diff --git a/pkg/api/pod/util.go b/pkg/api/pod/util.go
index 3f485aad1ee..bf14aceed93 100644
--- a/pkg/api/pod/util.go
+++ b/pkg/api/pod/util.go
@@ -46,11 +46,7 @@ const AllContainers ContainerType = (InitContainers | Containers | EphemeralCont
 // AllFeatureEnabledContainers returns a ContainerType mask which includes all container
 // types except for the ones guarded by feature gate.
 func AllFeatureEnabledContainers() ContainerType {
-	containerType := AllContainers
-	if !utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate.Enabled(features.EphemeralContainers) {
-		containerType &= ^EphemeralContainers
-	}
-	return containerType
+	return AllContainers
 }
 
 // ContainerVisitor is called with each container spec, and returns true
@@ -529,10 +525,6 @@ func dropDisabledFields(
 		}
 	}
 
-	if !utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate.Enabled(features.EphemeralContainers) && !ephemeralContainersInUse(oldPodSpec) {
-		podSpec.EphemeralContainers = nil
-	}
-
 	if !utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate.Enabled(features.ProbeTerminationGracePeriod) && !probeGracePeriodInUse(oldPodSpec) {
 		// Set pod-level terminationGracePeriodSeconds to nil if the feature is disabled and it is not used
 		VisitContainers(podSpec, AllContainers, func(c *api.Container, containerType ContainerType) bool {
@@ -654,13 +646,6 @@ func nodeTaintsPolicyInUse(podSpec *api.PodSpec) bool {
 	return false
 }
 
-func ephemeralContainersInUse(podSpec *api.PodSpec) bool {
-	if podSpec == nil {
-		return false
-	}
-	return len(podSpec.EphemeralContainers) > 0
-}
-
 // procMountInUse returns true if the pod spec is non-nil and has a SecurityContext's ProcMount field set to a non-default value
 func procMountInUse(podSpec *api.PodSpec) bool {
 	if podSpec == nil {
diff --git a/pkg/api/pod/util_test.go b/pkg/api/pod/util_test.go
index 4e95e70a0e5..130d7c79286 100644
--- a/pkg/api/pod/util_test.go
+++ b/pkg/api/pod/util_test.go
@@ -39,11 +39,10 @@ import (
 func TestVisitContainers(t *testing.T) {
 	setAllFeatureEnabledContainersDuringTest := ContainerType(0)
 	testCases := []struct {
-		desc                       string
-		spec                       *api.PodSpec
-		wantContainers             []string
-		mask                       ContainerType
-		ephemeralContainersEnabled bool
+		desc           string
+		spec           *api.PodSpec
+		wantContainers []string
+		mask           ContainerType
 	}{
 		{
 			desc:           "empty podspec",
@@ -127,25 +126,6 @@ func TestVisitContainers(t *testing.T) {
 			wantContainers: []string{"i1", "i2", "c1", "c2", "e1", "e2"},
 			mask:           AllContainers,
 		},
-		{
-			desc: "all feature enabled container types with ephemeral containers disabled",
-			spec: &api.PodSpec{
-				Containers: []api.Container{
-					{Name: "c1"},
-					{Name: "c2"},
-				},
-				InitContainers: []api.Container{
-					{Name: "i1"},
-					{Name: "i2"},
-				},
-				EphemeralContainers: []api.EphemeralContainer{
-					{EphemeralContainerCommon: api.EphemeralContainerCommon{Name: "e1"}},
-					{EphemeralContainerCommon: api.EphemeralContainerCommon{Name: "e2"}},
-				},
-			},
-			wantContainers: []string{"i1", "i2", "c1", "c2"},
-			mask:           setAllFeatureEnabledContainersDuringTest,
-		},
 		{
 			desc: "all feature enabled container types with ephemeral containers enabled",
 			spec: &api.PodSpec{
@@ -162,9 +142,8 @@ func TestVisitContainers(t *testing.T) {
 					{EphemeralContainerCommon: api.EphemeralContainerCommon{Name: "e2"}},
 				},
 			},
-			wantContainers:             []string{"i1", "i2", "c1", "c2", "e1", "e2"},
-			mask:                       setAllFeatureEnabledContainersDuringTest,
-			ephemeralContainersEnabled: true,
+			wantContainers: []string{"i1", "i2", "c1", "c2", "e1", "e2"},
+			mask:           setAllFeatureEnabledContainersDuringTest,
 		},
 		{
 			desc: "dropping fields",
@@ -189,8 +168,6 @@ func TestVisitContainers(t *testing.T) {
 
 	for _, tc := range testCases {
 		t.Run(tc.desc, func(t *testing.T) {
-			defer featuregatetesting.SetFeatureGateDuringTest(t, utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate, features.EphemeralContainers, tc.ephemeralContainersEnabled)()
-
 			if tc.mask == setAllFeatureEnabledContainersDuringTest {
 				tc.mask = AllFeatureEnabledContainers()
 			}
@@ -226,8 +203,6 @@ func TestVisitContainers(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPodSecrets(t *testing.T) {
-	defer featuregatetesting.SetFeatureGateDuringTest(t, utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate, features.EphemeralContainers, true)()
-
 	// Stub containing all possible secret references in a pod.
 	// The names of the referenced secrets match struct paths detected by reflection.
 	pod := &api.Pod{
@@ -425,8 +400,6 @@ func collectResourcePaths(t *testing.T, resourcename string, path *field.Path, n
 }
 
