup semi-final in 1982. Under Wallace, one of Leicester City's most famous home-grown players, [[Gary Lineker]], emerged into the first-team squad.

Leicester's next manager was [[Gordon Milne]], who was appointed in August 1982. He achieved promotion with the club a year later in 1983. Lineker helped Leicester maintain their place in the First Division, but was sold to [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] in 1985. Two years later, Leicester were relegated, having failed to find a suitable replacement to partner [[Alan Smith (footballer, born 1962)|Alan Smith]], who was then sold to Arsenal after Leicester went down. Milne left in 1986 and was replaced in 1987 by [[David Pleat]], who managed the club until January 1991. [[Gordon Lee (footballer)|Gordon Lee]] succeeded Pleat and was put in charge until the end of the [[1990–91 Leicester City F.C. season|1990–91 season]], guiding Leicester clear of relegation to the third tier of English football.<ref name="An Indepth History of Leicester City"/>

[[Brian Little (footballer)|Brian Little]] took over in May 1991 and by the end of the [[1991–92 Leicester City F.C. season|1991–92 season]], Leicester had reached the play-off final for a place in the new [[Premier League]]. They lost to [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]] by way of a penalty from former Leicester striker [[Mike Newell (footballer)|Mike Newell]]. The club also reached the play-off final the following year, but lost 4–3 to [[Swindon Town F.C.|Swindon Town]]. In the [[1993–94 Leicester City F.C. season|1993–94 season]], Leicester were promoted from the play-offs at the third attempt under Brian Little, beating East Midlands rivals [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]] 2–1 in the final.<ref name="An Indepth History of Leicester City"/> Little quit as Leicester manager in the following November to take charge at [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]], and his successor [[Mark McGhee]] was unable to save Leicester from finishing second bottom of the [[1994–95 Premier League]].

McGhee left the club unexpectedly in December 1995, while Leicester were top of the Second Division, to take charge of Wolverhampton Wanderers.<ref name="The Independent 1995-12-14">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/mcghee-the-new-man-at-molineux-1525726.html|title=McGhee the new man at Molineux|date=14 December 1995|work=The Independent|access-date=16 September 2009|location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112015823/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/mcghee-the-new-man-at-molineux-1525726.html|archive-date=12 November 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> McGhee was replaced by [[Martin O'Neill]].<ref name="An Indepth History of Leicester City"/> Under O'Neill, Leicester reached the [[1996 Football League play-offs|play-off final]] in 1996 and gained promotion to the [[Premier League]]. Following promotion, Leicester established themselves in the [[Premier League]] with four successive top 10 finishes. O'Neill also ended Leicester's 33-year wait for a major trophy, winning the League Cup in [[1996–97 Football League Cup|1997]] and again in [[1999–2000 Football League Cup|2000]]. Thus, the club qualified for the [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]] in [[1997–98 UEFA Cup|1997–98]] and [[2000–01 UEFA Cup|2000–01]], which was their first participation in European football since 1961. In June 2000, O'Neill left Leicester City to take over as manager of [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]].

===Decline in the early 21st century (2000–2008)===

Martin O'Neill was replaced by former [[England national under-21 football team|England under-21]] coach [[Peter John Taylor|Peter Taylor]]. During this time, one of Leicester's European campaigns ended in a 3–1 defeat to [[Red Star Belgrade]] on 28 September 2000 in the UEFA Cup.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/uefa_cup/945130.stm |title=Red Star end Leicester dreams |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=28 September 2000 |access-date=4 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113012023/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/uefa_cup/945130.stm |archive-date=13 January 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Leicester began well under Taylor's management, topping the Premier League for two weeks in the autumn and remaining in contention for a European place for most of the season, before a late-season collapse following an FA Cup semi-final defeat to Wycombe Wanderers, dragged them down to a 13th-place finish. Taylor was dismissed by the club after a poor start to the [[2001–02 Leicester City F.C. season|2001–02 season]], and his successor [[Dave Bassett]] lasted just six months. Bassett was replaced by his assistant [[Micky Adams]] – the change of management being announced just before relegation was confirmed. Leicester won just five league matches all season.

[[File:PrWalkers 5.jpg|thumb|right|The East Stand, Walkers Stadium, pictured in 2007.]]

The club moved into the new 32,314-seat [[King Power Stadium|Walkers Stadium]] at the start of the [[2002–03 Leicester City F.C. season|2002–03 season]], ending 111 years at Filbert Street. [[Walkers (snack foods)|Walkers]], the Leicester-based [[Potato chip|crisp]] manufacturers, acquired the naming rights for a ten-year period.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://talkingballs.co.uk/showthread.php/2818-Questions-for-Mr-Davies?p=51973#post51973 |title=Statement by the Foxes Trust on an unofficial forum |publisher=Talkingballs.co.uk |date=24 November 2004 |access-date=31 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306154457/http://talkingballs.co.uk/showthread.php/2818-questions-for-mr-davies?p=51973#post51973 |archive-date=6 March 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}</ref> In October 2002, the club went into administration with debts of £30 million. The key attributing factors were the loss of TV money ([[ITV Digital]], itself in administration, had promised money to First Division clubs for TV rights), the large wage bill, lower-than-expected fees for players transferred to other clubs and the cost of building the new stadium.<ref>{{cite news |title=Leicester City put into administration |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/2349397.stm |url-status=live |publisher=BBC News |date=22 October 2002 |access-date=25 September 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040603130230/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/2349397.stm |archive-date=3 June 2004}}</ref> The manager, Micky Adams, was banned from the transfer market for most of the season, even after the club was rescued with a takeover by a Gary Lineker-led consortium.<ref name="An Indepth History of Leicester City"/> In the club's first season at the new stadium, they gained automatic promotion back to the Premier League (then known as the [[FA Barclaycard Premiership]]) with more than 90 points, recording only two home defeats throughout the campaign. However, Leicester were relegated in the following season ([[2003–04 FA Premier League|2003–04]]), to the newly labelled [[EFL Championship|Championship]] (previously known as Division One).

In September 2003, as a direct response to Leicester's promotion earlier that year, football authorities introduced new regulations aiming to prevent clubs from gaining a competitive sporting advantage through financial insolvency. This notably included the introduction of a points deduction for any club who enters administration in the future.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/sep/25/newsstory.sport14|title=League agrees administration penalty|first=Press|last=Association|date=25 September 2003|access-date=31 May 2026|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> In October 2004, Micky Adams resigned as manager, and [[Craig Levein]] was appointed as his replacement. The club parted company with Levein after 15 months in charge on 25 January 2006. Assistant manager [[Rob Kelly]] took over as [[caretaker manager]], and was subsequently appointed to see out the rest of the [[2005–06 Leicester City F.C. season|2005–06 season]], ater winning three out of his first four matches in charge. Kelly steered Leicester to safety and in April 2006, was given the manager's job on a permanent basis.<ref name="An Indepth History of Leicester City"/>

In October 2006, ex-[[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]] chairman [[Milan Mandarić]] was quoted as saying he was interested in buying the club, reportedly at a price of around £6 million, with the current playing squad valued at roughly £4.2 million. The takeover was formally announced on 13 February 2007.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6355687.stm|title=Mandarić seals Leicester takeover|date=13 February 2007|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=31 October 2013|archive-date=10 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410132223/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/6355687.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> On 11 April 2007, the club parted ways with Rob Kelly, and [[Nigel Worthington]] was appointed as caretaker manager until the end of the [[2006–07 Leicester City F.C. season|2006–07 season]]. Worthington saved the club from a first-ever relegation to the third tier, but was not offered the job on a permanent basis. On 25 May 2007, the club announced former [[Milton Keynes Dons F.C.|Milton Keynes Dons]] manager [[Martin Allen]] as their new manager on a three-year contract. Allen's relationship with Mandarić quickly became so fractured that after only four matches, he left the club by mutual consent on 29 August 2007. On 13 September 2007, Mandarić announced [[Gary Megson]] as Leicester's new manager, citing his "wealth of experience" as a deciding factor in the appointment. However, Megson left on 24 October 2007 after only six weeks in charge, following an approach made for his services by [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]]. Mandarić placed [[Frank Burrows]] and former player [[Gerry Taggart]] in the shared position as caretaker managers until a permanent manager was appointed.

On 22 November 2007, [[Ian Holloway]] was appointed as the club's new manager, and he became the first Leicester manager in over 50 years to win his first league match in charge.<ref name="The Independent 2007-11-26">{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/bristol-city-0-leicester-city-2-flexible-fleming-makes-successful-start-760531.html|title=Bristol City 0 Leicester City 2: 'Hollywood' Holloway makes successful start|last=Nickless|first=Graham|date=26 November 2007|work=The Independent|access-date=16 September 2009|location=London|archive-date=4 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204171953/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/bristol-city-0-leicester-city-2-hollywood-holloway-makes-successful-start-760531.html|url-status=live}}</ref> However, this proved to be an unsuccessful appointment, as Leicester were relegated from the Championship at the end of the [[2007–08 Leicester City F.C. season|2007–08 season]]. Holloway left by mutual consent after less than a season at the club, and was replaced by [[Nigel Pearson]].

===Rise back to Premier League and change of ownership (2008–2015)===

Following relegation, the [[2008–09 Leicester City F.C. season|2008–09 League One campaign]] was Leicester's first season outside the top two [[English football league system#Promotion and relegation rules for the top eight levels|levels of English football]], but they hit this nadir only seven years before becoming the [[2015–16 Premier League]] champions – one of the fastest ever rises to the top of the [[English football league system]].<ref name="538 Rise">{{cite web|last1=Roeder|first1=Oliver|title=Leicester City's Stunning Rise, In Two Charts|url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/leicester-citys-stunning-rise-in-two-charts/|website=FiveThirtyEight|access-date=7 May 2016|date=3 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507173129/http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/leicester-citys-stunning-rise-in-two-charts/|archive-date=7 May 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Leicester returned to the Championship at the first attempt in [[2008–09 Football League One|2008–09]], finishing as champions of [[EFL League One|League One]] after a 2–0 win at [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]], with two matches still to play. The [[2009–10 Leicester City F.C. season|2009–10 season]] saw Leicester's revival under manager Nigel Pearson continue. The club finished in 5th place and reached the [[EFL Championship play-offs|Championship play-offs]] in their first season back in the second tier. In the first leg match at home to Cardiff City, they lost 0–1. In the second leg match away from home, though coming from 2–0 down on aggregate to briefly lead 3–2, they eventually lost to a [[Penalty shootout (association football)|penalty shoot-out]]. At the end of the season, Pearson left Leicester to become the manager of [[Hull City A.F.C.|Hull City]], claiming he felt the club seemed reluctant to keep him, and citing that [[Paulo Sousa|Paulo Sousa's]] appearance at both play-off games hinted at a possible replacement. On 7 July 2010, Sousa was confirmed as Pearson's successor.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8793219.stm|title=Sousa confirmed as new Leicester boss|date=7 July 2010|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=31 October 2013|archive-date=10 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410132230/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8793219.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

In August 2010, after securing a three-year shirt sponsorship agreement with the Thai [[duty-free]] retailer [[King Power]], Mandarić sold the club to Asian Football Investments (AFI), a Thai-led consortium headed by King Power owner [[Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha]] (then known as Vichai Raksriaksorn) and his son, [[Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha|Aiyawatt]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8890815.stm|title=Thai consortium eyes deal to buy Leicester for £39m|publisher=BBC Sport|date=5 August 2010|access-date=31 October 2013|archive-date=10 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410132230/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8890815.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Mandarić, who remained an investor in AFI,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h96i-flVl-Zh-NQeBOoI1XoTi2tg|title=Thai group buys Leicester City|agency=Agence France-Presse|date=12 August 2010|access-date=12 August 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100815093225/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h96i-flVl-Zh-NQeBOoI1XoTi2tg|archive-date=15 August 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> continued to serve as the club's chairman.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8908211.stm|title=Thai-based consortium seal Leicester City deal|publisher=BBC Sport|date=12 August 2010|access-date=31 October 2013|archive-date=4 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204171952/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8908211.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 1 October 2010, after a poor start to the season which saw the club bottom of the Championship with only one win from their first nine league matches, Leicester parted company with [[Paulo Sousa]] with immediate effect.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9051656.stm|title=Leicester sack Paulo Sousa|publisher=BBC Sport|date=1 October 2010|access-date=31 October 2013|archive-date=10 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410132231/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9051656.stm|url-status=live}}</ref> Two days later on 3 October 2010, [[Sven-Göran Eriksson]], who had been approached by the club after a 6–1 defeat to bottom-of-the-table [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]] two weeks earlier, was appointed as Sousa's replacement on a two-year contract.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/9020826.stm |title=Portsmouth 6–1 Leicester |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 September 2010 |access-date=18 April 2021 |archive-date=24 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924095806/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/9020826.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leicester_city/9054516.stm |title=Sven-Goran Eriksson appointed Leicester City manager |publisher=BBC Sport |date=3 October 2010 |access-date=18 April 2021 |archive-date=12 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912065551/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leicester_city/9054516.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> On 10 February 2011, [[Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha]], representing the Thai-based Asian Football Investments (AFI) consortium, was appointed chairman of the club following Mandarić's departure in November 2010 to take over at [[Sheffield Wednesday]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9393953.stm|title=Vichai Raksriaksorn named Leicester City chairman|publisher=BBC Sport|date=10 February 2011|access-date=31 October 2013|archive-date=10 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200410132231/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9393953.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Leicester were viewed as one of the favourites for promotion in the [[2011–12 Leicester City F.C. season|2011–12 season]], but on 24 October 2011, following an inconsistent start with just 5 wins from the first 13 matches, Eriksson left the club by mutual consent.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sven-Goran Eriksson leaves his role as Leicester boss |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/15438896 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 October 2011 |access-date=31 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023184807/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/15438896 |archive-date=23 October 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> Three weeks later, on 15 November 2011, Nigel Pearson returned to the club as Eriksson's successor. Pearson would go on to lead Leicester to a 6th-place finish in the [[2012–13 Leicester City F.C. season|2012–13 season]], after guiding the club to a 5th-place finish four seasons earlier in 2009–10. Leicester won the first leg match against Watford 1–0, but were defeated 3–2 on aggregate over both matches. In the second leg at Vicarage Road, [[Manuel Almunia]] made a double save from an [[Anthony Knockaert]] late penalty, before [[Troy Deeney]] scored at the other end in dramatic fashion to send Watford to Wembley at Leicester's expense.<ref>{{cite news|title=Leicester City appoint Hull City's Nigel Pearson as boss|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/15621888|publisher=BBC Sport|date=15 November 2011|access-date=7 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220175437/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/15621888|archive-date=20 December 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

In May 2014, Leicester's march up the league system hit a breakthrough. The 2–1 home win over Sheffield Wednesday, combined with losses by [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]] and [[Derby County]], allowed Leicester City to clinch promotion to the Premier League after a ten-year absence. Later that month, a win at [[Bolton Wanderers]] saw Leicester become champions of the [[2013–14 Football League Championship|2013–14 Championship]], which was a joint-record 7th second-tier title. Upon conclusion of the season, chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha outlined his ambition for the club to achieve a top five finish in the Premier League within three years.<ref>{{cite web | title=Leicester City: Billionaire owner 'will spend £180m' to make top five | work=BBC Sport | date=13 May 2014 | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27387616 }}</ref>

Leicester started their first season back in the Premier League since 2004 with a 2–2 draw at home to Everton on the opening day.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28917059|title=Leicester City 1–1 Arsenal|author=Mike Whalley|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=12 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151214222116/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28917059|archive-date=14 December 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The club then claimed their first Premier League win since May 2004 four weeks later, on 13 September 2014, in a 1–0 away victory at Stoke City.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/29090535|title=Stoke City 0–1 Leicester City|author=Steve Canavan|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=12 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924212212/http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/29090535|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> On 21 September 2014, Leicester went on to produce one of the greatest comebacks in Premier League history, winning 5–3 against Manchester United at the [[King Power Stadium]]. The club made Premier League history by becoming the first team since the league's launch in 1992 to overcome Manchester United by a two-goal deficit.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29196081|title=Leicester City 5–3 Manchester United|author=Aimee Lewis|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=12 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150825063415/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29196081|archive-date=25 August 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

During the [[2014–15 Leicester City F.C. season|2014–15 season]], Leicester slipped to the bottom of the league table after picking up just 19 points from 29 matches. By 3 April 2015, they were seven points adrift from safety. This could have brought a sudden end to Leicester's seven-year rise up the league system, but seven wins from their final nine league matches ensured they finished the season in 14th place on 41 points. They concluded the season with a 5–1 win over relegated Queens Park Rangers on the final day, and Leicester's upturn in results was described as one of the Premier League's greatest ever escapes from relegation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/leicester-city-staying-up-incredible-5708532|title=The incredible run that secured Leicester City's Premier League survival|first=Liam|last=Corless|date=16 May 2015|work=The Mirror|access-date=4 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612144152/https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/leicester-city-staying-up-incredible-5708532|archive-date=12 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/sunderland-vs-leicester-city-reaction-foxes-secure-perhaps-the-greatest-escape-in-premier-league-10255964.html |title=Sunderland vs Leicester City reaction: Foxes secure perhaps the greatest escape in Premier League history |date=17 May 2015 |work=The Independent |access-date=2 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909005453/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/sunderland-vs-leicester-city-reaction-foxes-secure-perhaps-the-greatest-escape-in-premier-league-10255964.html |archive-date=9 September 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> They also became only the third team in Premier League history to survive after being bottom at [[Christmas]] (the other two being [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] in [[2004–05 FA Premier League|2005]] and [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]] in [[2013–14 Premier League|2014]]), and no team with fewer than 20 points from 29 matches had previously stayed up.

