In the second tier since being relegated following financial issues back in 2016, Scott Borthwick's side can seal the title with five points across their final two matches
Durham's return to County Championship Division One has been confirmed.
Leicestershire's failure to register a batting point against Sussex in their ongoing clash at Hove means Scott Borthwick's side are assured a top-two finish in Division Two.
They will go up as champions if they accrue five points across their final two matches against Worcestershire and Leicestershire later this month.
"I knew this team had the potential to be champions and dominate this league," captain Borthwick said after last week's seven-wicket win over Sussex.
"We've played with a lot more freedom this year and attacked a lot more to try and win games of cricket. We're always trying to win and not thinking of the negative side of things. With the potential we have in the dressing room, it was always possible. The shackles were off and we've played some amazing cricket."
Opener Alex Lees has dominated with the bat in 2023 (Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Ben Raine has 51 Championship wickets and counting for Durham (Stu Forster/Getty Images)
The Running Foxes, who play the One-Day Cup final against Hampshire at Trent Bridge on Saturday (September 16) had little margin for error if Durham were to be made to wait to secure promotion.
Replying to Sussex's first-innings 262, Lewis Hill's side were 68 for 2 overnight but lost eight wickets for just 40 runs before lunch to be bowled out for just 108.
Rishi Patel top-scored with 48 but Jaydev Unadkat removed Colin Ackermann (22) in the second over of the morning to spark the collapse.
The India left-armer dismissed Umar Amin (2) before Aristides Karvelas picked up Rehan Ahmed (0) and Ben Cox (0) in successive overs.
Unadkat (3 for 23) returned to claim his third scalp of Matt Salisbury (0) to wrap up the innings and confirm Durham's success.
Collingwood called the decision to relegate Durham in 2016 "a kick in the teeth" (Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
It marks the Chester-Le-Street club's return to the top tier for the first time since they were relegated in 2016 after accepting a £3.8m bailout from the England and Wales Cricket Board, a decision then captain Paul Collingwood described as "a kick in the teeth.
Led by the Championship's leading run-scorer Alex Lees, wicketkeeper-batter Ollie Robinson, overseas batter David Bedingham, and a bowling battery containing Matthew Potts, Ben Raine - who have taken 51 wickets each - and on-loan spinner Matt Parkinson, Durham have lost just one of their 12 complete games, winning six and drawing five.
There is a four-way battle ongoing to join them in Division One next season, with Worcestershire leading the way ahead of Leicestershire, Glamorgan and Sussex.
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