 func TestPodConfigmaps(t *testing.T) {
-	defer featuregatetesting.SetFeatureGateDuringTest(t, utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate, features.EphemeralContainers, true)()
-
 	// Stub containing all possible ConfigMap references in a pod.
 	// The names of the referenced ConfigMaps match struct paths detected by reflection.
 	pod := &api.Pod{
@@ -1023,95 +996,6 @@ func TestDropProbeGracePeriod(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-func TestDropEphemeralContainers(t *testing.T) {
-	podWithEphemeralContainers := func() *api.Pod {
-		return &api.Pod{
-			Spec: api.PodSpec{
-				RestartPolicy:       api.RestartPolicyNever,
-				EphemeralContainers: []api.EphemeralContainer{{EphemeralContainerCommon: api.EphemeralContainerCommon{Name: "container1", Image: "testimage"}}},
-			},
-		}
-	}
-	podWithoutEphemeralContainers := func() *api.Pod {
-		return &api.Pod{
-			Spec: api.PodSpec{
-				RestartPolicy: api.RestartPolicyNever,
-			},
-		}
-	}
-
-	podInfo := []struct {
-		description            string
-		hasEphemeralContainers bool
-		pod                    func() *api.Pod
-	}{
-		{
-			description:            "has ephemeral containers",
-			hasEphemeralContainers: true,
-			pod:                    podWithEphemeralContainers,
-		},
-		{
-			description:            "does not have ephemeral containers",
-			hasEphemeralContainers: false,
-			pod:                    podWithoutEphemeralContainers,
-		},
-		{
-			description:            "is nil",
-			hasEphemeralContainers: false,
-			pod:                    func() *api.Pod { return nil },
-		},
-	}
-
-	for _, enabled := range []bool{true, false} {
-		for _, oldPodInfo := range podInfo {
-			for _, newPodInfo := range podInfo {
-				oldPodHasEphemeralContainers, oldPod := oldPodInfo.hasEphemeralContainers, oldPodInfo.pod()
-				newPodHasEphemeralContainers, newPod := newPodInfo.hasEphemeralContainers, newPodInfo.pod()
-				if newPod == nil {
-					continue
-				}
-
-				t.Run(fmt.Sprintf("feature enabled=%v, old pod %v, new pod %v", enabled, oldPodInfo.description, newPodInfo.description), func(t *testing.T) {
-					defer featuregatetesting.SetFeatureGateDuringTest(t, utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate, features.EphemeralContainers, enabled)()
-
-					var oldPodSpec *api.PodSpec
-					if oldPod != nil {
-						oldPodSpec = &oldPod.Spec
-					}
-					dropDisabledFields(&newPod.Spec, nil, oldPodSpec, nil)
-
-					// old pod should never be changed
-					if !reflect.DeepEqual(oldPod, oldPodInfo.pod()) {
-						t.Errorf("old pod changed: %v", cmp.Diff(oldPod, oldPodInfo.pod()))
-					}
-
-					switch {
-					case enabled || oldPodHasEphemeralContainers:
-						// new pod should not be changed if the feature is enabled, or if the old pod had subpaths
-						if !reflect.DeepEqual(newPod, newPodInfo.pod()) {
-							t.Errorf("new pod changed: %v", cmp.Diff(newPod, newPodInfo.pod()))
-						}
-					case newPodHasEphemeralContainers:
-						// new pod should be changed
-						if reflect.DeepEqual(newPod, newPodInfo.pod()) {
-							t.Errorf("new pod was not changed")
-						}
-						// new pod should not have subpaths
-						if !reflect.DeepEqual(newPod, podWithoutEphemeralContainers()) {
-							t.Errorf("new pod had subpaths: %v", cmp.Diff(newPod, podWithoutEphemeralContainers()))
-						}
-					default:
-						// new pod should not need to be changed
-						if !reflect.DeepEqual(newPod, newPodInfo.pod()) {
-							t.Errorf("new pod changed: %v", cmp.Diff(newPod, newPodInfo.pod()))
-						}
-					}
-				})
-			}
-		}
-	}
-}
-
 func TestValidatePodDeletionCostOption(t *testing.T) {
 	testCases := []struct {
 		name                            string
diff --git a/pkg/api/v1/pod/util.go b/pkg/api/v1/pod/util.go
index 8bfc21a67f4..8cefc94641e 100644
--- a/pkg/api/v1/pod/util.go
+++ b/pkg/api/v1/pod/util.go
@@ -23,8 +23,6 @@ import (
 	v1 "k8s.io/api/core/v1"
 	metav1 "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/apis/meta/v1"
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/util/intstr"
-	utilfeature "k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/util/feature"
-	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/features"
 )
 
 // FindPort locates the container port for the given pod and portName.  If the
@@ -68,11 +66,7 @@ const AllContainers ContainerType = (InitContainers | Containers | EphemeralCont
 // AllFeatureEnabledContainers returns a ContainerType mask which includes all container
 // types except for the ones guarded by feature gate.
 func AllFeatureEnabledContainers() ContainerType {
-	containerType := AllContainers
-	if !utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate.Enabled(features.EphemeralContainers) {
-		containerType &= ^EphemeralContainers
-	}
-	return containerType
+	return AllContainers
 }
 
 // ContainerVisitor is called with each container spec, and returns true
diff --git a/pkg/api/v1/pod/util_test.go b/pkg/api/v1/pod/util_test.go
index b8e4f4e6d76..20b32206f20 100644
--- a/pkg/api/v1/pod/util_test.go
+++ b/pkg/api/v1/pod/util_test.go
@@ -29,9 +29,6 @@ import (
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/util/intstr"
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/util/sets"
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/util/validation/field"
-	utilfeature "k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/util/feature"
-	featuregatetesting "k8s.io/component-base/featuregate/testing"
-	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/features"
 )
 
 func TestFindPort(t *testing.T) {
@@ -205,11 +202,10 @@ func TestFindPort(t *testing.T) {
 func TestVisitContainers(t *testing.T) {
 	setAllFeatureEnabledContainersDuringTest := ContainerType(0)
 	testCases := []struct {
-		desc                       string
-		spec                       *v1.PodSpec
-		wantContainers             []string
-		mask                       ContainerType
-		ephemeralContainersEnabled bool
+		desc           string
+		spec           *v1.PodSpec
+		wantContainers []string
+		mask           ContainerType
 	}{
 		{
 			desc:           "empty podspec",
@@ -294,26 +290,7 @@ func TestVisitContainers(t *testing.T) {
 			mask:           AllContainers,
 		},
 		{
-			desc: "all feature enabled container types with ephemeral containers disabled",
-			spec: &v1.PodSpec{
-				Containers: []v1.Container{
-					{Name: "c1"},
-					{Name: "c2"},
-				},
-				InitContainers: []v1.Container{
-					{Name: "i1"},
-					{Name: "i2"},
-				},
-				EphemeralContainers: []v1.EphemeralContainer{
-					{EphemeralContainerCommon: v1.EphemeralContainerCommon{Name: "e1"}},
-					{EphemeralContainerCommon: v1.EphemeralContainerCommon{Name: "e2"}},
-				},
-			},
-			wantContainers: []string{"i1", "i2", "c1", "c2"},
-			mask:           setAllFeatureEnabledContainersDuringTest,
-		},
-		{
-			desc: "all feature enabled container types with ephemeral containers enabled",
+			desc: "all feature enabled container types",
 			spec: &v1.PodSpec{
 				Containers: []v1.Container{
 					{Name: "c1"},
@@ -328,9 +305,8 @@ func TestVisitContainers(t *testing.T) {
 					{EphemeralContainerCommon: v1.EphemeralContainerCommon{Name: "e2"}},
 				},
 			},
-			wantContainers:             []string{"i1", "i2", "c1", "c2", "e1", "e2"},
-			mask:                       setAllFeatureEnabledContainersDuringTest,
-			ephemeralContainersEnabled: true,
+			wantContainers: []string{"i1", "i2", "c1", "c2", "e1", "e2"},
+			mask:           setAllFeatureEnabledContainersDuringTest,
 		},
 		{
 			desc: "dropping fields",
@@ -355,8 +331,6 @@ func TestVisitContainers(t *testing.T) {
 