On 30 June 2015, the club took the surprise decision to part company with manager Nigel Pearson, after four years in charge. The decision was taken after Pearson's son, [[James Pearson (footballer, born 1993)|James Pearson]], was involved in a "racist sex tape" during a post-season goodwill tour in Thailand.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33339566 | title=Nigel Pearson: Leicester boss's sacking linked to son's actions | publisher=BBC Sport | date=1 July 2015 | access-date=1 July 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702220359/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33339566 | archive-date=2 July 2015 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lcfc.com/news/article/leicester-city-parts-company-with-nigel-pearson-2515428.aspx|title=Leicester City parts company with Nigel Pearson|publisher=Leicester City FC|date=30 June 2015|access-date=29 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630204446/http://www.lcfc.com/news/article/leicester-city-parts-company-with-nigel-pearson-2515428.aspx|archive-date=30 June 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Pearson's departure was also linked to a number of [[public relations]] issues involving him throughout the season. On 13 July 2015, the club appointed [[Claudio Ranieri]] as their new manager ahead of the 2015–16 Premier League season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Claudio Ranieri: Leicester City appoint ex-Chelsea manager|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33513290|publisher=BBC Sport|date=13 July 2015|access-date=29 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125130500/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33513290|archive-date=25 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite an initially sceptical reaction to Ranieri's appointment, Leicester made an exceptional start to the season.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33513290|title=Claudio Ranieri: Leicester City appoint ex-Chelsea manager|date=13 July 2015|access-date=19 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406043005/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33513290|archive-date=6 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Striker [[Jamie Vardy]] scored 13 goals over 11 consecutive matches from August to November, breaking the record held by [[Ruud van Nistelrooy]] of scoring in 11 consecutive Premier League matches.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34953098 |title=Jamie Vardy breaks record for goals in consecutive games |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |date=28 November 2015 |access-date=4 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208121149/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34953098 |archive-date=8 December 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 19 December 2015, Leicester defeated Everton 3–2 at [[Goodison Park]] to top the Premier League on Christmas Day, having been bottom of the table exactly 12 months earlier.<ref>{{cite web |last=Osborne |first=Chris |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35078549 |title=Everton 2–3 Leicester City |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |date=19 December 2015 |access-date=4 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225123747/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35078549 |archive-date=25 December 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===The club's most successful era (2016–2021)=== {{football squad on pitch|align=right | GK_nat = Denmark| GK = '''[[Kasper Schmeichel|Schmeichel]]''' | RB_nat = England| RB = '''[[Danny Simpson|Simpson]]''' | RCB_nat = Jamaica| RCB = '''[[Wes Morgan|Morgan]]''' ([[Captain (association football)|c]]) | LCB_nat = Germany| LCB = '''[[Robert Huth|Huth]]''' | LB_nat = Austria| LB = '''[[Christian Fuchs|Fuchs]]''' | RM_nat = Algeria| RM = '''[[Riyad Mahrez|Mahrez]]''' | RCM_nat = England| RCM = '''[[Danny Drinkwater|Drinkwater]]''' | LCM_nat = France| LCM = '''[[N'Golo Kanté|Kanté]]''' | RCF_nat = Japan| RCF = '''[[Shinji Okazaki|Okazaki]]''' | LM_nat = England| LM = '''[[Marc Albrighton|Albrighton]]''' | LCF_nat = England| LCF = '''[[Jamie Vardy|Vardy]]''' | caption = The usual starting line-up of the Premier League winning team<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.skysports.com/leicester-city-stats |title=Leicester city stats |publisher=Skysports.com |access-date=17 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504082323/http://www.skysports.com/leicester-city-stats |archive-date=4 May 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

The club qualified for the [[UEFA Champions League]] for the first time in their history on 10 April 2016, as a result of a 2–0 away win at [[Sunderland A.F.C|Sunderland]] and Tottenham Hotspur's 3–0 win over Manchester United.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Clark|first1=Gill|title=Leicester qualify for Champions League|url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2016/04/10/22223602/leicester-qualify-for-champions-league|access-date=10 April 2016|work=Goal.com|ref=CL qual|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504011004/http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2016/04/10/22223602/leicester-qualify-for-champions-league|archive-date=4 May 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[2016–17 UEFA Champions League|2016–17 Champions League]] campaign would also be the club's first season in European football for 15 years.

On 2 May 2016, Leicester City won the Premier League, after [[Chelsea F.C|Chelsea]] came from two goals down at Stamford Bridge to draw 2–2 with [[Tottenham Hotspur]], in a match that was labelled "[[Chelsea F.C.–Tottenham Hotspur F.C. rivalry#2016: 'Battle of the Bridge'|The Battle Of The Bridge]]."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35988673|title=Leicester City win Premier League title after Tottenham draw at Chelsea|author=|date=2 May 2016|access-date=2 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502223012/http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35988673|archive-date=2 May 2016|url-status=live|work=BBC Sport}}</ref><ref name="AL">{{cite news|last1=Lawrence|first1=Amy|title=Leicester celebrate first title after Chelsea recover for Tottenham draw|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/may/02/chelsea-tottenham-hotspur-premier-league-match-report|access-date=2 May 2016|work=The Guardian|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505163403/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/may/02/chelsea-tottenham-hotspur-premier-league-match-report|archive-date=5 May 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Bookmaker]]s thought Leicester's title win was so unlikely that [[Ladbrokes]] and [[William Hill (bookmaker)|William Hill]] offered odds of 5,000–1 for it at the start of the season, which subsequently resulted in the largest payout in British sporting history, with total winnings of £25 million.<ref name="WillHill">{{cite news|url=http://www.itv.com/news/central/2016-05-02/bookies-set-to-hand-over-15m-if-leicester-win-title/|title=Bookies set to hand over £15m if Leicester win title|publisher=ITV News|date=2 May 2016|access-date=3 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602225204/http://www.itv.com/news/central/2016-05-02/bookies-set-to-hand-over-15m-if-leicester-win-title/|archive-date=2 June 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="TelegraphBookies">{{cite news|last1=Rayner|first1=Gordon|last2=Brown|first2=Oliver|title=Leicester City win Premier League and cost bookies biggest ever payout|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/02/leicester-city-win-premier-league-and-cost-bookies-biggest-ever/|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=2 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503100437/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/02/leicester-city-win-premier-league-and-cost-bookies-biggest-ever/|archive-date=3 May 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Liabilities">{{cite news|last1=Wood|first1=Greg|title=The 5,000-1 payouts on Leicester only tell part of Premier League betting story|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/may/03/5000-1-outsider-leicester-city-bookmakers|access-date=6 May 2016|work=The Guardian|date=3 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506053223/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/may/03/5000-1-outsider-leicester-city-bookmakers|archive-date=6 May 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Multiple newspapers described Leicester's title success as the greatest sporting shock ever; a number of bookmakers (including Ladbrokes and William Hill) had never paid out at such long odds for any sport.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/05/03/leicester-citys-football-fairytale-touches-us-all/|title=Leicester City's football fairytale touches us all|access-date=4 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417154611/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/05/03/leicester-citys-football-fairytale-touches-us-all/|archive-date=17 April 2018|url-status=live|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=3 May 2016|last1=Hayward|first1=Paul}}</ref><ref name="SL upset">{{cite news|title=Sport's greatest-ever upset|url=http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/article/165/10266888/leicesters-premier-league-triumph-considered-the-greatest-ever-sporting-upset|access-date=3 May 2016|work=Sporting Life|date=2 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503123546/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/article/165/10266888/leicesters-premier-league-triumph-considered-the-greatest-ever-sporting-upset|archive-date=3 May 2016}}</ref><ref name="ESPN long shot">{{cite news|last1=Markazi|first1=Arash|title=How longest of long shots could make history|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/14759409/why-leicester-city-become-biggest-long-shot-champion-sports-history|access-date=3 May 2016|work=ESPN|date=12 February 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503041117/http://espn.go.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/14759409/why-leicester-city-become-biggest-long-shot-champion-sports-history|archive-date=3 May 2016}}</ref> The scale of the surprise title victory attracted global attention for the club and the city of Leicester.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Hinshelwood|first1=Colin|title=Thailand Cheers as Far-away Leicester City Clinches Unlikely Soccer Title|url=https://time.com/4314711/leicester-city-chelsea-football-club-tottenham-hotspur-fc/|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|access-date=2 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503011819/http://time.com/4314711/leicester-city-chelsea-football-club-tottenham-hotspur-fc/|archive-date=3 May 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[The Economist]]'' declared it would be "pored over for management lessons."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.economist.com/news/business-and-finance/21698059-leicester-city-management-lessons |title=The success of Leicester City will be pored over for management lessons |newspaper=The Economist |date=7 May 2016 |access-date=4 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503123814/http://www.economist.com/news/business-and-finance/21698059-leicester-city-management-lessons |archive-date=3 May 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> Several commentators viewed it as transformative to the expectations faced by clubs outside of the league's traditional '[[Big Six (Premier League)|Big Six]].'<ref name="BS hope">{{cite news|last1=Sharma|first1=Aabhas|title=Leicester City: The champions who were never meant to be|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/leicester-city-the-champions-who-were-never-meant-to-be-116050300434_1.html|access-date=3 May 2016|date=3 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506020635/http://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/leicester-city-the-champions-who-were-never-meant-to-be-116050300434_1.html|archive-date=6 May 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> On 16 May 2016, over 240,000 supporters lined the streets of Leicester to celebrate the club's historic title win.<ref>{{cite web | title=Leicester City parade: Thousands gather to celebrate Premier League title win | work=BBC News | date=15 May 2016 | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-36286744#:~:text=More%20than%20240%2C000%20people%20lined,the%20stage%20at%20Victoria%20Park }}</ref>

During the 2015–16 campaign, Leicester became known for their counterattacking style of play, "incredible pace in the areas it is most essential" and defensive solidity.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/12/21/return-4-4-2-non-striking-strikers-keepers-can-play-tactical/|title=The return of 4–4–2, non-striking strikers and keepers who can play: The tactical trends of 2016|author=JJ Bull|date=21 December 2016|access-date=21 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222090943/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/12/21/return-4-4-2-non-striking-strikers-keepers-can-play-tactical/|archive-date=22 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Former manager Nigel Pearson was widely credited as having laid the foundations for Leicester's major success.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/may/09/leicester-city-fans-verdict-nigel-pearson-claudio-ranieri|title=Nigel Pearson verdict|author=Chris Whiting|date=9 May 2016|access-date=9 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225223751/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/may/09/leicester-city-fans-verdict-nigel-pearson-claudio-ranieri|archive-date=25 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In reaction to the title triumph, executive chairman of the Premier League [[Richard Scudamore]] said:

{{cquote|"If this was a once in every 5,000-year event, then we've effectively got another 5,000 years of hope ahead of us."}}

Leicester, while performing well in the UEFA Champions League, struggled domestically during [[2016–17 Leicester City F.C. season|2016–17]], spending much of the first few months in the bottom half of the Premier League table. In December 2016, Ranieri was awarded [[BBC Sports Personality of the Year Coach Award|coach of the year]], and Leicester were awarded [[BBC Sports Personality Team of the Year Award|team of the year]], at the [[BBC Sports Personality of the Year]] awards.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37063137|title=Sports Personality 2016: Leicester win Team of the Year, Claudio Ranieri top coach|publisher=BBC Sport|date=20 December 2016|access-date=20 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816025646/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37063137|archive-date=16 August 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> However, on 23 February 2017, Ranieri was controversially dismissed by the club, due to the team's continuing poor form which resulted in them being only one point above the relegation zone. Ranieri's departure was met with significant upset and anger from sections of the media, with famous former player Gary Lineker calling it "very sad" and "inexplicable",<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39072867|title=Claudio Ranieri: Leicester manager sacking made Gary Lineker 'shed a tear'|date=24 February 2017|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=12 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212035636/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39072867|archive-date=12 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> while Manchester United manager [[José Mourinho]] blamed it on "selfish players".<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Rumours began emerging some days later that players had been meeting with the owners to discuss the removal of Ranieri without him knowing, which sparked widespread outrage over social media, but these claims were never proven.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/gossip|title=Football transfer gossip: Barkley, Vermaelen, Mahrez, Neymar, Sanchez|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=12 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212033134/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/gossip|archive-date=12 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Craig Shakespeare]] took over as caretaker manager, and in his first match in charge, he led Leicester to a 3–1 victory over 5th place Liverpool.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39024318|title=Leicester City 3–1 Liverpool|date=27 February 2017|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=12 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171124050252/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39024318|archive-date=24 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In his second match as caretaker, Shakespeare led Leicester to another 3–1 victory, this time over Hull City.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39086672|title=Leicester City 3–1 Hull City|date=4 March 2017|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=12 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141335/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39086672|archive-date=12 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Following these two results, it was decided on 12 March 2017 that Shakespeare would become manager until the end of the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lcfc.com/news/article/2016-17/craig-shakespeare-lcfc-interim-manager-takes-charge-until-the-end-of-the-season-3619260.aspx|title=Craig Shakespeare Takes Charge of Leicester City Until The end of the Season|publisher=Leicester City F.C.|date=12 March 2017|access-date=15 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313130844/http://www.lcfc.com/news/article/2016-17/craig-shakespeare-lcfc-interim-manager-takes-charge-until-the-end-of-the-season-3619260.aspx|archive-date=13 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

Leicester were placed in [[2016–17 UEFA Champions League group stage#Group G|Group G]] of the [[2016–17 UEFA Champions League]], alongside [[FC Porto|Porto]], [[F.C. Copenhagen|Copenhagen]] and [[Club Brugge KV|Club Brugge]]. In their inaugural Champions League campaign, they went undefeated in their first five matches to progress to the knockout stages as group winners.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/champions-league-table/2016 |title=Champions league table & Standings |publisher=[[Sky Sports]] |access-date=18 April 2021 |archive-date=18 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418161954/https://www.skysports.com/champions-league-table/2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Leicester then faced [[La Liga]] club [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]] in the [[2016–17 UEFA Champions League knockout phase#Round of 16|round of 16]] and were defeated 2–1 in the first leg at the [[Vicente Calderon Stadium]]. In the second leg at the King Power Stadium, Leicester won 2–0 on the night, and 3–2 on aggregate, to advance to the [[2016–17 UEFA Champions League knockout phase#Quarter-finals|quarter-finals]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39275115|title=Leicester reach Champions League quarter-finals and threaten to defy logic again|date=15 March 2017|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=12 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012195622/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39275115|archive-date=12 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> They then faced [[Atlético Madrid]], and lost 1–0 away in the first leg, before drawing 1–1 at home in the second leg. This put an end to Leicester's first European campaign in 15 years, after losing 2–1 on aggregate, exiting the competition as quarter-finalists.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39611647|title=Leicester City 1–1 Atlético Madrid|date=18 April 2017|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=12 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307165827/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39611647|archive-date=7 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Leicester did however, maintain an unbeaten home record throughout their 2016–17 UEFA Champions League campaign.

