When are the EFL Championship playoffs? Schedule of 2026 matches as teams battle for Premier League promotion
With three teams set to earn promotion to the Premier League at the end of each season, the conclusion to the 2025/26 campaign will nominate a trio of outstanding performers to be boosted up to the English top flight.
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Two of those clubs will be selected as the top finishers in the EFL Championship at the conclusion of the season, but the third will be determined through an exciting playoff system.
The four teams that finish third through sixth will progress to the Championship playoff, a thrilling and nerve-wracking four-team mini bracket to determine the eventual winner. The final is considered the richest game in football, as the winner earns access to the massive financial provided by the English top flight.
The Sporting News details who will be involved in this year’s playoff and when the games will be played, including the famous final at Wembley Stadium.
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When are the 2026 EFL Championship playoffs?
The final day of the EFL Championship regular season is Saturday, May 2.
That means the playoffs will begin the following weekend. The first leg of the semifinals will take place on Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9, while the second legs will be played that following Monday and Tuesday.
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Then, the Championship playoff final will be held on Saturday, May 23 at Wembley Stadium.
What teams are in the 2026 EFL Championship playoffs?
At this point, it’s still tough to know who will be in the 2026 playoffs.
Coventry City have already sealed automatic promotion, so they will not be involved. There is a battle for the second spot between Ipswich Town, Millwall, and Southampton which could go down to the wire, with the two that fall short likely being left to the playoffs.
Middlesbrough are in a strong position to make the playoff as well, with the final spot also due to go down to the wire as Hull City, Wrexham, and Derby County duke it out.
Race for Championship promotion playoff
Updated as of all matches on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
| Pos. | Club | GP | Pts | W-D-L | GD |
| 2. | Ipswich Town | 42 | 76 | 21-13-8 | +29 |
| 3. | Millwall | 43 | 76 | 22-10-11 | +11 |
| 4. | Southampton | 43 | 75 | 21-12-10 | +24 |
| 5. | Middlesbrough | 43 | 73 | 20-13-10 | +20 |
| 6. | Hull City | 43 | 69 | 20-9-14 | +4 |
| 7. | Wrexham | 43 | 67 | 18-13-12 | +5 |
| 8. | Derby County | 43 | 66 | 19-9-15 | +9 |
| 9. | Norwich City | 43 | 61 | 18-7-18 | +7 |
EFL Championship playoff schedule, fixtures for 2026
The semifinals will take place the weekend of May 8, while the final will take place in late May at Wembley Stadium.
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Playoff semifinals
First leg
| Date | Time (ET) | Match | Location |
| Fri, May 8 | 3 p.m. | 6th place vs. 3rd place | TBD (6th place host) |
| Sat, May 9 | 7:30 a.m. | 5th place vs. 4th place | TBD (5th place host) |
Second leg
| Date | Time (ET) | Match | Location |
| Mon, May 11 | 3 p.m. | 3rd place vs. 6th place | TBD (3rd place host) |
| Tue, May 12 | 3 p.m. | 4th place vs. 5th place | TBD (4th place host) |
Playoff final
| Date | Time (ET) | Match | Location |
| Sat, May 23 | TBD | 3rd/6th vs. 4th/5th | Wembley Stadium (London, England) |
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