 	for _, tc := range testCases {
 		t.Run(tc.desc, func(t *testing.T) {
-			defer featuregatetesting.SetFeatureGateDuringTest(t, utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate, features.EphemeralContainers, tc.ephemeralContainersEnabled)()
-
 			if tc.mask == setAllFeatureEnabledContainersDuringTest {
 				tc.mask = AllFeatureEnabledContainers()
 			}
@@ -392,8 +366,6 @@ func TestVisitContainers(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPodSecrets(t *testing.T) {
-	defer featuregatetesting.SetFeatureGateDuringTest(t, utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate, features.EphemeralContainers, true)()
-
 	// Stub containing all possible secret references in a pod.
 	// The names of the referenced secrets match struct paths detected by reflection.
 	pod := &v1.Pod{
@@ -591,8 +563,6 @@ func collectResourcePaths(t *testing.T, resourcename string, path *field.Path, n
 }
 
 func TestPodConfigmaps(t *testing.T) {
-	defer featuregatetesting.SetFeatureGateDuringTest(t, utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate, features.EphemeralContainers, true)()
-
 	// Stub containing all possible ConfigMap references in a pod.
 	// The names of the referenced ConfigMaps match struct paths detected by reflection.
 	pod := &v1.Pod{
diff --git a/pkg/apis/apps/validation/validation_test.go b/pkg/apis/apps/validation/validation_test.go
index 6d34ea5a532..99147f00e9f 100644
--- a/pkg/apis/apps/validation/validation_test.go
+++ b/pkg/apis/apps/validation/validation_test.go
@@ -2396,8 +2396,6 @@ func TestValidateDaemonSetUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestValidateDaemonSet(t *testing.T) {
-	defer featuregatetesting.SetFeatureGateDuringTest(t, utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate, features.EphemeralContainers, true)()
-
 	validSelector := map[string]string{"a": "b"}
 	validPodTemplate := api.PodTemplate{
 		Template: api.PodTemplateSpec{
@@ -2660,8 +2658,6 @@ func validDeployment() *apps.Deployment {
 }
 
 func TestValidateDeployment(t *testing.T) {
-	defer featuregatetesting.SetFeatureGateDuringTest(t, utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate, features.EphemeralContainers, true)()
-
 	successCases := []*apps.Deployment{
 		validDeployment(),
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/apis/core/pods/helpers.go b/pkg/apis/core/pods/helpers.go
index e05a313a1f1..71810c5005c 100644
--- a/pkg/apis/core/pods/helpers.go
+++ b/pkg/apis/core/pods/helpers.go
@@ -20,9 +20,7 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/util/validation/field"
-	utilfeature "k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/util/feature"
 	api "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/core"
-	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/features"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/fieldpath"
 )
 
@@ -47,12 +45,10 @@ func VisitContainersWithPath(podSpec *api.PodSpec, specPath *field.Path, visitor
 			return false
 		}
 	}
-	if utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate.Enabled(features.EphemeralContainers) {
-		fldPath = specPath.Child("ephemeralContainers")
-		for i := range podSpec.EphemeralContainers {
-			if !visitor((*api.Container)(&podSpec.EphemeralContainers[i].EphemeralContainerCommon), fldPath.Index(i)) {
-				return false
-			}
+	fldPath = specPath.Child("ephemeralContainers")
+	for i := range podSpec.EphemeralContainers {
+		if !visitor((*api.Container)(&podSpec.EphemeralContainers[i].EphemeralContainerCommon), fldPath.Index(i)) {
+			return false
 		}
 	}
 	return true
diff --git a/pkg/apis/core/pods/helpers_test.go b/pkg/apis/core/pods/helpers_test.go
index 1a357301b93..5552a55a720 100644
--- a/pkg/apis/core/pods/helpers_test.go
+++ b/pkg/apis/core/pods/helpers_test.go
@@ -21,15 +21,10 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/util/validation/field"
-	utilfeature "k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/util/feature"
-	featuregatetesting "k8s.io/component-base/featuregate/testing"
 	api "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/core"
-	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/features"
 )
 
 func TestVisitContainersWithPath(t *testing.T) {
-	defer featuregatetesting.SetFeatureGateDuringTest(t, utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate, features.EphemeralContainers, true)()
-
 	testCases := []struct {
 		description string
 		path        *field.Path
diff --git a/pkg/apis/core/validation/validation_test.go b/pkg/apis/core/validation/validation_test.go
index ff7bc068445..0feda38c954 100644
--- a/pkg/apis/core/validation/validation_test.go
+++ b/pkg/apis/core/validation/validation_test.go
@@ -11485,8 +11485,6 @@ func makeValidService() core.Service {
 }
 
 func TestValidatePodEphemeralContainersUpdate(t *testing.T) {
-	defer featuregatetesting.SetFeatureGateDuringTest(t, utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate, features.EphemeralContainers, true)()
-
 	makePod := func(ephemeralContainers []core.EphemeralContainer) *core.Pod {
 		return &core.Pod{
 			ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
@@ -20312,7 +20310,6 @@ func TestValidateWindowsHostProcessPod(t *testing.T) {
 	for _, testCase := range testCases {
 		t.Run(testCase.name, func(t *testing.T) {
 			defer featuregatetesting.SetFeatureGateDuringTest(t, utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate, features.WindowsHostProcessContainers, testCase.featureEnabled)()
-			defer featuregatetesting.SetFeatureGateDuringTest(t, utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate, features.EphemeralContainers, true)()
 
 			opts := PodValidationOptions{AllowWindowsHostProcessField: testCase.featureEnabled}
 
diff --git a/pkg/kubelet/container/helpers_test.go b/pkg/kubelet/container/helpers_test.go
index 9e894b2072f..fcd5b6fb6ea 100644
--- a/pkg/kubelet/container/helpers_test.go
+++ b/pkg/kubelet/container/helpers_test.go
@@ -26,9 +26,6 @@ import (
 