Craig Shakespeare, having impressed during his caretaker spell, was appointed full-time on a three-year contract.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40204320 |title=Craig Shakespeare: Leicester City caretaker named permanent manager |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 June 2017 |access-date=2 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402184410/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40204320 |archive-date=2 April 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> However, following a poor start to the season, he was dismissed as manager in October 2017 after four months officially in charge, with Leicester in 18th place in the table.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41656917|title=Craig Shakespeare: Leicester City sack manager four months after appointment|date=17 October 2017|access-date=17 October 2017|publisher=BBC Sport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019133342/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41656917|archive-date=19 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> He was subsequently replaced by [[Claude Puel]] on 25 October 2017. By Christmas, Leicester were in 8th place in the Premier League and finished 9th at the end of the season. On 21 February 2018, it was widely reported that the club had reached a settlement with the English Football League, to pay £3.1 million for a [[Financial Fair Play]] (FFP) dispute relating to the [[2013–14 Leicester City F.C. season|2013–14 season]]. The EFL stated that Leicester "did not make any deliberate attempt to infringe the rules or to deceive, and that the dispute arose out of genuine differences of interpretation of the rules between the parties."<ref>{{cite web | title=Leicester City to pay Football League £3.1m to settle Financial Fair Play dispute | work=BBC Sport | date=21 February 2018 | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43146018#:~:text=Leicester%20City%20will%20pay%20the,loss%20when%20they%20won%20promotion }}</ref>

On 27 October 2018, following a home match against [[West Ham United]], a [[Leonardo AW169]] helicopter carrying chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and four others [[2018 Leicester helicopter crash|malfunctioned and crashed]] outside the club's stadium. This happened shortly after takeoff from the pitch, and all five people on board the helicopter died. One year later, The Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Memorial Garden opened on 27 October 2019, before The Khun Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Statue was unveiled on 4 April 2022, which would have been Srivaddhanaprabha's 64th birthday.<ref>{{cite news |title=Leicester City owner's helicopter crashes |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-46006470 |url-status=live |publisher=BBC News |date=27 October 2018 |access-date=27 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028000514/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-46006470 |archive-date=28 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Leicester City confirm chairman's death |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leicestershire-46013381 |url-status=live |publisher=BBC News |date=28 October 2018 |access-date=28 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029214504/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leicestershire-46013381 |archive-date=29 October 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Blackwell |first=Jordan |title=Leicester City unveil Vichai statue in ceremony at King Power Stadium |url=https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/leicester-statue-vichai-king-power-6903091 |website=LeicestershireLive |date=4 April 2022 |access-date=26 July 2022}}</ref>

[[File:Brendan Rodgers 2021 (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|[[Brendan Rodgers]]]]

During the early months of 2019, Leicester went on a seven match winless run, which included four successive home defeats. Following a 1–4 home defeat to [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]], the club parted company with manager Claude Puel on 24 February 2019, with the club in 12th place.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lcfc.com/news/1062948/claude-puel-leaves-leicester-city/press-release |title=Claude Puel Leaves Leicester City |access-date=24 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224173813/https://www.lcfc.com/news/1062948/claude-puel-leaves-leicester-city/press-release |archive-date=24 February 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Former Liverpool manager [[Brendan Rodgers]] was appointed as his replacement, and the club finished the season again in 9th place.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47368712|title=Brendan Rodgers: Leicester City appoint former Celtic boss as manager|date=26 February 2019|access-date=26 February 2019|publisher=BBC Sport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226190303/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47368712|archive-date=26 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[2019–20 Premier League|2019–20 season]] under Rodgers started with the team picking up 38 points from their first 16 matches, which included a record eight-match winning streak from 19 October to 8 December 2019. On 25 October 2019, Leicester recorded a [[Southampton F.C. 0–9 Leicester City F.C.|0–9 away win]] at [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]], the [[List of highest-scoring Premier League games|joint-largest win in Premier League history]] and the [[Football records and statistics in England|largest away win in English top-flight history]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Premier League: Ruthless Leicester City rout Southampton 9–0 to notch joint biggest away win in league history |url=https://www.firstpost.com/sports/premier-league-ruthless-leicester-city-rout-southampton-9-0-to-continue-solid-start-to-season-7558001.html |url-status=live |date=26 October 2019 |access-date=26 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026055013/https://www.firstpost.com/sports/premier-league-ruthless-leicester-city-rout-southampton-9-0-to-continue-solid-start-to-season-7558001.html |archive-date=26 October 2019}}</ref> During the same season, the club reached the semi-final stage of the League Cup but lost out to [[Aston Villa]] over two legs.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51035301 |title=Late Trezeguet goal sends Villa into final |publisher=BBC Sport|author-first1=Phil|author-last1=McNulty|date=28 January 2020}}</ref> Despite competing in the top four for most of the season, Leicester suffered a drop-off in form at the end of the season, winning only two of their nine games following the resumption of play due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in England|coronavirus pandemic]]. Three defeats in their last four matches saw them slide into 5th place, which was the club's second-highest Premier League finish in their history, ensuring them a place in the [[UEFA Europa League]] for the following season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/leicester-man-united-fernandes-chelsea-4365570 |title=Leicester 0–2 Man Utd – report and reaction as Foxes miss out |date=26 July 2020 |access-date=27 July 2020 |archive-date=27 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727132953/https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/leicester-man-united-fernandes-chelsea-4365570 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The club's finances were heavily impacted by the [[COVID-19 pandemic|COVID pandemic]], with the parent company King Power International Group being in the travel retail sector.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/revealed-full-cost-covid-19-6673798 |title=The full cost of COVID-19 on Leicester City's finances |website=Leicester Mercury |date=17 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.business-live.co.uk/retail-consumer/leicester-citys-thai-owners-standing-23120638 |title=Leicester City's Thai owners standing firm behind club after revealing full extent of Covid losses|website=Business-live.co.uk| date=17 February 2022}}</ref> Despite this, the club spent £57 million on transfer fees in the summer of 2020, which came in at a net spend of £10 million, with £46 million generated from player sales.<ref>{{cite web | title=The money each Premier League club spent and received during transfer window | date=6 October 2020 | url=https://talksport.com/football/769494/premier-league-clubs-transfers-spent-2020-summer-window-chelsea-everton-arsenal-news/ }}</ref> In December 2020, the club moved to a new £100m state-of-the-art training facility.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11712/12173274/brendan-rodgers-believes-leicester-citys-new-training-ground-can-help-attract-elite-players|title=Brendan Rodgers believes Leicester City's new training ground can help attract elite players|access-date=31 May 2026}}</ref> Leicester finished in 5th place again in the [[2020–21 Premier League]] season, and therefore qualified for the UEFA Europa League for the second consecutive year. On 15 May 2021, Leicester City won the FA Cup for the first time, having lost four previous finals in [[1949 FA Cup final|1949]], [[1961 FA Cup final|1961]], [[1963 FA Cup final|1963]] and 1969, securing a second major trophy in the space of five years. [[Youri Tielemans]] scored the only goal against Chelsea at [[Wembley Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37617242/leicester-fa-cup-final-dreams-come-true-chelsea-fall-short-wembley |title=Leicester's FA Cup final dreams come true as Chelsea fall short at Wembley |access-date=15 May 2020 |archive-date=15 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515202454/https://www.espn.com/soccer/english-fa-cup/story/4385603/leicesters-fa-cup-final-dreams-come-true-as-chelsea-fall-short-at-wembley |url-status=live}}</ref> The club subsequently became the 6th most successful team in [[English football]] since the turn of the century, as one of only five clubs to have won all three major domestic trophies since 2000.<ref name="HistoryHonoursMen"/>

===Post-success and downfall (2021–present)===

During the 2021 summer transfer window, Leicester again spent more than £50 million on new signings, but this time did not sell any key players for high profit, which went against the club's model from previous years. The summer of 2021 dramatically increased Leicester's wages-to-turnover ratio, but the club subsequently failed to qualify for European football in the Premier League season which followed ([[2021–22 Premier League|2021–22]]), finishing in 8th place.<ref name="FCHD">{{cite news |title=Leicester City |url=https://www.fchd.info/LEICESTC.HTM |access-date=1 September 2023 |publisher=Football Club History Database}}</ref> On 7 August 2021, Leicester won the [[2021 FA Community Shield|FA Community Shield]] for the second time in their history.<ref>{{cite news |title=Leicester beat Man City to win Community Shield |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58036460 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> In their [[2021–22 UEFA Europa League]] campaign, Leicester came third in their group and were transferred to the newly established [[UEFA Europa Conference League]]. They went on to reach their first European semi-final, losing out to eventual winners [[AS Roma]] over two legs.<ref>{{cite news |title=Leicester miss out on Conference League final |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61323885 |access-date=13 June 2023}}</ref> Leicester's spending during the 2022 summer transfer window was heavily restricted, amid concerns over breaching [[Financial Fair Play]] regulations.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2024/03/22/how-leicester-city-spending-rules-psr-points-premier-league/ | title=How Leicester City's magic carpet ride spiralled into a spending rules nightmare | newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] | date=22 March 2024 | last1=Percy | first1=John }}</ref> At the same time however, the club were reportedly prioritising investment in infrastructure, to better compete with the Premier League's 'Big Six' in the long term.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/explained-what-leicester-citys-finances-8230295 |title=Leicester Mercury – What Leicester City's finances mean for summer transfers and James Maddison |website=Leicestermercury.co.uk| date=8 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://foxesofleicester.com/2022/08/03/nightmarish-window-leicester-city/ |title=A nightmarish transfer window for Leicester City|website=Foxesofleicester.com |date=3 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11712/12669775/leicester-transfers-owners-investing-in-infrastructure-to-close-the-gap-on-the-big-six-in-the-long-term |title=Owners investing in infrastructure to close the gap on the 'big six' in the long term |work=Sky Sports }}</ref>

Brendan Rodgers left the club on 2 April 2023, after four years in charge, with ten games remaining and the team in the relegation zone.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lcfc.com/news/3132704/lcfc-statement-brendan-rodgers?lang=en |title=LCFC Statement – Brendan Rodgers |website=Lcfc.com}}</ref> [[Dean Smith (footballer, born 1971)|Dean Smith]] was appointed as his replacement until the end of the season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lcfc.com/news/3145724/leicester-city-appoint-dean-smith?lang=en |title=Leicester City Appoint Dean Smith |website=Lcfc.com}}</ref> On 28 May 2023, despite a 2–1 home win over [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]], Leicester City were relegated as a consequence of Everton's 1–0 home victory over [[AFC Bournemouth]].<ref name="Hafez2023">{{cite news |last = Hafez |first = Shamoon |date = 28 May 2023 |title = Leicester City 2–1 West Ham: Foxes relegated from Premier League |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65661852 |publisher = BBC Sport |access-date = 2 August 2025 }}</ref> The club went down with the highest ever squad value and wage bill outside of the Premier League's traditional 'big-six' clubs, and the [[2022–23 Premier League|2022–23 season]] ended the club's nine-year stint in the Premier League.<ref name="Percy2024">{{cite web | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2024/04/02/leicester-city-psr-premier-league-championship-finances/ | title=Leicester City facing new PSR concerns after posting huge £89.7m losses | work=The Telegraph | date=2 April 2024 | last1=Percy | first1=John }}</ref> This made Leicester only the second former Premier League champions to be relegated from the league since it began in [[1992–93 FA Premier League|1992–93]], following Blackburn Rovers in [[1998–99 FA Premier League|1998–99]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/05/27/football/leicester-city-leeds-everton-premier-league-relegation-battle-spt-intl/index.html|title=Premier League: Everton avoids relegation on dramatic final day as Leicester City and Leeds United drop down to Championship |work=[[CNN]]|date=28 May 2023}}</ref>

[[File:Leicester City champions parade 2024.jpg|thumb|right|Leicester were promoted back to the Premier League in 2024.]] On 16 June 2023, [[Enzo Maresca]] was appointed as the club's new manager ahead of the [[2023–24 EFL Championship]] season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lcfc.com/news/3540588/lcfc-appoint-maresca-as-manager?lang=en |title=LCFC Appoint Maresca As Manager |publisher=Leicester City FC |date=16 June 2023 |access-date=31 October 2023}}</ref> During this record-breaking campaign, Leicester made their best start to a league season, and the best start since the league became known as the Championship in [[2004–05 Football League Championship|2004–05]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lcfc.com/news/3746079/recordbreaking-foxes-seal-swans-win/featured?lang=en |title=Record-Breaking Foxes Seal Swans Win |publisher=Leicester City FC |date=21 October 2023 |access-date=31 October 2023}}</ref><ref name="theanalyst.com">{{cite web | title=Leicester's Lightning Start Gives Hope for Rapid Premier League Return | date=19 October 2023 | url=https://theanalyst.com/articles/leicester-city-lightning-start-championship }}</ref> The club went on to gain promotion back to the Premier League as champions at the first attempt, registering 31 wins, 4 draws and 11 defeats.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c3gl7p1pvqpt |title=Preston North End 0–3 Leicester City |last=Aloia |first=Andrew |website=BBC Sport |date=29 April 2024 |access-date=29 April 2024}}</ref> This was also Leicester's 8th second-tier title which is currently a record for the division.<ref name="EFL2T">{{cite news |url=https://www.lcfc.com/news/3989664/city-clinch-record-eighth-second-tier-title-at-preston/featured?lang=en |title=City Clinch Record Eighth Second Tier Title At Preston |website=Leicester City FC |date=29 April 2024 |access-date=29 April 2024}}</ref>

