The Championship play-offs remain the final route into the Premier League for teams that fall short of automatic promotion, with four clubs set to battle it out at the end of the 2025-26 season.
The play-offs decide the third and final promotion place from the Championship, with the sides finishing third, fourth, fifth and sixth entering a two-legged semi-final before the winners meet at Wembley for the biggest match in English football.
What has been revealed
The dates and structure for the Championship play-offs are now confirmed, with the semi-finals played over two legs and the final held at Wembley Stadium. The EFL’s end-of-season schedule also means the play-off final will take place after the regular league campaign is completed, as usual.
Championship play-offs 2026 dates
The semi-finals will be staged shortly after the final round of Championship fixtures, with the first legs followed by the return matches a few days later. The play-off final will then be held at Wembley, with the winner earning promotion to the Premier League.
Championship play-offs 2026 fixtures
The format is unchanged. The team finishing third plays the side in sixth over two legs, while fourth meets fifth, also over two legs. The higher-ranked club hosts the second leg in each tie.
Which teams will be in the Championship play-offs?
The teams that finish between third and sixth in the 2025-26 Championship table will qualify for the play-offs. The final line-up will only be confirmed once the regular season ends and the league positions are settled.
How do the Championship play-offs work?
The play-offs begin with two semi-finals, each played home and away. If the aggregate score is level after the second leg, extra time and penalties are used to decide the winner. The two semi-final winners then meet in a one-off final at Wembley, with promotion on the line.