 	v1 "k8s.io/api/core/v1"
 	metav1 "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/apis/meta/v1"
-	utilfeature "k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/util/feature"
-	featuregatetesting "k8s.io/component-base/featuregate/testing"
-	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/features"
 )
 
 func TestEnvVarsToMap(t *testing.T) {
@@ -326,7 +323,6 @@ func TestExpandVolumeMountsWithSubpath(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestGetContainerSpec(t *testing.T) {
-	defer featuregatetesting.SetFeatureGateDuringTest(t, utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate, features.EphemeralContainers, true)()
 	for _, tc := range []struct {
 		name          string
 		havePod       *v1.Pod
diff --git a/pkg/kubelet/container/ref.go b/pkg/kubelet/container/ref.go
index e4f860378a1..3d84a963e59 100644
--- a/pkg/kubelet/container/ref.go
+++ b/pkg/kubelet/container/ref.go
@@ -20,10 +20,8 @@ import (
 	"fmt"
 
 	v1 "k8s.io/api/core/v1"
-	utilfeature "k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/util/feature"
 	ref "k8s.io/client-go/tools/reference"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/api/legacyscheme"
-	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/features"
 )
 
 // ImplicitContainerPrefix is a container name prefix that will indicate that container was started implicitly (like the pod infra container).
@@ -67,15 +65,13 @@ func fieldPath(pod *v1.Pod, container *v1.Container) (string, error) {
 			return fmt.Sprintf("spec.initContainers{%s}", here.Name), nil
 		}
 	}
-	if utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate.Enabled(features.EphemeralContainers) {
-		for i := range pod.Spec.EphemeralContainers {
-			here := &pod.Spec.EphemeralContainers[i]
-			if here.Name == container.Name {
-				if here.Name == "" {
-					return fmt.Sprintf("spec.ephemeralContainers[%d]", i), nil
-				}
-				return fmt.Sprintf("spec.ephemeralContainers{%s}", here.Name), nil
+	for i := range pod.Spec.EphemeralContainers {
+		here := &pod.Spec.EphemeralContainers[i]
+		if here.Name == container.Name {
+			if here.Name == "" {
+				return fmt.Sprintf("spec.ephemeralContainers[%d]", i), nil
 			}
+			return fmt.Sprintf("spec.ephemeralContainers{%s}", here.Name), nil
 		}
 	}
 	return "", fmt.Errorf("container %q not found in pod %s/%s", container.Name, pod.Namespace, pod.Name)
diff --git a/pkg/kubelet/kubelet_pods.go b/pkg/kubelet/kubelet_pods.go
index a69558261e8..3ca002f458e 100644
--- a/pkg/kubelet/kubelet_pods.go
+++ b/pkg/kubelet/kubelet_pods.go
@@ -1221,7 +1221,7 @@ func (kl *Kubelet) validateContainerLogStatus(podName string, podStatus *v1.PodS
 	if !found {
 		cStatus, found = podutil.GetContainerStatus(podStatus.InitContainerStatuses, containerName)
 	}
-	if !found && utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate.Enabled(features.EphemeralContainers) {
+	if !found {
 		cStatus, found = podutil.GetContainerStatus(podStatus.EphemeralContainerStatuses, containerName)
 	}
 	if !found {
@@ -1602,23 +1602,21 @@ func (kl *Kubelet) convertStatusToAPIStatus(pod *v1.Pod, podStatus *kubecontaine
 		len(pod.Spec.InitContainers) > 0,
 		true,
 	)
-	if utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate.Enabled(features.EphemeralContainers) {
-		var ecSpecs []v1.Container
-		for i := range pod.Spec.EphemeralContainers {
-			ecSpecs = append(ecSpecs, v1.Container(pod.Spec.EphemeralContainers[i].EphemeralContainerCommon))
-		}
-
-		// #80875: By now we've iterated podStatus 3 times. We could refactor this to make a single
-		// pass through podStatus.ContainerStatuses
-		apiPodStatus.EphemeralContainerStatuses = kl.convertToAPIContainerStatuses(
-			pod, podStatus,
-			oldPodStatus.EphemeralContainerStatuses,
-			ecSpecs,
-			len(pod.Spec.InitContainers) > 0,
-			false,
-		)
+	var ecSpecs []v1.Container
+	for i := range pod.Spec.EphemeralContainers {
+		ecSpecs = append(ecSpecs, v1.Container(pod.Spec.EphemeralContainers[i].EphemeralContainerCommon))
 	}
 
+	// #80875: By now we've iterated podStatus 3 times. We could refactor this to make a single
+	// pass through podStatus.ContainerStatuses
+	apiPodStatus.EphemeralContainerStatuses = kl.convertToAPIContainerStatuses(
+		pod, podStatus,
+		oldPodStatus.EphemeralContainerStatuses,
+		ecSpecs,
+		len(pod.Spec.InitContainers) > 0,
+		false,
+	)
+
 	return &apiPodStatus
 }
 
diff --git a/pkg/kubelet/kuberuntime/kuberuntime_container.go b/pkg/kubelet/kuberuntime/kuberuntime_container.go
index 1ea7723f813..eaa85c39f13 100644
--- a/pkg/kubelet/kuberuntime/kuberuntime_container.go
+++ b/pkg/kubelet/kuberuntime/kuberuntime_container.go
@@ -46,9 +46,7 @@ import (
 	kubetypes "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/types"
 	utilruntime "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/util/runtime"
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/util/sets"
-	utilfeature "k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/util/feature"
 	runtimeapi "k8s.io/cri-api/pkg/apis/runtime/v1"
-	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/features"
 	kubecontainer "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/kubelet/container"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/kubelet/cri/remote"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/kubelet/events"
@@ -120,7 +118,7 @@ func ephemeralContainerStartSpec(ec *v1.EphemeralContainer) *startSpec {
 // usually isn't a problem since ephemeral containers aren't allowed at pod creation time.
 // This always returns nil when the EphemeralContainers feature is disabled.
 func (s *startSpec) getTargetID(podStatus *kubecontainer.PodStatus) (*kubecontainer.ContainerID, error) {
-	if s.ephemeralContainer == nil || s.ephemeralContainer.TargetContainerName == "" || !utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate.Enabled(features.EphemeralContainers) {
+	if s.ephemeralContainer == nil || s.ephemeralContainer.TargetContainerName == "" {
 		return nil, nil
 	}
 