In March 2024, the club were referred to an independent commission by the Premier League over an alleged breach of Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) for the [[2022–23 Premier League|2022–23 season]]. In September 2024, the club successfully appealed the PSR case relating to the 2022–23 season, arguing the Premier League did not lawfully have jurisdiction to apply any sanction, after ceasing to become a member of the league at the end of the season.<ref>{{cite web | title=Premier League statement | date=3 September 2024 | url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/4106719 }}</ref> On 3 June 2024, Enzo Maresca left the club to join Chelsea ahead of the [[2024–25 Premier League]] season. Leicester appointed [[Steve Cooper (football manager)|Steve Cooper]] as his replacement on 20 June 2024, but the club parted company with Cooper after five months on 25 November 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hynter |first=David |date=3 June 2024 |title='A dream': Enzo Maresca appointed Chelsea head coach on five-year deal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/jun/03/chelsea-confirm-enzo-maresca-appointment-head-coach |access-date=7 April 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=20 June 2024 |title=Cooper appointed Leicester manager |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/ckvvwxj881yo |access-date=7 April 2025 |work=[[BBC Sport]] |publisher=[[BBC]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=25 November 2024 |title=Steve Cooper: Leicester sack manager after just five months in charge |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11712/13260055/steve-cooper-leicester-sack-manager-after-just-five-months-in-charge |access-date=7 April 2025 |work=[[Sky Sports]] |publisher=[[Sky Group]]}}</ref> Five days later on 29 November 2024, [[Ruud van Nistelrooy]] was named as Leicester's new manager.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 November 2024 |title=Leicester confirm appointment of Ruud van Nistelrooy as manager |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/nov/29/leicester-confirm-ruud-van-nistelrooy-manager-appointment |access-date=7 April 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>

On 20 April 2025, the club was relegated from the Premier League for the second time in three years, with five matches remaining in the season.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c70584ql70rt | title=Leicester City 0–1 Liverpool: Foxes relegated by Alexander-Arnold Liverpool winner |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> On 20 May 2025, Leicester were charged by the Premier League with three separate breaches of PSR rules.<ref>{{cite web | title=Leicester City referred to commission by Premier League over alleged EFL financial breaches | date=20 May 2025 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cnv113m0n4qo |first1=Nick |last1=Mashiter |first2=Mandeep |last2=Sanghera |work=BBC Sport |access-date=31 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11712/13371356/leicester-city-charged-by-premier-league-over-alleged-breaches-of-efls-financial-rules-for-2023-24-season |title=Leicester City charged by Premier League over alleged breaches of EFL's financial rules for 2023/24 season |work=Sky Sports |date=20 May 2025 |access-date=31 July 2025}}</ref> On 27 June 2025, the club terminated van Nistelrooy's contract with immediate effect.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lcfc.com/pages/en/media-article/ruud-van-nistelrooy-first-team-manager-and-leicester-city-agree-to-part-ways |title=Ruud Van Nistelrooy: First Team Manager And Leicester City Agree To Part Ways |publisher=Leicester City F.C. |date=27 June 2025 |access-date=31 July 2025}}</ref> On 15 July 2025, the club appointed [[Martí Cifuentes]] as manager on a three-year contract.<ref name="NewManagerMarti">{{Cite web |date=15 July 2025 |title=Leicester City Appoint Martí Cifuentes As Manager |url=https://www.lcfc.com/pages/en/media-article/leicester-city-appoint-marti-cifuentes-lcfc-new-manager |publisher=Leicester City F.C. |access-date=2 August 2025}}</ref>

On 2 October 2025, it was announced that [[Susan Whelan (executive)|Susan Whelan]] had stepped down as CEO at the club after 15 years, following "a mutual decision" with owner and chairman [[Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Blackwell |first=Jordan |date=2 October 2025 |title=Breaking: Leicester City chief executive Susan Whelan to step down after 15 years |url=https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/breaking-leicester-city-chief-executive-10544019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20251003101717/https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/breaking-leicester-city-chief-executive-10544019?int_source=nba |archive-date=3 October 2025 |access-date=3 October 2025 |work=[[Leicestershire Live]]}}</ref> On 14 November 2025, it was reported that the club would be overhauling its football operations, including the appointment of a Technical Director for the first time. The club announced the appointment of Kamonthip Netthanomsak as Interim Managing Director on the same day.<ref name="The Telegraph">{{cite web | last1=Percy | first1=John | title=Leicester director of football Jon Rudkin to move 'upstairs' in major overhaul | work=The Telegraph | date=14 November 2025 | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2025/11/14/leicester-director-john-rudkin-move-upstairs-major-overhaul/ }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last1=Tanner | first1=Rob | title=Leicester City chairman Khun Top pledges to rebuild connection with club's fans | work=The New York Times | date=14 November 2025 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6807576/2025/11/14/leicester-city-chairman-khun-top-fan-connection/ }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lcfc.com/media-article/kamonthip-netthanomsa-interim-managing-director-leicester-city-lcfc|title=Interim Managing Director Appointed|website=Lcfc.com}}</ref> On 25 January 2026, the club announced that it had parted company with manager [[Marti Cifuentes]], which was the third managerial change in the space of 14 months.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lcfc.com/media-article/leicester-city-lcfc-statement-marti-cifuentes-manager|title=Leicester City Statement: Martí Cifuentes|website=Lcfc.com}}</ref> At this time, Srivaddhanaprabha conducted several media interviews for the first time since the club's title success of 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-27 |title=Khun Top: Listen to the full BBC Radio Leicester interview with Leicester City's owner |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/crlepxyer74o |access-date=2026-05-01 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Dorsett |first=Rob |date=27 January 2026 |title=Leicester City: Club owner speaks for first time in 10 years on Premier League title, father's legacy and struggles returning to top |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11712/13499286/leicester-city-club-owner-speaks-for-first-time-in-10-years-on-premier-league-title-fathers-legacy-and-struggles-returning-to-top |access-date=1 May 2026 |work=Sky Sports}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2026/01/27/leicester-owner-interview-selling-club-not-an-option/ |last=Percy |first=John |date=27 January 2026 |title=Leicester owner: Selling the club is not an option, I want to continue my father's work |access-date=2026-05-01 |website=The Telegraph}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Tanner |first=Rob |date=2026-01-27 |title=Leicester City's Khun Top: 'The players need support from the fans, big time. Nobody wants to see us in League One' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6999463/2026/01/27/khun-top-leicester-city-interview/ |access-date=2026-05-01 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

On 5 February 2026, it was announced that the club had been hit with a six-point deduction for breaching the EFL's profit and sustainability rules by £20.8 million, over the three-year period up to and including the [[2023–24 EFL Championship|2023–24 season]]. Leicester were also found to have been in breach of Premier League rules by not providing their annual accounts to the league by the specified deadline. This consequently moved the club's league position down from 17th to 20th place in the [[2025–26 EFL Championship]], which put them above the relegation zone only on goal difference.<ref>{{cite news |title=Leicester docked six points for financial breaches |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c5y31xk1zx0o |access-date=10 February 2026 |work=BBC Sport |date=5 February 2026}}</ref> In the three years leading up to 30 June 2024, Leicester made combined losses of more than £200 million, exceeding the maximum limit of £81 million in losses over a three-year rolling period.<ref name="The Telegraph"/>

The PSR case against Leicester and subsequent points deduction, although officially enacted by the English Football League, was initiated by the Premier League in May 2025, with the independent commission handling the case also appointed by the Premier League. This was therefore the first time ever that a sporting sanction had been imposed by the EFL on behalf of the Premier League, following a rule change which previously allowed the club to win a legal challenge relating to a separate alleged PSR breach in the [[2022–23 Premier League|2022–23 season]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13474908/leicester|title=Leicester face hearing on potential points deduction after alleged breaches of Premier League profit and sustainability rules|website=Sky Sports|access-date=31 May 2026}}</ref> On 18 February 2026, [[Gary Rowett]] was announced as the club's new manager on a short-term contract until the end of the [[2025–26 EFL Championship|2025–26 season]].<ref name="lcfc.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.lcfc.com/media-article/gary-rowett-leicester-city-new-manager-lcfc-press-release|title=Gary Rowett: Leicester City Appoint New Manager Until The End Of The Season|website=Lcfc.com}}</ref> On 19 February 2026, it was announced that both Leicester City and the Premier League had officially lodged appeals against the recent six point deduction.<ref>{{cite news |title=Leicester appeal against six-point deduction |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c875pw205glo |access-date=19 February 2026 |work=BBC Sport |date=19 February 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-02-19 |title=Premier League Statement |url=https://www.premierleague.com/en/news/4592634/premier-league-statement |access-date=2026-02-20 |website=Premierleague.com }}</ref>

On 3 March 2026, the club announced a "new executive leadership structure", which included the appointments of Kevin Davies as Chief Executive Officer, James McCarron as Sporting Director, and Russell Jones as Commercial Director. Jon Rudkin, the existing Director of Football, was appointed to the role of Chief Football Officer. The club's statement also confirmed Interim Managing Director Kamonthip Netthanomsak would continue in her role, and that recruitment for a new Finance Director was underway, a role held by Kevin Davies (the newly appointed CEO) since May 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lcfc.com/media-article/leicester-city-lcfc-leadership-structure-kevin-davies-jon-rudkin-james-mccarron-kamonthip-netthanomsak-russell-jones|title=Leicester City Confirm Evolved Leadership Structure|website=Lcfc.com}}</ref> On 8 April 2026, it was announced that both the Premier League and Leicester City were unsuccessful in their appeals against the six point deduction, which was handed to the club on 5 February 2026.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.premierleague.com/en/news/4624942/premier-league-statement-appeal-decision-on-leicester-city-080426|title=Premier League Statement: Appeal decision|date=8 April 2026|website=Premierleague.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lcfc.com/media-article/leicester-city-lcfc-statement-8-april-2026|title=LCFC Statement: Appeal Board Decision|website=Lcfc.com}}</ref>

On 21 April 2026, following a 2–2 draw at home to [[Hull City A.F.C.|Hull City]], Leicester were relegated to [[2026–27 EFL League One|EFL League One]], the third level of the [[English football league system]], for only the second time in their history with two matches remaining in the season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/apr/21/leicester-hull-championship-match-report|title=Leicester relegated to League One, 10 years on from Premier League triumph|publisher=[[The Guardian]]|date=April 21, 2026|access-date=April 21, 2026}}</ref> The club's player wage bill was the highest to ever get relegated from the second tier of English football. They became one of five clubs to suffer back-to-back relegations in the Premier League era, and [[2025–26 EFL Championship|2025–26]] was the club's lowest ever points return (46 points) and lowest ever final league position (23rd) in the Championship era.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cx29zwlnkpko|title=Leicester 'face £70m black hole' after disastrous spending gamble|first=Dale|last=Johnson|date=23 April 2026|website=BBC Sport}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cz6y6jy1xdwo|title=Leicester City: How did we get here and what does points deduction mean for Championship club?|first=Dale|last=Johnson|date=6 February 2026|website=BBC Sport}}</ref> During the course of the season, Leicester also went 30 league matches without keeping a clean sheet, which was their worst run outside of the top level of English football since 1948.<ref name="auto4">{{Cite web|url=https://talksport.com/football/4032584/leicester-city-unwanted-record-clean-sheet-championship/|title=Leicester City equal unwanted 18-year record in dismal Championship campaign|date=7 March 2026|website=talkSPORT}}</ref>

==Club identity== {{Commons|Leicester City F.C. kits}} {{Football kit box | align =left | pattern_la = _black | pattern_b = _brightblueleftsash | pattern_ra = _black | pattern_sh = _brightblueline | pattern_so = _monterrey1213t1 | leftarm = 000000 | body = 000000 | rightarm = 000000 | shorts = FFFFFF | socks = 000000 | title = Leicester City's first home colours worn from 1884 to 1886. }} [[File:LCFC1948shirt.jpg|thumb|right|This shirt, worn in 1948, was the first to bear the club's badge.]]

The club's traditional home colours of royal blue shirts, white shorts and either white or blue socks have been used for the team's kits throughout most of their history. Since the [[2015–16 Premier League|2015–16 season]], the club has played in an all-blue strip with the exception of the [[2019–20 Premier League|2019–20]] and [[2021–22 Premier League|2021–22]] seasons, where they reverted to wearing white shorts. In 1948, an image of a [[fox]] was first incorporated into the club's crest. Since 1992, the club's badge has featured a fox's head overlaid onto a [[Potentilla|cinquefoil]], which represents the city of Leicester's [[Leicester#Coat of arms|coat of arms]]. This was the first time that the [[Potentilla|cinquefoil]] and the fox were incorporated together on the club's crest.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lcfc.com/news/article/180712-city-shirts-a-potted-history-248065.aspx |title=City Shirts – A Potted History |first=John |last=Hutchinson |publisher=Leicester City F.C. |date=18 July 2012 |access-date=31 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102155512/http://www.lcfc.com/news/article/180712-city-shirts-a-potted-history-248065.aspx |archive-date=2 November 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="HFK">{{cite web|url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Leicester_City/Leicester_City.htm|title=Leicester City|publisher=Historical Football Kits|access-date=17 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090919141513/http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Leicester_City/Leicester_City.htm|archive-date=19 September 2009|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lcfc.com/history-crests|title=LCFC | Official Website|website=Lcfc.com}}</ref>

[[File:LCFC 125 Years.png|thumb|right|Leicester City's badge for the [[2009–10 in English football|2009–10 season]] to commemorate 125 years as a football club.]]

The club's stadium move in 2002 prompted some changes to the crest, and the updated design was incorporated into the new stadium, with the emblem used as the main feature on the outside of the West Stand. For the [[2009–10 Leicester City F.C. season|2009–10 season]], the club's 125th anniversary year, a special edition badge was worn on the home and away kits.<ref name="Leicester Mercury 2009-04-25">{{cite news|url=http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Leicester-City-unveil-new-home-kit/story-12036491-detail/story.html|title=Leicester City unveil new home kit|date=25 April 2009|work=Leicester Mercury|access-date=31 October 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714213122/http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Leicester-City-unveil-new-home-kit/story-12036491-detail/story.html|archive-date=14 July 2015}}</ref> For this season's away kit, there was also a return to the first colours worn by the club (originally Leicester Fosse), albeit with black shorts as opposed to the original white.<ref name= "anniversary kits">{{cite news|title=Coca Cola Championship 2009 – 2010|work=historicalkits.co.uk|first=Dave|last=Moor|access-date=8 July 2020|url=http://historicalkits.co.uk/English_Football_League/season/2009-2010/championship.html|archive-date=20 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220021201/http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/English_Football_League/season/2009-2010/championship.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.lcfc.com/history/crests|title=Crests | Leicester City|website=lcfc.com}}</ref> This kit returned once again for the [[2023–24 Leicester City F.C. season|2023–24 season]], having also featured during the [[2004–05 Leicester City F.C. season|2004–05 season]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.lcfc.com/news/3599179/leicester-citys-202324-adidas-away-kit-unveiled--launched-online--in-store | title=Leicester City's 2023/24 adidas Away Kit Unveiled & Launched Online & In-Store }}</ref> The club's current crest has been in use since 2010.<ref name="auto1" />

In 1941, the club adopted the playing of the "[[Post horn#Post Horn Galop|Post Horn Galop]]" at home matches, to signal both teams entering the pitch.<ref>Official History DVD, 00:32:00</ref> To the present day, the tune is usually played live on the pitch for the first half, while a modern version of the tune is played over the [[PA system]] for the second half.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lcfc.com/matches/matchday/post-horn-gallop|title=The Post-Horn Gallop | Leicester City|website=lcfc.com}}</ref> The club also play a modern version of their anthem "[[When You're Smiling]]" before kick-off on home matchdays, with the connection to the song dating back to the late 1970s.<ref name="auto2">{{cite web | url=https://www.lcfc.com/matches/matchday/when-youre-smiling?lang=en | title=When You're Smiling | Leicester City|website=Lcfc.com }}</ref> ''Foxes Never Quit'' is the club's [[motto]], with these words placed above the tunnel inside the stadium.