diff --git a/pkg/kubelet/kuberuntime/kuberuntime_container_linux_test.go b/pkg/kubelet/kuberuntime/kuberuntime_container_linux_test.go
index 29d0bbfc9b4..307a40d0188 100644
--- a/pkg/kubelet/kuberuntime/kuberuntime_container_linux_test.go
+++ b/pkg/kubelet/kuberuntime/kuberuntime_container_linux_test.go
@@ -520,7 +520,6 @@ func TestGetHugepageLimitsFromResources(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestGenerateLinuxContainerConfigNamespaces(t *testing.T) {
-	defer featuregatetesting.SetFeatureGateDuringTest(t, utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate, features.EphemeralContainers, true)()
 	_, _, m, err := createTestRuntimeManager()
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("error creating test RuntimeManager: %v", err)
diff --git a/pkg/kubelet/kuberuntime/kuberuntime_container_test.go b/pkg/kubelet/kuberuntime/kuberuntime_container_test.go
index 91d73097611..115b0a6f676 100644
--- a/pkg/kubelet/kuberuntime/kuberuntime_container_test.go
+++ b/pkg/kubelet/kuberuntime/kuberuntime_container_test.go
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@ limitations under the License.
 package kuberuntime
 
 import (
-	"fmt"
 	"io/ioutil"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
@@ -32,10 +31,7 @@ import (
 	metav1 "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/apis/meta/v1"
 
 	v1 "k8s.io/api/core/v1"
-	utilfeature "k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/util/feature"
-	featuregatetesting "k8s.io/component-base/featuregate/testing"
 	runtimeapi "k8s.io/cri-api/pkg/apis/runtime/v1"
-	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/features"
 	kubecontainer "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/kubelet/container"
 	containertest "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/kubelet/container/testing"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/kubelet/lifecycle"
@@ -405,23 +401,12 @@ func TestStartSpec(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 	} {
 		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			defer featuregatetesting.SetFeatureGateDuringTest(t, utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate, features.EphemeralContainers, true)()
 			if got, err := tc.spec.getTargetID(podStatus); err != nil {
 				t.Fatalf("%v: getTargetID got unexpected error: %v", t.Name(), err)
 			} else if diff := cmp.Diff(tc.want, got); diff != "" {
 				t.Errorf("%v: getTargetID got unexpected result. diff:\n%v", t.Name(), diff)
 			}
 		})
-
-		// Test with feature disabled in self-contained section which can be removed when feature flag is removed.
-		t.Run(fmt.Sprintf("%s (disabled)", tc.name), func(t *testing.T) {
-			defer featuregatetesting.SetFeatureGateDuringTest(t, utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate, features.EphemeralContainers, false)()
-			if got, err := tc.spec.getTargetID(podStatus); err != nil {
-				t.Fatalf("%v: getTargetID got unexpected error: %v", t.Name(), err)
-			} else if got != nil {
-				t.Errorf("%v: getTargetID got: %v, wanted nil", t.Name(), got)
-			}
-		})
 	}
 }
 
diff --git a/pkg/kubelet/kuberuntime/kuberuntime_manager.go b/pkg/kubelet/kuberuntime/kuberuntime_manager.go
index 6b2761a38e1..dedb35042a3 100644
--- a/pkg/kubelet/kuberuntime/kuberuntime_manager.go
+++ b/pkg/kubelet/kuberuntime/kuberuntime_manager.go
@@ -578,14 +578,12 @@ func (m *kubeGenericRuntimeManager) computePodActions(pod *v1.Pod, podStatus *ku
 	}
 
 	// Ephemeral containers may be started even if initialization is not yet complete.
-	if utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate.Enabled(features.EphemeralContainers) {
-		for i := range pod.Spec.EphemeralContainers {
-			c := (*v1.Container)(&pod.Spec.EphemeralContainers[i].EphemeralContainerCommon)
+	for i := range pod.Spec.EphemeralContainers {
+		c := (*v1.Container)(&pod.Spec.EphemeralContainers[i].EphemeralContainerCommon)
 
-			// Ephemeral Containers are never restarted
-			if podStatus.FindContainerStatusByName(c.Name) == nil {
-				changes.EphemeralContainersToStart = append(changes.EphemeralContainersToStart, i)
-			}
+		// Ephemeral Containers are never restarted
+		if podStatus.FindContainerStatusByName(c.Name) == nil {
+			changes.EphemeralContainersToStart = append(changes.EphemeralContainersToStart, i)
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -914,10 +912,8 @@ func (m *kubeGenericRuntimeManager) SyncPod(pod *v1.Pod, podStatus *kubecontaine
 	// These are started "prior" to init containers to allow running ephemeral containers even when there
 	// are errors starting an init container. In practice init containers will start first since ephemeral
 	// containers cannot be specified on pod creation.
-	if utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate.Enabled(features.EphemeralContainers) {
-		for _, idx := range podContainerChanges.EphemeralContainersToStart {
-			start("ephemeral container", metrics.EphemeralContainer, ephemeralContainerStartSpec(&pod.Spec.EphemeralContainers[idx]))
-		}
+	for _, idx := range podContainerChanges.EphemeralContainersToStart {
+		start("ephemeral container", metrics.EphemeralContainer, ephemeralContainerStartSpec(&pod.Spec.EphemeralContainers[idx]))
 	}
 
 	// Step 6: start the init container.
diff --git a/pkg/kubelet/kuberuntime/kuberuntime_manager_test.go b/pkg/kubelet/kuberuntime/kuberuntime_manager_test.go
index 8bec90c8f84..8e2daef2810 100644
--- a/pkg/kubelet/kuberuntime/kuberuntime_manager_test.go
+++ b/pkg/kubelet/kuberuntime/kuberuntime_manager_test.go
@@ -35,14 +35,11 @@ import (
 	metav1 "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/apis/meta/v1"
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/types"
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/util/sets"
-	utilfeature "k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/util/feature"
 	"k8s.io/client-go/util/flowcontrol"
-	featuregatetesting "k8s.io/component-base/featuregate/testing"
 	runtimeapi "k8s.io/cri-api/pkg/apis/runtime/v1"
 	apitest "k8s.io/cri-api/pkg/apis/testing"
 	podutil "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/api/v1/pod"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/credentialprovider"
-	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/features"
 	kubecontainer "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/kubelet/container"
 	containertest "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/kubelet/container/testing"
 	proberesults "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/kubelet/prober/results"
@@ -490,9 +487,6 @@ func TestGetPods(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestKillPod(t *testing.T) {
-	// Tests that KillPod also kills Ephemeral Containers
-	defer featuregatetesting.SetFeatureGateDuringTest(t, utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate, features.EphemeralContainers, true)()
-
 	fakeRuntime, _, m, err := createTestRuntimeManager()
 	assert.NoError(t, err)
 
@@ -1372,7 +1366,6 @@ func makeBasePodAndStatusWithInitContainers() (*v1.Pod, *kubecontainer.PodStatus
 }
 
 func TestComputePodActionsWithInitAndEphemeralContainers(t *testing.T) {
-	defer featuregatetesting.SetFeatureGateDuringTest(t, utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate, features.EphemeralContainers, true)()
 	// Make sure existing test cases pass with feature enabled
 	TestComputePodActions(t)
 	TestComputePodActionsWithInitContainers(t)
diff --git a/pkg/kubelet/pod/pod_manager.go b/pkg/kubelet/pod/pod_manager.go
index ce342ac7209..2eeb4788af8 100644
--- a/pkg/kubelet/pod/pod_manager.go
+++ b/pkg/kubelet/pod/pod_manager.go
@@ -22,8 +22,6 @@ import (
 
 	v1 "k8s.io/api/core/v1"
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/types"
-	utilfeature "k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/util/feature"
-	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/features"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/kubelet/configmap"
 	kubecontainer "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/kubelet/container"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/kubelet/metrics"
@@ -162,10 +160,6 @@ func (pm *basicManager) UpdatePod(pod *v1.Pod) {
 // updateMetrics updates the metrics surfaced by the pod manager.
 // oldPod or newPod may be nil to signify creation or deletion.
 func updateMetrics(oldPod, newPod *v1.Pod) {
-	if !utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate.Enabled(features.EphemeralContainers) {
-		return
-	}
-
 	var numEC int
 	if oldPod != nil {
 		numEC -= len(oldPod.Spec.EphemeralContainers)
diff --git a/pkg/kubelet/server/server.go b/pkg/kubelet/server/server.go
index 4c31bb6a4ac..95e9f287222 100644
--- a/pkg/kubelet/server/server.go
+++ b/pkg/kubelet/server/server.go
@@ -916,7 +916,7 @@ func (s *Server) checkpoint(request *restful.Request, response *restful.Response
 			}
 		}
 	}
-	if !found && utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate.Enabled(features.EphemeralContainers) {
+	if !found {
 		for _, container := range pod.Spec.EphemeralContainers {
 			if container.Name == containerName {
 				found = true
diff --git a/pkg/registry/core/pod/storage/storage.go b/pkg/registry/core/pod/storage/storage.go
index c426b8727ed..27af1f4d9ed 100644
--- a/pkg/registry/core/pod/storage/storage.go
+++ b/pkg/registry/core/pod/storage/storage.go
@@ -33,12 +33,10 @@ import (
 	"k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/storage"
 	storeerr "k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/storage/errors"
 	"k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/util/dryrun"
-	utilfeature "k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/util/feature"
 	policyclient "k8s.io/client-go/kubernetes/typed/policy/v1"
 	podutil "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/api/pod"
 	api "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/core"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/core/validation"
-	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/features"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/kubelet/client"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/printers"
 	printersinternal "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/printers/internalversion"
@@ -330,10 +328,6 @@ var _ = rest.Patcher(&EphemeralContainersREST{})
 
 // Get retrieves the object from the storage. It is required to support Patch.
 func (r *EphemeralContainersREST) Get(ctx context.Context, name string, options *metav1.GetOptions) (runtime.Object, error) {
-	if !utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate.Enabled(features.EphemeralContainers) {
-		return nil, errors.NewBadRequest("feature EphemeralContainers disabled")
-	}
-
 	return r.store.Get(ctx, name, options)
 }
 
@@ -350,10 +344,6 @@ func (r *EphemeralContainersREST) Destroy() {
 
 // Update alters the EphemeralContainers field in PodSpec
 func (r *EphemeralContainersREST) Update(ctx context.Context, name string, objInfo rest.UpdatedObjectInfo, createValidation rest.ValidateObjectFunc, updateValidation rest.ValidateObjectUpdateFunc, forceAllowCreate bool, options *metav1.UpdateOptions) (runtime.Object, bool, error) {
-	if !utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate.Enabled(features.EphemeralContainers) {
-		return nil, false, errors.NewBadRequest("feature EphemeralContainers disabled")
-	}
-
 	// We are explicitly setting forceAllowCreate to false in the call to the underlying storage because
 	// subresources should never allow create on update.
 	return r.store.Update(ctx, name, objInfo, createValidation, updateValidation, false, options)
diff --git a/pkg/registry/core/pod/strategy_test.go b/pkg/registry/core/pod/strategy_test.go
index 742578e734a..7e6022e7598 100644
--- a/pkg/registry/core/pod/strategy_test.go
+++ b/pkg/registry/core/pod/strategy_test.go
@@ -35,12 +35,9 @@ import (
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/runtime"
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/types"
 	genericapirequest "k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/endpoints/request"
-	utilfeature "k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/util/feature"
 	"k8s.io/client-go/tools/cache"
-	featuregatetesting "k8s.io/component-base/featuregate/testing"
 	apitesting "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/api/testing"
 	api "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/core"
-	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/features"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/kubelet/client"
 	utilpointer "k8s.io/utils/pointer"
 
@@ -355,7 +352,6 @@ func (g mockPodGetter) Get(context.Context, string, *metav1.GetOptions) (runtime
 }
 
 func TestCheckLogLocation(t *testing.T) {
-	defer featuregatetesting.SetFeatureGateDuringTest(t, utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate, features.EphemeralContainers, true)()
 	ctx := genericapirequest.NewDefaultContext()
 	fakePodName := "test"
 	tcs := []struct {
diff --git a/pkg/registry/core/rest/storage_core.go b/pkg/registry/core/rest/storage_core.go
index c9f8e039136..206e87e8909 100644
--- a/pkg/registry/core/rest/storage_core.go
+++ b/pkg/registry/core/rest/storage_core.go
@@ -36,13 +36,11 @@ import (
 	genericapiserver "k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/server"
 	serverstorage "k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/server/storage"
 	"k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/storage/etcd3"
-	utilfeature "k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/util/feature"
 	policyclient "k8s.io/client-go/kubernetes/typed/policy/v1"
 	restclient "k8s.io/client-go/rest"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/api/legacyscheme"
 	api "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/core"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/cluster/ports"
-	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/features"
 	kubeletclient "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/kubelet/client"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/registry/core/componentstatus"
 	configmapstore "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/registry/core/configmap/storage"
@@ -291,9 +289,7 @@ func (c LegacyRESTStorageProvider) NewLegacyRESTStorage(apiResourceConfigSource
 		if podStorage.Eviction != nil {
 			storage[resource+"/eviction"] = podStorage.Eviction
 		}
-		if utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate.Enabled(features.EphemeralContainers) {
-			storage[resource+"/ephemeralcontainers"] = podStorage.EphemeralContainers
-		}
+		storage[resource+"/ephemeralcontainers"] = podStorage.EphemeralContainers
 