===Kit suppliers and shirt sponsors=== Source:<ref name="HFK"/>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! Year !!Kit Manufacturer!!Primary Shirt Sponsor!!Sleeve Sponsor |- |1972–1976 || [[Bukta]] || rowspan=3|''None'' || rowspan=18|''None'' |- |1976–1979 || [[Admiral Sportswear|Admiral]] |- |1979–1983 || [[Umbro]] |- |1983–1986 || rowspan=3|[[Admiral Sportswear|Admiral]] || [[Ind Coope]] |- |1986–1987 || [[John Bull Bitter|John Bull]] |- |1987–1988|| rowspan=6|[[Walkers Crisps]] |- |1988–1990|| Scoreline |- |1990–1992 ||[[Bukta]] |- |1992–1999 || Fox Leisure |- |1999–2000 || Fox Leisure / [[Le Coq Sportif]] |- |2000–2001|| rowspan=3|[[Le Coq Sportif]] |- |2001–2003|| [[LG]] |- |2003–2005 ||rowspan=2| [[Alliance & Leicester]] |- |2005–2007 || [[JJB Sports]] |- |2007–2009|| [[Jako]] || [[Topps Tiles]] |- |2009–2010|| [[Joma]] || ''None'' (Home) / LOROS Hospice Care (Away) |- |2010–2012|| [[Burrda Sport|Burrda]] || rowspan=4|[[King Power]] |- |2012–2016|| rowspan=2|[[Puma (brand)|Puma]] |- |2017–2018 ||[[Siam Commercial Bank]] |- |2018–2020 ||rowspan=5|[[Adidas]]||rowspan=5|[[Sabeco Brewery|Bia Saigon]] |- |2020–2021 || [[Tourism Authority of Thailand]] / [[King Power]] |- |2021–2023 || FBS |- |2023–2024 || [[King Power]] |- |2024– || [[TGP Europe|BC.GAME]] |}

Since 2018, Leicester City's kit has been manufactured by German sportswear company [[Adidas]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.footyheadlines.com/2018/05/no-more-puma-adidas-leicester-city-18-19-kit.html|title=No More Puma – Adidas Leicester City 18–19 Home Kit Revealed|work=Footy Headlines|date=1 June 2018|access-date=11 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629155626/https://www.footyheadlines.com/2018/05/no-more-puma-adidas-leicester-city-18-19-kit.html|archive-date=29 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Previous manufacturers have included [[Bukta]] (1972–76, 1990–92), [[Admiral Sportswear|Admiral]] (1976–79, 1983–88), [[Umbro]] (1979–83), Scoreline (1988–90), Fox Leisure (1992–2000), [[Le Coq Sportif]] (1999–2005), [[JJB Sports|JJB]] (2005–07), [[Jako]] (2007–09), [[Joma]] (2009–10), [[Burrda Sport|Burrda]] (2010–12)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lcfc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10274~2090129,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100715064409/http://www.lcfc.com/page/LatestNews/0%2C%2C10274~2090129%2C00.html |archive-date=15 July 2010 |title=Burrda Announced As Official Kit Supplier |publisher=LCFC.com |date=14 July 2010 |access-date=31 October 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[Puma (brand)|Puma]] (2012–18).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lcfc.com/news/article/060713-lcfc-puma-unveil-1314-home-kit-898080.aspx|title=LCFC & PUMA Unveil 13/14 Home Kit|publisher=LCFC.com|date=6 July 2013|access-date=31 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102155516/http://www.lcfc.com/news/article/060713-lcfc-puma-unveil-1314-home-kit-898080.aspx|archive-date=2 November 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

The club's current main shirt sponsor is [[TGP Europe|BC.GAME]].<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.lcfc.com/news/4051719?lang=en |title=BC.GAME Announced As New LCFC Principle Partner |date= 5 July 2024 |publisher=Leicester City Football Club}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.lcfc.com/pages/en/media-article/leicester-city-lcfc-bc-game-official-principal-partner |title=BC.GAME Returns As Leicester City's Official Principal Partner |date= 17 October 2025 |publisher=Leicester City Football Club}}</ref> The first sponsorship logo to appear on a Leicester shirt was that of [[Ind Coope]] in 1983.<ref name="HFK" /> British snack food manufacturer [[Walkers Crisps]] are the club's official snack partner.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.lcfc.com/partnerships?lang=en | title=Partnerships | Leicester City|website=Lcfc.com }}</ref> [[Walkers Crisps]] have held a long association with the club, sponsoring their shirts from 1987 to 2001 and the stadium from 2002 to 2011.<ref name="HFK" /><ref name="King Power title sponsor">{{cite news |title=Leicester rename Walkers Stadium the King Power Stadium|date=5 July 2011|access-date=8 July 2020|publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/14027229|archive-date=4 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204171952/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/14027229|url-status=live}}</ref> Other sponsors have included [[Star Brewery|John Bull]] (1986–87),<ref name="HFK" /> [[LG Corporation|LG]] (2001–03),<ref name="HFK" /> [[Alliance & Leicester]] (2003–07),<ref name="HFK" /> [[Topps Tiles]] (2007–09),<ref name="HFK" /> Loros (2009–10),<ref name="anniversary kits" /> [[King Power]] (2010–21, 2023–24), [[Tourism Authority of Thailand]] (2020–21) and FBS (2021–23).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fbs.com/about/fc-leicester|title=FBS — OFFICIAL CLUB PARTNER OF LCFC|website=FBS}}</ref> [[Siam Commercial Bank]] became the club's first sleeve sponsor in the [[2017–18 Leicester City F.C. season|2017–18 season]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lcfc.com/news/438270/siam-commercial-bank-to-be-leicester-city-sleeve-sponsor/press-release|title=Siam Commercial Bank To Be Leicester City Sleeve Sponsor|date=15 July 2017|publisher=Leicester City F.C.|access-date=1 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811101441/https://www.lcfc.com/news/438270/siam-commercial-bank-to-be-leicester-city-sleeve-sponsor/press-release|archive-date=11 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Since the [[2018–19 Leicester City F.C. season|2018–19]] season, the sleeve sponsor has been [[Sabeco Brewery|Bia Saigon]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lcfc.com/news/792418/leicester-city-and-thaibev-agree-multiyear-global-partnership/press-release|title=Leicester City And ThaiBev Agree Multi-Year Global Partnership|access-date=2018-08-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803133916/https://www.lcfc.com/news/792418/leicester-city-and-thaibev-agree-multiyear-global-partnership/press-release|archive-date=3 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Stadium and training ground== {{see also|King Power Stadium|Filbert Street}} [[File:Double Decker Stand at Filbert Street.jpg|thumb|left|The "Double Decker" Stand at [[Filbert Street]].]]

In their early years, Leicester played at numerous grounds, but have only played at two since they joined the [[Football League]]. They first started out by playing on a field by Fosse Road, hence the original club name of Leicester Fosse.<ref name="Inglis">{{cite book|last=Inglis |first=Simon |title=The Football Grounds of Great Britain (2nd ed.) |publisher=Collins Willow |location=London |year=1987 |isbn = 0-00-218249-1|page=136}}</ref> They moved from there to [[Victoria Park, Leicester|Victoria Park]], and subsequently to Belgrave Road. Upon turning professional, the club moved to Mill Lane.<ref name="Inglis"/> After eviction from Mill Lane, the club played at the [[Grace Road|County Cricket ground]] while seeking a new ground. The club secured the use of an area of land by [[Filbert Street]] and moved there in 1891.<ref name="Inglis"/>

Some improvements by noted football architect [[Archibald Leitch]] occurred in the Edwardian era, and in 1927, a new two-tier stand was built nicknamed "The Double Decker."<ref name="Inglis" /> This stand would persist until the ground's closure in 2002. Filbert Street saw no further development (except for compulsory seating) until 1993, when the Main Stand was demolished and replaced by the new Carling Stand. The addition of the new stand, while the rest of the ground had been untouched since the 1920s, led manager [[Martin O'Neill]] to joke that he used to "lead new signings out backwards" so they only saw the Carling Stand.<ref>{{cite book |title=Author notes on ''Farewell to Filbert Street'' |id={{ASIN|095235361X|country=uk}}}}</ref> {{clear}}

[[File:King Power Stadium.JPG|thumbnail|right|King Power Stadium, formerly known as the Walkers Stadium, has been the home of Leicester City since 2002.]]

The club moved away from Filbert Street in 2002, to a new 32,500-capacity all-seater stadium located less than 300 yards away.<ref name="BBC Sport 2002-07-23">{{cite news|title=Lineker unveils new Foxes home|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/2146706.stm|date=23 July 2002|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=31 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103090834/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/2146706.stm|archive-date=3 November 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.lcfc.com/news/693539/a-massive-step-forward--when-the-foxes-moved-to-filbert-way?lang=en | title='A Massive Step Forward' – when the Foxes Moved to Filbert Way|website=Lcfc.com}}</ref> The address of the current site, Filbert Way, retains a link with the club's former home ground. The first match hosted at the stadium was a 1–1 draw against [[Athletic Bilbao]], Bilbao's [[Tiko (footballer)|Tiko]] scored the first goal at the stadium and [[Jordan Stewart (footballer, born 1982)|Jordan Stewart]] became the first Leicester player to score.<ref name="El Dia 2002-08-05">{{cite news|url=http://www.eldia.es/2002-08-05/jornada/jornada15.htm|title=Empate del Athletic Bilbao|date=5 August 2002|work=El Dia|language=es|access-date=19 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716063800/http://www.eldia.es/2002-08-05/jornada/jornada15.htm|archive-date=16 July 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> The first competitive match was a 2–0 victory against Watford.<ref name="The Independent 2002-08-11">{{cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1708638.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131108172404/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1708638.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 November 2013|title=Leicester make a tidy profit from Deane double|last=Leach|first=Conrad|date=11 August 2002|work=The Independent |access-date=31 October 2013 | location=London}}</ref>

The stadium was known as the [[Walkers Stadium]] until 2011 in a sponsorship deal with Leicester-based food manufacturers [[Walkers (snack foods)|Walkers]]. On 19 August 2010, it emerged that the new owners [[King Power]] wanted to rename the stadium King Power Stadium, and had plans to increase the capacity to 42,000 should Leicester secure promotion.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/CHANGE-WALKERS-STADIUM/story-12075059-detail/story.html|title=Leicester City's Walkers Stadium could be renamed and increased in size|work=Leicester Mercury|access-date=31 October 2013|date=19 August 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002171927/http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/CHANGE-WALKERS-STADIUM/story-12075059-detail/story.html|archive-date=2 October 2015}}</ref> On 5 July 2011, it was announced that the Walkers Stadium would now be known as the King Power Stadium.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11712/7021439/leicester-change-stadium-name |title=Leicester change stadium name |access-date=17 September 2020 |archive-date=4 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204171952/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11712/7021439/leicester-change-stadium-name |url-status=live}}</ref>

The stadium currently has a capacity of 32,259, with plans formally approved in December 2023 to extend this to 40,000.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.lcfc.com/news/3823008/king-power-stadium-development-latest?lang=en | title=King Power Stadium Development Latest }}</ref><ref name="cap2023">{{cite web |url=https://resources.premierleague.com/premierleague/document/2022/07/19/40085fed-1e9e-4c33-9f14-0bcf57857da2/PL_Handbook_2022-23_DIGITAL_18.07.pdf |title=Premier League Handbook 2022/23 |page=24 |date=19 July 2022 |access-date=11 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805212133/https://resources.premierleague.com/premierleague/document/2022/07/19/40085fed-1e9e-4c33-9f14-0bcf57857da2/PL_Handbook_2022-23_DIGITAL_18.07.pdf |archive-date=5 August 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2020, the club moved into a new state-of-the-art training complex in the Leicestershire village of [[Seagrave]], described as being "one of the world's most advanced training facilities." The club's former training ground Belvoir Drive now serves as the training ground for [[Leicester City W.F.C.|Leicester City Women]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Leicester City Make Historic Move To New Seagrave Training Ground |url=https://www.lcfc.com/news/1950005/leicester-city-make-historic-move-to-new-seagrave-training-ground |url-status=live |publisher=LCFC |date=22 December 2020 |access-date=30 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128002453/https://www.lcfc.com/news/1950005/leicester-city-make-historic-move-to-new-seagrave-training-ground |archive-date=28 January 2021}}</ref>

==Support, rivalries, and hooliganism== {{main|Leicester City F.C.–Nottingham Forest F.C. rivalry|Derby County F.C.–Leicester City F.C. rivalry|M69 derby}}

The origin of the club's anthem "[[When You're Smiling]]", sung by supporters at home and away matches, dates back to the late 1970s with a modern version of the tune currently played before kick-off on home matchdays.<ref name="auto2"/>

The club's main rivals are [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]], [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]] and [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/2288869/football-rivals-the-census |title=Football Rivals: The Census |website=Sky Sports |access-date=19 January 2024}}</ref><ref name="Leicester Vs Coventry">{{cite news |last=Sinclair |first=John |title=Leicester v Coventry |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/leicester/content/articles/2007/02/16/lcfc_coventry_home_17feb2007_event_feature.shtml |url-status=live |work=BBC Sport |date=17 February 2007 |access-date=17 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925070309/http://www.bbc.co.uk/leicester/content/articles/2007/02/16/lcfc_coventry_home_17feb2007_event_feature.shtml |archive-date=25 September 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.footballfanscensus.com/issueresults/Club_Rivalries_Uncovered_Results.pdf |title=Club Rivalries Uncovered |website=Football Fans Census |access-date=19 January 2024 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020074918/http://www.footballfanscensus.com/issueresults/Club_Rivalries_Uncovered_Results.pdf |archive-date=20 October 2013}}</ref> Lesser rivalries also exist with [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], which dates back to around 1980, and more recently with [[Tottenham Hotspur]], as both teams battled to win the [[2015–16 Premier League]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2025/02/08/footballs-weirdest-rivalries/#:~:text=Chelsea%20v%20Leicester,vital%20game%20at%20Filbert%20Street |title=Football's weirdest rivalries: The reasons these clubs hate each other |work=The Telegraph |last=White |first=Jim |date=8 February 2025 |access-date=10 April 2025 |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.shoot.co.uk/football-mysteries-what-have-chelsea-got-against-leicester/ | title=Football Mysteries: What have Chelsea got against Leicester? |website=Shoot.co.uk| date=13 September 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/jamie-vardy-reignites-tottenham-rivalry-30965730 | title=Vardy reignites Tottenham rivalry with jibe despite unbeaten start to season | website=[[Daily Mirror]] | date=18 September 2023 }}</ref> Leicester were widely considered to be Nottingham Forest's main rivals prior to the mid-1970s. However, when [[Brian Clough]] was appointed as Forest manager in 1975, much to the dismay of Derby fans, the rivalry between Forest and Derby quickly intensified. The [[Leicester City F.C.–Nottingham Forest F.C. rivalry|Leicester-Forest]] rivalry is however, still prominent on the border of both cities, and on the border of both counties ([[Leicestershire]] and [[Nottinghamshire]]). The same is also applicable to the rivalry with [[Derby County]], while the rivalry with [[Coventry City]] tends to be most keenly felt by supporters in the southern parts of [[Leicestershire]].