 	}
 	if resource := "bindings"; apiResourceConfigSource.ResourceEnabled(corev1.SchemeGroupVersion.WithResource(resource)) {
diff --git a/pkg/volume/util/util_test.go b/pkg/volume/util/util_test.go
index 715838c5e31..9b7e7559144 100644
--- a/pkg/volume/util/util_test.go
+++ b/pkg/volume/util/util_test.go
@@ -28,10 +28,7 @@ import (
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/api/resource"
 	metav1 "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/apis/meta/v1"
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/util/sets"
-	utilfeature "k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/util/feature"
-	featuregatetesting "k8s.io/component-base/featuregate/testing"
 	_ "k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/apis/core/install"
-	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/features"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/util/slice"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/volume"
 	utilptr "k8s.io/utils/pointer"
@@ -581,7 +578,6 @@ func TestMakeAbsolutePath(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestGetPodVolumeNames(t *testing.T) {
-	defer featuregatetesting.SetFeatureGateDuringTest(t, utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate, features.EphemeralContainers, true)()
 	tests := []struct {
 		name            string
 		pod             *v1.Pod
diff --git a/test/e2e/common/node/ephemeral_containers.go b/test/e2e/common/node/ephemeral_containers.go
index 066652eb1c1..69899ddf7d7 100644
--- a/test/e2e/common/node/ephemeral_containers.go
+++ b/test/e2e/common/node/ephemeral_containers.go
@@ -20,12 +20,10 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	v1 "k8s.io/api/core/v1"
-	apierrors "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/api/errors"
 	metav1 "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/apis/meta/v1"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/kubelet/util/format"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/test/e2e/framework"
 	e2epod "k8s.io/kubernetes/test/e2e/framework/pod"
-	e2eskipper "k8s.io/kubernetes/test/e2e/framework/skipper"
 	imageutils "k8s.io/kubernetes/test/utils/image"
 	admissionapi "k8s.io/pod-security-admission/api"
 
@@ -69,11 +67,6 @@ var _ = SIGDescribe("Ephemeral Containers [NodeConformance]", func() {
 			},
 		}
 		err := podClient.AddEphemeralContainerSync(pod, ec, time.Minute)
-		// BEGIN TODO: Remove when EphemeralContainers feature gate is retired.
-		if apierrors.IsNotFound(err) {
-			e2eskipper.Skipf("Skipping test because EphemeralContainers feature disabled (error: %q)", err)
-		}
-		// END TODO: Remove when EphemeralContainers feature gate is retired.
 		framework.ExpectNoError(err, "Failed to patch ephemeral containers in pod %q", format.Pod(pod))
 
 		ginkgo.By("checking pod container endpoints")
diff --git a/test/e2e/framework/util.go b/test/e2e/framework/util.go
index 3429ec2ba1a..54bde0cb964 100644
--- a/test/e2e/framework/util.go
+++ b/test/e2e/framework/util.go
@@ -50,7 +50,6 @@ import (
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/util/uuid"
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/util/wait"
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/watch"
-	utilfeature "k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/util/feature"
 	"k8s.io/client-go/dynamic"
 	clientset "k8s.io/client-go/kubernetes"
 	restclient "k8s.io/client-go/rest"
@@ -58,7 +57,6 @@ import (
 	"k8s.io/client-go/tools/clientcmd"
 	clientcmdapi "k8s.io/client-go/tools/clientcmd/api"
 	watchtools "k8s.io/client-go/tools/watch"
-	"k8s.io/component-base/featuregate"
 	testutils "k8s.io/kubernetes/test/utils"
 	imageutils "k8s.io/kubernetes/test/utils/image"
 	uexec "k8s.io/utils/exec"
@@ -776,8 +774,6 @@ func (f *Framework) testContainerOutputMatcher(scenarioName string,
 type ContainerType int
 
 const (
-	// FeatureEphemeralContainers allows running an ephemeral container in pod namespaces to troubleshoot a running pod
-	FeatureEphemeralContainers featuregate.Feature = "EphemeralContainers"
 	// Containers is for normal containers
 	Containers ContainerType = 1 << iota
 	// InitContainers is for init containers
@@ -790,11 +786,7 @@ const (
 // types except for the ones guarded by feature gate.
 // Copied from pkg/api/v1/pod to avoid pulling extra dependencies
 func allFeatureEnabledContainers() ContainerType {
-	containerType := AllContainers
-	if !utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate.Enabled(FeatureEphemeralContainers) {
-		containerType &= ^EphemeralContainers
-	}
-	return containerType
+	return AllContainers
 }
 
 // ContainerVisitor is called with each container spec, and returns true
diff --git a/test/e2e/framework/volume/fixtures.go b/test/e2e/framework/volume/fixtures.go
index 54d0418a415..bba6fa05365 100644
--- a/test/e2e/framework/volume/fixtures.go
+++ b/test/e2e/framework/volume/fixtures.go
@@ -609,12 +609,6 @@ func testVolumeClient(f *framework.Framework, config TestConfig, fsGroup *int64,
 	ec.Name = "volume-ephemeral-container"
 	err = f.PodClient().AddEphemeralContainerSync(clientPod, ec, timeouts.PodStart)
 	// The API server will return NotFound for the subresource when the feature is disabled
-	// BEGIN TODO: remove after EphemeralContainers feature gate is retired
-	if apierrors.IsNotFound(err) {
-		framework.Logf("Skipping ephemeral container re-test because feature is disabled (error: %q)", err)
-		return
-	}
-	// END TODO: remove after EphemeralContainers feature gate is retired
 	framework.ExpectNoError(err, "failed to add ephemeral container for re-test")
 	testVolumeContent(f, clientPod, ec.Name, fsGroup, fsType, tests)
 }
diff --git a/test/integration/apiserver/admissionwebhook/admission_test.go b/test/integration/apiserver/admissionwebhook/admission_test.go
index eee81848208..64f612f996e 100644
--- a/test/integration/apiserver/admissionwebhook/admission_test.go
+++ b/test/integration/apiserver/admissionwebhook/admission_test.go
@@ -491,7 +491,7 @@ func testWebhookAdmission(t *testing.T, watchCache bool) {
 		// force enable all resources so we can check storage.
 		"--runtime-config=api/all=true",
 		// enable feature-gates that protect resources to check their storage, too.
-		"--feature-gates=EphemeralContainers=true",
+		// e.g. "--feature-gates=EphemeralContainers=true",
 	}, etcdConfig)
 	defer server.TearDownFn()
 