Like many other clubs in [[English football]], Leicester have had links to [[football hooliganism|hooliganism]]. In August 2000, Leicester were listed as the 2nd most violent football club in [[England and Wales]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/880226.stm | title=Hooligan league – Cardiff fans fifth |work=BBC News |date=14 August 2000 |access-date=3 September 2024}}</ref> In June 2002, Leicester were one of six clubs who were banned from taking travelling supporters to [[Millwall F.C|Millwall]] during the [[2002–03 Football League|2002–03 season]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/jun/12/newsstory.sport|title=Millwall ban fans from six clubs|first=Mark|last=Tallentire|date=12 June 2002|via=The Guardian}}</ref> Between 2019 and 2023, Leicester were listed as having the 5th highest number of [[football hooliganism|hooligans]] at matches.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.meltontimes.co.uk/sport/leicester-city-ranks-among-teams-with-the-highest-number-of-hooligans-4569335 |title=Leicester City ranks among teams with the highest number of hooligans |work=Melton Times |last=Keeping |first=Freya |date=26 March 2024 |access-date=3 September 2024}}</ref> During the [[2022–23 in English football|2022–23]] and [[2023–24 in English football|2023–24]] seasons, the club were ranked 3rd and 4th respectively for football banning orders.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/football-related-arrests-and-banning-orders-2022-to-2023-season/football-related-arrests-and-banning-orders-england-and-wales-2022-to-2023-season | title=Football-related arrests and banning orders, England and Wales: 2022 to 2023 season }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/football-related-arrests-and-banning-orders-2023-to-2024-season/football-related-arrests-and-banning-orders-england-and-wales-2023-to-2024-season#s3 |title=Football-related arrests and banning orders, England and Wales: 2023 to 2024 season – 3.1 Highest number of new football banning orders since the 2010 to 2011 season |publisher=Government of the United Kingdom – Home Office |access-date=3 October 2024}}</ref> In March 2025, a report revealed that in the past five seasons, Leicester were ranked 12th overall in the country for arrests.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.givemesport.com/english-football-teams-with-most-fan-arrests/ | title=Study reveals the 15 English football teams with the most fan arrests over past five seasons | date=20 March 2025 }}</ref>

==European record== {{Main|Leicester City F.C. in European football}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left" |- ! style="color:white; background:#2B55DB;"| Season ! style="color:white; background:#2B55DB;"| Competition ! style="color:white; background:#2B55DB;"| Round ! style="color:white; background:#2B55DB;"| Club ! style="color:white; background:#2B55DB;"| Home ! style="color:white; background:#2B55DB;"| Away ! style="color:white; background:#2B55DB;"| Aggregate |- | rowspan=2| [[1961-62 Leicester City F.C. season|1961–62]] | rowspan=2| [[1961–62 European Cup Winners' Cup|European Cup Winners' Cup]] | [[1961–62 European Cup Winners' Cup#Preliminary round|PR]] | {{flagicon|Northern Ireland}} [[Glenavon F.C.|Glenavon]] | bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 3–1 | bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 4–1 | bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| '''7–2''' |- | [[1961–62 European Cup Winners' Cup#First round|1R]] | {{flagicon|Spain|1945}} [[Atlético Madrid]] | bgcolor="#ffffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–1 | bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–2 | bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| '''1–3''' |- | [[1997-98 Leicester City F.C. season|1997–98]] | [[1997–98 UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup]] | [[1997–98 UEFA Cup#First round|1R]] | {{flagicon|Spain|}} [[Atlético Madrid]] | bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–2 | bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–2 | bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| '''1–4''' |- | [[2000-01 Leicester City F.C. season|2000–01]] | [[2000–01 UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup]] | [[2000–01 UEFA Cup#First round|1R]] | {{flagicon|FR Yugoslavia}} [[Red Star Belgrade]] | bgcolor="#ffffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–1 | bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–3<ref group="nb">'Away' leg held at the [[Gerhard Hanappi Stadium]], [[Vienna]], [[Austria]]</ref> | bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| '''2–4''' |- | rowspan=5| [[2016-17 Leicester City F.C. season|2016–17]] | rowspan=5| [[2016–17 UEFA Champions League|UEFA Champions League]] | rowspan=3| [[2016–17 UEFA Champions League#Group G|GS]] | {{flagicon|Portugal}} [[FC Porto|Porto]] | bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–0 | bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–5 | bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;" rowspan=3 | '''1st''' |- | {{flagicon|Belgium}} [[Club Brugge KV|Club Brugge]] | bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 2–1 | bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 3–0 |- | {{flagicon|Denmark}} [[F.C. Copenhagen|Copenhagen]] | bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–0 | bgcolor="#ffffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–0 |- | [[2016–17 UEFA Champions League#Round of 16|R16]] | {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]] | bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 2–0 | bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–2 | bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| '''3–2''' |- | [[2016–17 UEFA Champions League#Quarter-finals|QF]] | {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Atlético Madrid]] | bgcolor="#ffffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–1 | bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–1 | bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| '''1–2''' |- | rowspan=4| [[2020-21 Leicester City F.C. season|2020–21]] | rowspan="4" | [[2020–21 UEFA Europa League|UEFA Europa League]] | rowspan=3| [[2020–21 UEFA Europa League#Group stage|GS]] | {{flagicon|POR}} [[S.C. Braga|Braga]] | bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 4–0 | bgcolor="#ffffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 3–3 | bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;" rowspan=3 | '''1st''' |- | {{flagicon|GRE}} [[AEK Athens F.C.|AEK Athens]] | bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 2–0 | bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 2–1 |- | {{flagicon|UKR}} [[FC Zorya Luhansk|Zorya Luhansk]] | bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 3–0 | bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–1 |- | [[2020–21 UEFA Europa League#Round of 32|R32]] | {{flagicon|CZE}} [[SK Slavia Prague|Slavia Prague]] | bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–2 | bgcolor="#ffffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–0 | bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| '''0–2''' |- | rowspan=7| [[2021–22 Leicester City F.C. season|2021–22]] | rowspan=3| [[2021–22 UEFA Europa League|UEFA Europa League]] | rowspan=3| [[2021–22 UEFA Europa League#Group stage|GS]] | {{flagicon|ITA}} [[S.S.C. Napoli|Napoli]] | bgcolor="#ffffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 2–2 | bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 2–3 | bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;" rowspan=3 | '''3rd''' |- | {{flagicon|RUS}} [[FC Spartak Moscow|Spartak Moscow]] | bgcolor="#ffffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–1 | bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 4–3 |- | {{flagicon|POL}} [[Legia Warsaw]] | bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 3–1 | bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–1 |- | rowspan=4| [[2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League|UEFA Conference League]] | [[2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League#Knockout round play-offs|KPO]] | {{flagicon|DEN}} [[Randers FC|Randers]] | bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 4–1 | bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 3–1 | bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"|'''7–2''' |- | [[2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League#Round of 16|R16]] | {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Stade Rennais F.C.|Rennes]] | bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 2–0 | bgcolor="#ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–2 | bgcolor="#ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| '''3–2''' |- | [[2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League#Quarter-finals|QF]] | {{flagicon|NED}} [[PSV Eindhoven]] | bgcolor="ffffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–0 | bgcolor="ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 2–1 | bgcolor="ddffdd" style="text-align:center;"| '''2–1''' |- | [[2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League#Semi-finals|SF]] | {{flagicon|ITA}} [[A.S. Roma|Roma]] | bgcolor="ffffdd" style="text-align:center;"| 1–1 | bgcolor="ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| 0–1 | bgcolor="ffdddd" style="text-align:center;"| '''1–2''' |} ;Notes * LCFC goals listed first * KPO: Knockout round play-offs * PR: Preliminary round * 1R: First round * GS: Group stage * R32: Round of 32 * R16: Round of 16 * QF: Quarter-final * SF: Semi-final

==Managerial history== {{Main|List of Leicester City F.C. managers}}

The club's current manager is [[Gary Rowett]], who was appointed on 18 February 2026 until the end of the 2025–26 season.<ref name="lcfc.com"/>

[[Nigel Pearson]] and [[Peter Hodge]] have both had two separate spells in charge of the club. [[Dave Bassett]] also had a second spell as caretaker manager after his first spell as permanent manager.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lcfc.com/page/Records/0,,10274~1035220,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218091401/http://www.lcfc.com/page/Records/0%2C%2C10274~1035220%2C00.html |archive-date=18 February 2012 |title=Past Managers |publisher=Leicester City F.C. |date=20 June 2008 |access-date=31 October 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Up until [[Peter Hodge]] was hired after [[World War I]], the club had no official manager. A nominal role of secretary/manager was employed, though the board and the selection committee took control of most team affairs. It was Hodge who instated a system at the club for the manager having complete control over player and staff recruitment, team selection, and tactics. Though Hodge was originally titled "secretary/manager" he has retrospectively been named as the club's first official "manager."<ref name="OFAF">{{Cite book|first1=Dave |last1=Smith |first2=Paul |last2=Taylor|title=Of Fossils and Foxes|year=2010|publisher=Pitch Publishing (Brighton) Limited |isbn=978-1-905411-94-8}}</ref>

[[Matt Gillies]] is the club's longest-serving manager. Between 1958 and 1968, he led Leicester City to four major domestic cup finals including a first major trophy, as well as four top eight finishes in the First Division. Under Gillies, the club competed for the First Division and FA Cup double in the 1962–63 season.

==Records and statistics== {{main|List of Leicester City F.C. records and statistics}}

[[File:Leicester City FC League Performance.svg|350px|thumb|Historical league positions of Leicester City within the English Football League system.]]

[[Graham Cross]] holds the record for the most Leicester appearances, with the defender playing 600 games between 1960 and 1976, increased from 599 following the club's decision to incorporate the 1971 FA Charity Shield into official records.<ref name="Charity Shield">{{cite web |url=https://www.lcfc.com/news/2208221/leicester-city-statistics--the-fa-community-shield |title=Leicester City Statistics – The FA Community Shield |publisher=Leicester City F.C. |date=6 August 2021 |access-date=29 December 2021 |archive-date=29 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229130449/https://www.lcfc.com/news/2208221/leicester-city-statistics--the-fa-community-shield |url-status=live}}</ref> However, [[Adam Black (footballer, born 1898)|Adam Black]] holds the record for the most appearances in the league with 528 matches between 1920 and 1935.<ref name="Most Appearances">{{cite web|url=http://www.lcfc.com/page/Records/0,,10274~1028896,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722013638/http://www.lcfc.com/page/Records/0%2C%2C10274~1028896%2C00.html |archive-date=22 July 2012 |title=Most Appearances |publisher=Leicester City F.C. |date=23 September 2009 |access-date=31 October 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Striker [[Arthur Chandler (footballer)|Arthur Chandler]] is currently the club's all-time record goalscorer, scoring 273 times in his 12 years at the club. He also scored in 8 consecutive matches during the 1924–25 season.<ref name="OBAF"/> The most goals managed in a single season for the club is 44 by [[Arthur Rowley]], in the 1956–57 season.<ref name="OBAF"/> The fastest goal in the club's history was scored in 9 seconds by [[Matty Fryatt]] against [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]] in April 2006.<ref name="Miscellaneous Records">{{cite web |title=Miscellaneous Records |url=http://www.lcfc.com/page/Records/0,,10274~1028984,00.html |url-status=dead |publisher=Leicester City F.C. |date=30 May 2008 |access-date=31 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090330135817/http://www.lcfc.com/page/Records/0%2C%2C10274~1028984%2C00.html |archive-date=30 March 2009}}</ref>

Striker [[Jamie Vardy]] broke the previous Premier League record of 11 goals in 11 consecutive matches by scoring 13 goals in 11 consecutive matches during the 2015–16 Premier League season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34953098 |title=Jamie Vardy breaks record for goals in consecutive games |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 November 2015 |access-date=3 August 2023}}</ref> Vardy's goal at Sunderland on 10 April 2016 saw him become the first Leicester player since Gary Lineker in 1984–85 to score 20 top flight goals for the club, having already become Leicester's highest Premier League scorer in a single season.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |title=CHAMPIONS: City's Record-Breaking Season |url=http://www.lcfc.com/news/article/champions-citys-record-breaking-season-3093033.aspx |url-status=live |publisher=Leicester City F.C. |date=4 May 2016 |access-date=15 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106152632/http://www.lcfc.com/news/article/champions-citys-record-breaking-season-3093033.aspx |archive-date=6 November 2016}}</ref> Vardy finished the campaign with 23 goals and was awarded the [[Premier League Golden Boot]] for the season.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53518988 |title= Premier League Golden Boot: Leicester City's Jamie Vardy wins with 23 goals |author= |date= 26 July 2020 |website= [[BBC Sport]] |publisher= [[BBC]]|access-date= 29 February 2024}}</ref>

The record transfer fee paid by Leicester for a player was in the region of £32-to-40 million for midfielder [[Youri Tielemans]] from [[AS Monaco]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jul/08/youri-tielemans-joining-leicester-club-record-fee |title=Leicester sign Youri Tielemans from Monaco for club record fee |work=The Guardian |date=8 July 2019 |access-date=18 April 2021 |archive-date=18 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418161954/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jul/08/youri-tielemans-joining-leicester-club-record-fee |url-status=live}}</ref> The highest transfer fee received for a Leicester player was approximately £80 million from [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] for [[Harry Maguire]]; at the time of the transfer this was the eleventh-highest-ever fee,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2019/08/05/5d488c8e22601d23758b4582.html |title=Football's most expensive XI |first=Pedro |last=Barata |others=Adapted by Conor Clancy |newspaper=Marca |date=5 August 2019 |access-date=18 April 2021 |archive-date=7 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807095659/https://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2019/08/05/5d488c8e22601d23758b4582.html |url-status=live }}</ref> the highest-ever move between two English teams,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/aug/04/jack-grealish-poised-to-join-manchester-city-from-aston-villa-in-100m-deal |title=Jack Grealish poised to join Manchester City from Aston Villa in £100m deal |first=Fabrizio |last=Romano |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=4 August 2021 |access-date=7 January 2025 |archive-date=28 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828232747/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/aug/04/jack-grealish-poised-to-join-manchester-city-from-aston-villa-in-100m-deal |url-status=live |quote=United top the list of fees paid by one English club to another, too, with their £80m purchase of Harry Maguire from Leicester in 2019.}}</ref> and the highest-ever fee for a defender.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/11777781/harry-maguire-passes-manchester-united-medical-as-record-transfer-nears-completion |title=Harry Maguire: Manchester United pay Leicester world-record fee for a defender |publisher=Sky Sports Football |date=5 August 2019 |access-date=18 April 2021 |archive-date=18 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418161953/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/11777781/harry-maguire-passes-manchester-united-medical-as-record-transfer-nears-completion |url-status=live}}</ref>

Leicester's record home attendance is 47,298, for a fifth-round [[FA Cup]] match against [[Tottenham Hotspur]] at [[Filbert Street]] in 1928.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lcfc.com/news/434567/twih-filbert-streets-record-crowd |title=TWIH: Filbert Street's record crowd |author=John Hutchinson |publisher=Leicester City FC |date=20 February 2013 |access-date=31 August 2023}}</ref> The current record home attendance at the current stadium is 32,242, for a [[Premier League]] match against [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]] on 8 August 2015.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.premierleague.com/clubs/26/Leicester-City/stadium | title=King Power Stadium Leicester City FC, Info & Map | Premier League }}</ref> The highest-ever attendance for a non-competitive football match at the King Power Stadium stands at 32,188, for a pre-season friendly against [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]] on 30 July 2011.<ref name="Highest Ever Attendance">{{cite news |title=Record crowd watch Leicester City play Real Madrid |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/14363378 |url-status=dead |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 August 2011 |access-date=31 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105144938/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/14363378 |archive-date=5 November 2012 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Leicester's highest ever league finish is first place in the Premier League in [[2015–16 Premier League|2015–16]].<ref name="538 Rise" /> The club currently holds the all-time record for second tier titles with eight.<ref name="EFL2T"/>

Leicester's longest unbeaten run in league football to date came between 1 November 2008 and 7 March 2009. The team remained unbeaten for 23 games on their way to the [[Football League One|League One]] title.<ref name="Leicester Mercury 2009-03-12">{{cite news|url=http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/escape-act-time-City/story-12077324-detail/story.html|title=No escape act this time, City!|date=12 March 2009|work=Leicester Mercury|access-date=31 October 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002163403/http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/escape-act-time-City/story-12077324-detail/story.html|archive-date=2 October 2015}}</ref> The club's longest run of consecutive victories in league football is currently nine, which the team achieved between 21 December 2013 and 1 February 2014 in the [[EFL Championship|Championship]].

During the 2015–16 season, Leicester achieved many new club records in what ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' described as "one of the most astonishing league titles of all-time".<ref>{{cite news |last=Wallace |first=Sam |title=Leicester City 4 Man City 2: Foxes find their ferocious side as Jamie Vardy hat-trick ends 16 match goal drought |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/12/10/leicester-city-vs-man-city-premier-league-live/ |url-status=live |date=10 December 2016 |access-date=11 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161211002101/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/12/10/leicester-city-vs-man-city-premier-league-live/ |archive-date=11 December 2016}}</ref> They recorded the most consecutive wins and fewest losses in any of the club's previous [[Premier League]] seasons, as well as the fewest away defeats in any previous top-flight season. The record for consecutive victories came against [[Watford F.C.|Watford]], [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]], Crystal Palace, [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]] and [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]]. Coincidentally, Leicester kept a record of five straight clean sheets against each of the same five opponents. The club's home crowds in 2015–16 saw their team beaten just once in the [[Premier League]] all season.<ref name="auto"/>

Leicester made their [[UEFA Champions League]] debut in the [[2016–17 UEFA Champions League|2016–17 season]], their fourth appearance in European football. The club became the third English team to win on their Champions League debut, after Manchester United in 1994 and Newcastle United in 1997. They also became the first English team to win away on their Champions League debut, and win all three of their opening matches in the competition.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=TheOddsBible |number=788483770680745984 |date=18 October 2016 |title=Leicester are the first English side ever to win their first three Champions League games}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://metro.co.uk/2016/09/27/leicester-city-become-first-english-team-to-win-their-first-two-champions-league-games-6156977/|title=Leicester City make BEST EVER start to Champions League life by English club|first=Max|last=Miller|work=Metro.co.uk|date=27 September 2016|access-date=28 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160928171613/http://metro.co.uk/2016/09/27/leicester-city-become-first-english-team-to-win-their-first-two-champions-league-games-6156977/|archive-date=28 September 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Leicester are currently the first and only team in Champions League history to keep clean sheets in each of their opening four matches in the competition.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=SkySportsStatto |number=793930648390078464 |date=2 November 2016 |title=@LCFC are the 1st team in Champions League history to keep clean sheets in their opening 4 games in the competition}}</ref> In March 2017, Leicester became the 50th team to reach the [[UEFA Champions League]] quarter-finals.

During the start of the [[2019–20 Premier League]] campaign, the club won 12 matches from their opening 16 fixtures, which was the most victories recorded at this stage of any previous league season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50568386|title=Leicester 2–0 Watford: Jamie Vardy and James Maddison on target|work=BBC Sport |date=3 December 2019}}</ref><ref name="auto3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50618864|title=Aston Villa 1–4 Leicester: Jamie Vardy scores two as Leicester claim club record eighth win in row|work=BBC Sport |date=6 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/leicester-city-results/2019-20|title=Leicester City (Sky Sports)|website=SkySports}}</ref>

On 25 October 2019, the Leicester team under manager Brendan Rodgers set the record for the highest margin of away victory in English top-flight history, defeating Southampton [[Southampton F.C. 0–9 Leicester City F.C.|9–0]] at [[St Mary's Stadium]]. In doing so, they also tied the record for the highest margin of victory in Premier League history, equalling Manchester United's [[Manchester United F.C. 9–0 Ipswich Town F.C.|9–0 home victory]] over [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]] in 1995.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/10/25/leicester-city-equal-premier-league-record-win-nine-goal-rout/|title=Leicester City equal Premier League record win with nine-goal rout over sorry Southampton|work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]|date=25 October 2019|access-date=25 October 2019|archive-date=25 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025222404/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/10/25/leicester-city-equal-premier-league-record-win-nine-goal-rout/|url-status=live}}</ref> As a result, Leicester City hold the all-time top tier records for the biggest defeat, biggest away win, and highest-scoring draw.

On 8 December 2019, a 1–4 away win at Aston Villa saw the club set a new record of eight consecutive victories. This surpassed the record of five consecutive wins during the [[2015–16 Premier League]] title-winning campaign, and also surpassed Leicester's previous all-time top flight record of seven consecutive victories achieved between December 1962 and March 1963.<ref name="auto3"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.premierleague.com/en/news/1514298|title=MW15 stats: Leicester on club-record winning sequence|date=3 December 2019|website=Premierleague.com}}</ref>

On 15 May 2021, Leicester City won the [[FA Cup]] for the first time in their history, having lost four previous finals in [[1949 FA Cup final|1949]], [[1961 FA Cup final|1961]], [[1963 FA Cup final|1963]] and [[1969 FA Cup final|1969]]. The club's record signing [[Youri Tielemans]] scored the winning goal against [[Chelsea F.C|Chelsea]] at [[Wembley Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Chelsea 0–1 Leicester: Foxes lift FA Cup for first time after Youri Tielemans stunner | work=BBC Sport | date=14 May 2021 | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57055571 }}</ref>

On 28 May 2023, the club was relegated from the Premier League with the highest ever squad value and player wages outside of the Premier League's traditional 'big-six' clubs.<ref name="Percy2024"/><ref name="Hafez2023"/>

During the [[2023–24 EFL Championship]] season, the club set a number of new records. They made their best start to a league season to date, and the best in the competition's history (since becoming known as the Championship in 2004).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.lcfc.com/news/3746079/record-breaking-foxes-seal-swans-win/featured?lang=en | title=Record-Breaking Foxes Seal Swans Win|website=Lcfc.com }}</ref> They also notably matched the all-time record of nine consecutive league wins home and away, and went four home matches without conceding for the first time since 1973.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.lcfc.com/news/3733262/leicester-city-in-202324-records-broken--others-in-sight | title=Leicester City in 2023/24: Records Broken & Others in Sight|website=Lcfc.com}}</ref><ref name="theanalyst.com"/>

During the [[2024–25 Premier League]] season, Leicester became the first team in English football history to lose nine consecutive home matches without scoring a goal. This was statistically the club's worst ever season in the Premier League era.

During the course of the [[2025–26 EFL Championship]] season, the club went 30 league matches without keeping a clean sheet between September 2025 and March 2026, which was their worst run outside of the top level of English football since 1948.<ref name="auto4"/> On 28 February 2026, following a 0–2 defeat to [[Norwich City]], the club recorded four consecutive home defeats for the first time outside of the top division since 1914.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cgl5nzxez4et|title=Leicester City 0–2 Norwich City: Canaries pull clear of danger but Foxes remain in trouble|first=Live|last=Text|website=BBC Sport}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://x.com/Squawka/status/2027755665871994921|title=Leicester City have lost four consecutive home games outside of the top flight of English football for the first time since 1914. They've also not kept a clean sheet for 29 games, their worst run outside the top flight since 1948.|website=X.com|access-date=31 May 2026}}</ref>

==League history== {{main|List of Leicester City F.C. seasons}}

Since their election to the [[Football League]] in 1894, Leicester City have spent all but one season within the top two tiers of English football. The club's longest stint at the top level to date came between 1957 and 1969. During these years, the club reached three FA Cup finals, participated in European football for the first time, and recorded their third highest ever league finish. During the [[2008–09 in English football|2008–09 season]], Leicester played in [[Football League One|League One]], the third tier of English football, for the first time following the club's relegation from [[Football League Championship|the Championship]]. However, the club made an instant return to the second tier and were promoted as [[2008–09 Football League One|2008–09 League One]] champions. :Source<ref name="FCHD"/> {| class="wikitable" |- style="vertical-align: top;" | * 1894–1908 [[Football League Second Division|Division 2]] (L2) * 1908–1909 [[Football League First Division|Division 1]] (L1) * 1909–1915 [[Football League Second Division|Division 2]] (L2) * 1919–1925 [[Football League Second Division|Division 2]] (L2) * 1925–1935 [[Football League First Division|Division 1]] (L1) * 1935–1937 [[Football League Second Division|Division 2]] (L2) | * 1937–1939 [[Football League First Division|Division 1]] (L1) * 1946–1954 [[Football League Second Division|Division 2]] (L2) * 1954–1955 [[Football League First Division|Division 1]] (L1) * 1955–1957 [[Football League Second Division|Division 2]] (L2) * 1957–1969 [[Football League First Division|Division 1]] (L1) * 1969–1971 [[Football League Second Division|Division 2]] (L2) | * 1971–1978 [[Football League First Division|Division 1]] (L1) * 1978–1980 [[Football League Second Division|Division 2]] (L2) * 1980–1981 [[Football League First Division|Division 1]] (L1) * 1981–1983 [[Football League Second Division|Division 2]] (L2) * 1983–1987 [[Football League First Division|Division 1]] (L1) * 1987–1992 [[Football League Second Division|Division 2]] (L2) | * 1992–1994 [[Football League First Division|Division 1]] (L2) * 1994–1995 [[Premier League]] (L1) * 1995–1996 [[Football League First Division|Division 1]] (L2) * 1996–2002 [[Premier League]] (L1) * 2002–2003 [[Football League First Division|Division 1]] (L2) * 2003–2004 [[Premier League]] (L1) | * 2004–2008 [[Football League Championship|Championship]] (L2) * 2008–2009 [[Football League One|League One]] (L3) * 2009–2014 [[Football League Championship|Championship]] (L2) * 2014–2023 [[Premier League]] (L1) * 2023–2024 [[Football League Championship|Championship]] (L2) * 2024–2025 [[Premier League]] (L1) | * 2025–2026 [[Football League Championship|Championship]] (L2) * 2026– [[Football League One|League One]] (L3) |} {{refbegin}}L1 = Level 1 of the football league system; L2 = Level 2 of the football league system; L3 = Level 3 of the football league system.{{refend}} * Seasons spent at Level 1 of the [[English football league system|football league system]]: 56 * Seasons spent at Level 2 of the football league system: 63 * Seasons spent at Level 3 of the football league system: 1 (up to and including 2024–25)

==Players== ===First-team squad===  {{updated|31 May 2026}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lcfc.com/pages/en/teams-men|title=Men Teams LCFC|publisher=Leicester City F.C.|date=2025-08-22 |access-date=2025-08-22}}</ref> {{Fs start}} {{Fs player|no=1|nat=POL|pos=GK|name=[[Jakub Stolarczyk]]}} {{Fs player|no=3|pos=DF|nat=BEL|name=[[Wout Faes]]}} {{Fs player|no=4|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Ben Nelson (footballer, born 2004)|Ben Nelson]]}} {{Fs player|no=5|nat=ITA|pos=DF|name=[[Caleb Okoli]]}} {{Fs player|no=7|nat=GHA|pos=FW|name=[[Abdul Fatawu]]|}} {{Fs player|no=8|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Harry Winks]]}} {{Fs player|no=10|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Stephy Mavididi]]}} {{Fs player|no=13|nat=ESP|pos=GK|name=[[Fran Vieites]]}} {{Fs player|no=14|nat=JAM|pos=FW|name=[[Bobby De Cordova-Reid]]}} {{Fs player|no=15|nat=AUS|pos=DF|name=[[Harry Souttar]]}} {{fs player|no=16|nat=DEN|pos=DF|name=[[Victor Kristiansen]]}} {{Fs player|no=17|nat=BAN|pos=MF|name=[[Hamza Choudhury]]}} {{fs mid}} {{Fs player|no=22|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Oliver Skipp]]}} {{Fs player|no=23|nat=DEN|pos=DF|name=[[Jannik Vestergaard]]}} {{Fs player|no=25|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Louis Page (footballer, born 2008)|Louis Page]]}} {{Fs player|no=26|nat=MLI|pos=DF|name=[[Woyo Coulibaly]]}} {{Fs player|no=28|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Jeremy Monga]]}} {{Fs player|no=31|nat=BIH|pos=GK|name=[[Asmir Begović]]}} {{Fs player|no=33|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Luke Thomas (footballer, born 2001)|Luke Thomas]]}} {{Fs player|no=34|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Michael Golding (footballer)|Michael Golding]]}} {{Fs player|no=36|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Sammy Braybrooke]]}} {{Fs player|no=37|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Will Alves]]}} {{Fs player|no=39|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Silko Thomas]]}} {{Fs player|no=56|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Olabade Aluko]]}} {{Fs player|no=65|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Jake Evans (footballer, born 2008)|Jake Evans]]}} {{Fs end}}

===Under-21s and Academy=== {{Further|Leicester City F.C. Under-21s and Academy}}

==Management== ''{{As of|2026|3|3}}''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lcfc.com/senior-management|title=LCFC | Official Website|website=Lcfc.com}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;" |- !colspan=2 style="color:white; background:#2B55DB;"|Directors & Senior Management |- ! style="width:450px;"|Role !! style="width:280px;"|Person |- | Chairman || [[Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha]] |- | Vice Chairman || Apichet Srivaddhanaprabha |- | Vice Chairman || Liu Shilai |- | Chief Football Officer || [[Jon Rudkin]] |- | Sporting Director || James McCarron |- | Chief Executive Officer || Kevin Davies |- | Managing Director || Kamonthip Netthanomsak |- | Commercial Director || Russell Jones |- | Finance Director || Vacant |- | Football Operations Director || Andrew Neville |- | Operations Director || Alan Dawson |- | Communications & Marketing Director || Anthony Herlihy |- | Associate Director of Training Ground Operations || Tony Kavanagh |- | Associate Director of Content, Marketing & Digital || Sam Chambers |}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;" |- !colspan=2 style="color:white; background:#2B55DB;"|Management Staff |- ! style="width:450px;"|Role !! style="width:280px;"|Person |- | First Team Manager || [[Gary Rowett]] |- | First Team Assistant Manager || [[Callum Davidson]] |- | First Team Coaches || [[Andy King (footballer, born 1988)|Andy King]]<br>[[Adam Sadler]] |- | First Team Set Piece Coach || [[Andrew Hughes (footballer, born 1978)|Andrew Hughes]] |- | Head of Fitness and Conditioning || Matt Reeves |- | Head of Medicine || Dr. Simon Morris |- | Head Physiotherapists || [[Gary Silk]] <br/> Niall Stevens |- | Kit Manager || Paul McAndrew |- | Head of Senior Player Recruitment || Martyn Glover |- | Academy Director || [[Jon Rudkin]] |}