diff --git a/test/integration/pods/pods_test.go b/test/integration/pods/pods_test.go
index 7f69d6a11fe..225ff46b10e 100644
--- a/test/integration/pods/pods_test.go
+++ b/test/integration/pods/pods_test.go
@@ -23,15 +23,11 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 
 	v1 "k8s.io/api/core/v1"
-	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/api/errors"
 	metav1 "k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/apis/meta/v1"
 	"k8s.io/apimachinery/pkg/types"
-	utilfeature "k8s.io/apiserver/pkg/util/feature"
 	clientset "k8s.io/client-go/kubernetes"
 	typedv1 "k8s.io/client-go/kubernetes/typed/core/v1"
-	featuregatetesting "k8s.io/component-base/featuregate/testing"
 	kubeapiservertesting "k8s.io/kubernetes/cmd/kube-apiserver/app/testing"
-	"k8s.io/kubernetes/pkg/features"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/test/integration"
 	"k8s.io/kubernetes/test/integration/framework"
 )
@@ -190,8 +186,6 @@ func TestPodReadOnlyFilesystem(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPodCreateEphemeralContainers(t *testing.T) {
-	defer featuregatetesting.SetFeatureGateDuringTest(t, utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate, features.EphemeralContainers, true)()
-
 	// Disable ServiceAccount admission plugin as we don't have serviceaccount controller running.
 	server := kubeapiservertesting.StartTestServerOrDie(t, nil, []string{"--disable-admission-plugins=ServiceAccount"}, framework.SharedEtcd())
 	defer server.TearDownFn()
@@ -261,8 +255,6 @@ func setUpEphemeralContainers(podsClient typedv1.PodInterface, pod *v1.Pod, cont
 }
 
 func TestPodPatchEphemeralContainers(t *testing.T) {
-	defer featuregatetesting.SetFeatureGateDuringTest(t, utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate, features.EphemeralContainers, true)()
-
 	// Disable ServiceAccount admission plugin as we don't have serviceaccount controller running.
 	server := kubeapiservertesting.StartTestServerOrDie(t, nil, []string{"--disable-admission-plugins=ServiceAccount"}, framework.SharedEtcd())
 	defer server.TearDownFn()
@@ -494,8 +486,6 @@ func TestPodPatchEphemeralContainers(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestPodUpdateEphemeralContainers(t *testing.T) {
-	defer featuregatetesting.SetFeatureGateDuringTest(t, utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate, features.EphemeralContainers, true)()
-
 	// Disable ServiceAccount admission plugin as we don't have serviceaccount controller running.
 	server := kubeapiservertesting.StartTestServerOrDie(t, nil, []string{"--disable-admission-plugins=ServiceAccount"}, framework.SharedEtcd())
 	defer server.TearDownFn()
@@ -684,61 +674,3 @@ func TestPodUpdateEphemeralContainers(t *testing.T) {
 		integration.DeletePodOrErrorf(t, client, ns.Name, pod.Name)
 	}
 }
-
-// TestPodEphemeralContainersDisabled tests that the API server returns a 404 when the feature is disabled (because the subresource won't exist).
-// This validates that the feature gate is working, but kubectl also uses the 404 to guess that the feature is disabled on the server.
-func TestPodEphemeralContainersDisabled(t *testing.T) {
-	defer featuregatetesting.SetFeatureGateDuringTest(t, utilfeature.DefaultFeatureGate, features.EphemeralContainers, false)()
-
-	// Disable ServiceAccount admission plugin as we don't have serviceaccount controller running.
-	server := kubeapiservertesting.StartTestServerOrDie(t, nil, []string{"--disable-admission-plugins=ServiceAccount"}, framework.SharedEtcd())
-	defer server.TearDownFn()
-
-	client := clientset.NewForConfigOrDie(server.ClientConfig)
-
-	ns := framework.CreateNamespaceOrDie(client, "pod-ephemeral-containers-disabled", t)
-	defer framework.DeleteNamespaceOrDie(client, ns, t)
-
-	pod := &v1.Pod{
-		ObjectMeta: metav1.ObjectMeta{
-			Name: "ephemeral-container-pod",
-		},
-		Spec: v1.PodSpec{
-			Containers: []v1.Container{
-				{
-					Name:  "fake-name",
-					Image: "fakeimage",
-				},
-			},
-		},
-	}
-	pod, err := setUpEphemeralContainers(client.CoreV1().Pods(ns.Name), pod, nil)
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	defer integration.DeletePodOrErrorf(t, client, ns.Name, pod.Name)
-
-	pod.Spec.EphemeralContainers = append(pod.Spec.EphemeralContainers, v1.EphemeralContainer{
-		EphemeralContainerCommon: v1.EphemeralContainerCommon{
-			Name:                     "debugger",
-			Image:                    "debugimage",
-			ImagePullPolicy:          "Always",
-			TerminationMessagePolicy: "File",
-		},
-	})
-
-	if _, err = client.CoreV1().Pods(ns.Name).UpdateEphemeralContainers(context.TODO(), pod.Name, pod, metav1.UpdateOptions{}); err == nil {
-		t.Fatalf("got nil error when updating ephemeral containers with feature disabled, wanted %q", metav1.StatusReasonNotFound)
-	}
-
-	se, ok := err.(*errors.StatusError)
-	if !ok {
-		t.Fatalf("got error %#v, expected StatusError", err)
-	}
-	if se.ErrStatus.Reason != metav1.StatusReasonNotFound {
-		t.Errorf("got error reason %q when updating ephemeral containers with feature disabled, want %q: %#v", se.ErrStatus.Reason, metav1.StatusReasonNotFound, se)
-	}
-	if se.ErrStatus.Details.Name != "" {
-		t.Errorf("got error details with name %q, want %q: %#v", se.ErrStatus.Details.Name, "", se)
-	}
-}