==Player statistics==

===Player of the Year=== Leicester City's Player of the Year award is voted for by the club's supporters at the end of every season.<ref name="OFAF"/> {{col-begin|width=auto}} {{col-break}} {| class="wikitable" |- ! style="color:white; background:#2B55DB;"|Year ! style="color:white; background:#2B55DB;"|Winner |- |[[1987–88 in English football|1987–88]]||{{flagicon|England}} [[Steve Walsh (footballer)|Steve Walsh]] |- |[[1988–89 in English football|1988–89]]||{{flagicon|England}} [[Alan Paris]] |- |[[1989–90 in English football|1989–90]]||{{flagicon|England}} [[Gary Mills (footballer, born 1961)|Gary Mills]] |- |[[1990–91 in English football|1990–91]]||{{flagicon|England}} [[Tony James (footballer, born 1967)|Tony James]] |- |[[1991–92 in English football|1991–92]]||{{flagicon|England}} [[Gary Mills (footballer, born 1961)|Gary Mills]] |- |[[1992–93 in English football|1992–93]]||{{flagicon|Northern Ireland}} [[Colin Hill (footballer)|Colin Hill]] |- |[[1993–94 in English football|1993–94]]||{{flagicon|England}} [[Simon Grayson]] |- |[[1994–95 in English football|1994–95]]||{{flagicon|England}} [[Kevin Poole]] |- |[[1995–96 in English football|1995–96]]||{{flagicon|England}} [[Garry Parker]] |- |[[1996–97 in English football|1996–97]]||{{flagicon|England}} [[Simon Grayson]] |- |[[1997–98 in English football|1997–98]]||{{flagicon|Scotland}} [[Matt Elliott (footballer)|Matt Elliott]] |- |[[1998–99 in English football|1998–99]]||{{flagicon|England}} [[Tony Cottee]] |- |[[1999-2000 in English football|1999–2000]]||{{flagicon|Northern Ireland}} [[Gerry Taggart]] |- |[[2000–01 in English football|2000–01]]||{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Robbie Savage]] |} {{col-break|gap=1em}} {| class="wikitable" |- ! style="color:white; background:#2B55DB;"|Year ! style="color:white; background:#2B55DB;"|Winner |- |[[2001–02 in English football|2001–02]]||{{flagicon|Wales}} [[Robbie Savage]] |- |[[2002–03 in English football|2002–03]]||{{flagicon|Scotland}} [[Paul Dickov]] |- |[[2003–04 in English football|2003–04]]||{{flagicon|England}} [[Les Ferdinand]] |- |[[2004–05 in English football|2004–05]]||{{flagicon|Australia}} [[Danny Tiatto]] |- |[[2005–06 in English football|2005–06]]||{{flagicon|Iceland}} [[Joey Guðjónsson]] |- |[[2006–07 in English football|2006–07]]||{{flagicon|Canada}} [[Iain Hume]] |- |[[2007–08 in English football|2007–08]]||{{flagicon|England}} [[Richard Stearman]] |- |[[2008–09 in English football|2008–09]]||{{flagicon|Scotland}} [[Steve Howard]] |- |[[2009–10 in English football|2009–10]]||{{flagicon|England}} [[Jack Hobbs (footballer)|Jack Hobbs]] |- |[[2010–11 in English football|2010–11]]||{{flagicon|England}} [[Richie Wellens]] |- |[[2011–12 in English football|2011–12]]||{{flagicon|Denmark}} [[Kasper Schmeichel]] |- |[[2012–13 in English football|2012–13]]||{{flagicon|Jamaica}} [[Wes Morgan]] |- |[[2013–14 in English football|2013–14]]||{{flagicon|England}} [[Danny Drinkwater]] |- |[[2014–15 in English football|2014–15]]||{{flagicon|Argentina}} [[Esteban Cambiasso]] |- |} {{col-break|gap=1em}} {| class="wikitable" |- ! style="color:white; background:#2B55DB;"|Year ! style="color:white; background:#2B55DB;"|Winner |- |[[2015–16 in English football|2015–16]]||{{flagicon|Algeria}} [[Riyad Mahrez]] |- |[[2016–17 in English football|2016–17]]||{{flagicon|Denmark}} [[Kasper Schmeichel]] |- |[[2017–18 in English football|2017–18]]||{{flagicon|England}} [[Harry Maguire]] |- |[[2018–19 in English football|2018–19]]||{{flagicon|Portugal}} [[Ricardo Pereira (footballer, born 1993)|Ricardo Pereira]] |- |[[2019–20 in English football|2019–20]]||{{flagicon|England}} [[Jamie Vardy]] |- |[[2020–21 in English football|2020–21]]||{{flagicon|Belgium}} [[Youri Tielemans]] |- |[[2021–22 in English football|2021–22]]||{{Flagicon|England}} [[James Maddison]] |- ||[[2022–23 in English football|2022–23]]||{{Flagicon|Nigeria}} [[Kelechi Iheanacho]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Iheanacho & Leitzig Earn Player Of The Season Recognition |url=https://www.lcfc.com/news/3515826/iheanacho--leitzig-earn-player-of-the-season-recognition |access-date=31 May 2023 |work=Leicester City Football Club |date=31 May 2023}}</ref> |- ||[[2023–24 in English football|2023–24]]||{{flagicon|England}} [[Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall]]<ref name="POTS2324">{{cite news |url=https://www.lcfc.com/news/3990607/award-braces-for-dewsbury-hall--rantala |title=Award Braces For Dewsbury-Hall & Rantala |website=Leicester City F.C. |date=30 April 2024 |access-date=1 May 2024}}</ref> |- ||[[2024–25 in English football|2024–25]]||{{flagicon|England}} [[Jamie Vardy]]<ref name="POTS2425">{{cite news |url=https://www.lcfc.com/pages/en/media-article/jamie-vardy-player-of-the-season-lcfc-leicester-city-awards |title=Vardy Crowned Player Of The Season On Landmark Day |website=Leicester City F.C. |date=19 May 2025}}</ref> |} {{col-end}}

===English Hall of Fame Members=== The following have played for Leicester City and have been inducted into the [[English Football Hall of Fame]]: * {{Flagicon|ENG}} [[Gordon Banks]] 2002 (Inaugural Inductee)<ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/2530733.stm |title=English football's finest honoured |publisher=BBC Sport |date=30 November 2002 |access-date=12 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731082719/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/2530733.stm |archive-date=31 July 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> * {{Flagicon|ENG}} [[Peter Shilton]] 2002 (Inaugural Inductee)<ref name="autogenerated2"/> * {{Flagicon|ENG}} [[Gary Lineker]] 2003<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/football_focus/3226950.stm |title=Football Focus | Robson joins Hall of Fame |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 December 2003 |access-date=12 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051105215339/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/football_focus/3226950.stm |archive-date=5 November 2005 |url-status=live}}</ref> * {{Flagicon|ENG}} [[Don Revie]] 2004 (Inducted as a manager)<ref>{{cite web |last=Riach |first=James |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11715/6820302/revie-remembered |title=Revie remembered |publisher=Sky Sports |access-date=12 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610092429/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11715/6820302/revie-remembered |archive-date=10 June 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> * {{Flagicon|SCO}} [[Frank McLintock]] 2009<ref>{{cite news |author=Stephen Halliday |url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/competitions/premiership/football-hall-of-fame-pat-stanton-and-gordon-mcqueen-among-five-new-inductees-1-2628476 |title=Football Hall of Fame: Pat Stanton and Gordon McQueen among five new inductees |newspaper=[[The Scotsman]] |date=12 November 2012 |access-date=12 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604041843/http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/competitions/premiership/football-hall-of-fame-pat-stanton-and-gordon-mcqueen-among-five-new-inductees-1-2628476 |archive-date=4 June 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/halloffame/frank-mclintock|title=Frank McLintock|publisher=National Football Museum|access-date=10 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312061555/http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/halloffame/frank-mclintock|archive-date=12 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Football League 100 Legends=== The [[Football League 100 Legends]] is a list of "100 legendary football players" produced by [[The Football League]] in 1998, to celebrate the 100th season of league football.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/144986.stm |title=Football | Legends list in full |publisher=BBC News |date=5 August 1998 |access-date=6 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112220804/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/144986.stm |archive-date=12 January 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> The list also included [[Premier League]] players, and the following former Leicester City players were included:<ref name="autogenerated1"/> * {{Flagicon|ENG}} [[Arthur Rowley]] * {{Flagicon|ENG}} [[Gordon Banks]] * {{Flagicon|SCO}} [[Frank McLintock]] * {{Flagicon|ENG}} [[Peter Shilton]] * {{Flagicon|ENG}} [[Gary Lineker]]

===Players with over 300 appearances for Leicester=== Includes competitive appearances only. Current players in bold. {{updated|18 May 2025}}<ref name="OFAF"/><ref name="Most Appearances" /> {{div col|colwidth=19em}} * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Graham Cross]] 600 * {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Adam Black (footballer born 1898)|Adam Black]] 557 * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Jamie Vardy]] 500 * {{flagicon|DEN}} [[Kasper Schmeichel]] 479 * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Hugh Adcock]] 460 * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Mark Wallington (footballer)|Mark Wallington]] 460 * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Steve Walsh (footballer)|Steve Walsh]] 450 * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Arthur Chandler (footballer)|Arthur Chandler]] 419 * {{flagicon|SCO}} [[John Sjoberg]] 414 * {{flagicon|WAL}} [[Mal Griffiths]] 409 * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Steve Whitworth]] 401 * {{flagicon|WAL}} [[Andy King (footballer, born 1988)|Andy King]] 379 * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Sep Smith]] 373 * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Mike Stringfellow]] 370 * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Richie Norman]] 365 * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Gordon Banks]] 356 * {{flagicon|NIR}} [[John O'Neill (Northern Ireland footballer)|John O'Neill]] 345 * {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Dave Gibson (Scottish footballer)|Dave Gibson]] 339 * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Peter Shilton]] 339 * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Colin Appleton]] 333 * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Dennis Rofe]] 324 * {{flagicon|JAM}} [[Wes Morgan]] 323 * {{flagicon|NIR}} [[Paul Ramsey (footballer)|Paul Ramsey]] 322 * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Arthur Rowley]] 321 * {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Arthur Lochhead]] 320 * {{flagicon|TUR}} [[Muzzy Izzet]] 319 * {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Ian Wilson (footballer, born 1958)|Ian Wilson]] 318 * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Derek Hines]] 317 * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Marc Albrighton]] 313 * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Lenny Glover]] 306

===Players with 50 or more goals for Leicester=== Includes competitive appearances only. Current players in bold. {{updated|18 May 2025}}<ref name="OFAF"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lcfc.com/page/Records/0,,10274~1028867,00.html |title=The official site of Leicester City Football Club |access-date=20 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120908051845/http://www.lcfc.com/page/Records/0%2C%2C10274~1028867%2C00.html |archive-date= 8 September 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxeshistory.co.uk/players.php?sort%3Da |title=Players |access-date=4 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130712053754/http://www.foxeshistory.co.uk/players.php?sort=a |archive-date=12 July 2013 }}</ref> {{div col|colwidth=18em}} * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Arthur Chandler (footballer)|Arthur Chandler]] 273 * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Arthur Rowley]] 265 * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Jamie Vardy]] 200 * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Ernie Hine]] 156 * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Derek Hines]] 117 * {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Arthur Lochhead]] 114 * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Gary Lineker]] 103 * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Mike Stringfellow]] 97 * {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Johnny Duncan (footballer)|Johnny Duncan]] 95 * {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Jimmy Walsh (footballer, born 1930)|Jimmy Walsh]] 91 * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Jack Lee (footballer, born 1920)|Jack Lee]] 84 * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Alan Smith (footballer, born 1962)|Alan Smith]] 84 * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Frank Worthington]] 78 * {{flagicon|WAL}} [[Mal Griffiths]] 76 * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Ken Keyworth]] 76 * {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Danny Liddle]] 71 * {{flagicon|ENG}} Arthur Maw 64 * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Matty Fryatt]] 62 * {{flagicon|WAL}} [[Andy King (footballer, born 1988)|Andy King]] 62 * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Steve Walsh (footballer)|Steve Walsh]] 62 * {{flagicon|NGR}} [[Kelechi Iheanacho]] 61 * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Steve Lynex]] 60 * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[David Nugent]] 59 * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Fred Shinton]] 58 * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Jack Bowers]] 56 * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[James Maddison]] 55 * {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Dave Gibson (Scottish footballer)|Dave Gibson]] 53 * {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Jackie Sinclair]] 53 * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Hugh Adcock]] 52 * {{flagicon|ENG}} [[George Dewis]] 51 * {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Gary McAllister]] 51 {{div col end}}

==Honours== {{see also|List of Leicester City F.C. records and statistics#Honours}} [[File:LCFC lift the Premier League Trophy (26943755296) (cropped).jpg|thumb|Leicester City players lifting the [[2015–16 Premier League]] trophy.]]

Leicester City are currently one of five clubs, including [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]], [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]], [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] and [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], to have won the [[Premier League]], [[FA Cup]] and [[EFL Cup|League Cup]] since 2000. Since the start of the millennium, they are the 6th most successful club in [[English football]] and one of 14 clubs to have won all four major domestic competitions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lcfc.com/history/honours/|title=Honours | Leicester City|website=lcfc.com}}</ref> The club also hold the record for the [[List of teams promoted from the English Football League Championship and predecessors|most second division titles]] with eight.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lcfc.com/news/3989620/leicester-city-champions|title=Leicester City: Champions!|website=Leicester City F.C.|date=29 April 2024}}</ref>

'''League''' *[[Football League First Division|First Division]] / [[Premier League]] (level 1) **Champions: [[2015–16 Premier League|2015–16]] **Runners-up: [[1928–29 Football League|1928–29]] *[[Football League Second Division|Second Division]] / [[Football League First Division|First Division]] / [[EFL Championship|Championship]] (level 2) **Champions (8, record): [[1924–25 Football League#Second Division|1924–25]], [[1936–37 Football League#Second Division|1936–37]], [[1953–54 Football League#Second Division|1953–54]], [[1956–57 Football League#Second Division|1956–57]], [[1970–71 Football League#Second Division|1970–71]], [[1979–80 Football League#Second Division|1979–80]], [[2013–14 Football League Championship|2013–14]], [[2023–24 EFL Championship|2023–24]] **Runners-up: [[1907–08 Football League#Second Division|1907–08]], [[2002–03 Football League#First Division|2002–03]] **Play-off winners: [[1994 Football League play-offs#First Division|1994]], [[1996 Football League play-offs#First Division|1996]] *[[EFL League One|League One]] (level 3) **Champions: [[2008–09 Football League One|2008–09]]

==Notes== {{reflist|group=nb}}

==References== {{reflist}}

==Further reading== {{refbegin}} * Smith, Dave; Taylor, Paul (2001). ''Of Fossils and Foxes: The Official Definitive History of Leicester City Football Club''. {{ISBN|978-1-899538-21-8}}. * Smith, Dave; Taylor, Paul (1995). ''The Foxes Alphabet: Complete Who's Who of Leicester City Football Club''. {{ISBN|978-1-899538-06-5}}. * Leicester City FC, ''The Official History of Leicester City Football Club'' DVD (2003) (out of print). {{EAN|5035593200013}}. * Hutchinson, John (2014). ''From Shed to Stadium: Illustrated history of LCFC''. {{ISBN|978-1-909872-18-9}}. * Hutchinson, John; Plumb, Neil; O'Donnell, Rob (2015). ''Leicester City Classic Shirts 1949–2016''. {{ISBN|978-1-909872-76-9}}. {{Refend}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} * {{Official website}}

=== Independent websites === * {{BBC football info|leicester-city}} * [https://www.skysports.com/leicester-city Leicester City] at Sky Sports * [https://www.premierleague.com/clubs/26/Leicester-City/overview Leicester City FC] at Premier League * [https://www.uefa.com/nationalassociations/teams/53577--leicester/ Leicester City FC] at [[UEFA]]

{{Leicester City F.C.}} {{Premier League}} {{EFL Championship}} {{EFL League One}} {{Laureus Spirit of Sport Award}} {{Authority control}}

[[Category:Leicester City F.C.]] [[Category:Men's football clubs in England]] [[Category:Premier League clubs]] [[Category:Sport in Leicester]] [[Category:Association football clubs established in 1884]] [[Category:EFL Cup winners]] [[Category:Midland Football League (1889)]] [[Category:English Football League clubs]] [[Category:1884 establishments in England]] [[Category:Football clubs in Leicestershire]] [[Category:Companies that have entered administration in the United Kingdom]] [[Category:FA Cup winners]] [[Category:Professional football clubs in England]]