2026 EFL Play-Off Schedule Confirmed as Promotion Battles Set for May Drama

2026 EFL Play-Off Schedule Confirmed as Promotion Battles Set for May Drama

The EFL have confirmed the dates for the 2025/26 Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two play-offs.

All three divisions finished their regular seasons on Saturday, while the play-off semi-finals will run from Friday, May 8 to Friday, May 15.

The three play-off finals are set for the Bank Holiday weekend of May 23, 24 and 25.

Championship

Millwall vs Hull City

The first leg of this semi-final tie will take place on Friday, May 8, with the game set to kick off at 8pm at the MKM Stadium.

Hull sneaked into the play-offs, courtesy of a 2-1 comeback against Norwich City on the final day, leapfrogging Wrexham right at the death.

However, Millwall head into this high-stakes showdown as favourites after narrowly missing out on automatic qualification, finishing a point adrift of runners-up Ipswich.

Needless to say, the Tigers must make the most of their home advantage before travelling to The Den for the return fixture against the Lions on Monday, May 11, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm.

Southampton vs Middlesbrough

Two years since beating Leeds United in the Wembley showpiece, Southampton now look to replicate those heroics, with Middlesbrough standing in their way.

The all-important first leg kicks off at 12:30pm on Saturday, May 9, at the Riverside Stadium, with Boro already notifying supporters about ticket availability ahead of the most significant games in the club’s recent history.

St Mary’s Stadium will host the return leg on Tuesday, May 12, with the match kicking off at 8pm. The winner will book their place at Wembley, although the EFL are yet to confirm the date and kick-off time for the play-off final.

League One

Lincoln City pieced together a jaw-dropping campaign in the third tier of English football, winning the title as the only side to hit a 100-point landmark, leaving second-placed Cardiff City 12 points behind.

Bolton Wanderers, Bradford City, Stevenage and Stockport County secured the remaining play-off spots after a fiercely contested final stretch to the season.

Stevenage vs Stockport County

Lamex Stadium forms the backdrop as Stevenage and Stockport go head-to-head in the first leg of the first semi-final tie on Saturday, May 9, at 8pm.

After finishing third in the regular season, Stockport are more heavily fancied to reach the final than Stevenage, who will visit Edgeley Park for the second leg on Wednesday, May 13.

The winner of this tie will lock horns with either Bolton or Bradford at Wembley on Sunday, May 24.

Bolton Wanderers vs Bradford City

Bolton’s road back to the Championship starts at the Toughsheet Community Stadium, as they meet Bradford in the first leg of the first semi-final on Saturday, May 9.

The semi-finalists will renew hostilities a week later, with the return leg scheduled for Thursday, May 14. Valley Parade sets the stage for this decisive clash, with kick-off set for 8pm.

Whoever comes out on top will have plenty of time to rest, with the play-off final taking place at Wembley on Sunday, May 24.

League Two

Bromley, Cambridge United and Milton Keynes Dons have clinched automatic promotion, leaving Grimsby Town, Salford City, Chesterfield and Notts County to fight for the remaining League One place.

Grimsby Town vs Salford City

Having won two of their last three matches against Salford at Blundell Park, Grimsby should feel confident ahead of the first leg, which comes on Sunday, May 10.

Salford will have a chance to fight back at their Peninsula Stadium on Friday, May 15, and potentially earn a place at Wembley, with the play-off final scheduled for Monday, May 25.

Chesterfield vs Notts County

Seeking the other spot in the final, Chesterfield and Notts County will trade tackles in the first leg of their semi-final showdown at SMH Group Stadium on Sunday, May 10.

However, the fate of this tie is likely to be decided in the second leg that takes place at Meadow Lane on Friday, May 15.

EFL play-offs full schedule

Championship

Play-off semi-final first legs

• Hull vs Millwall – Friday, May 8, kick-off 8pm
• Middlesbrough vs Southampton – Saturday, May 9, kick-off 12.30pm

Play-off semi-final second legs

• Millwall vs Hull – Monday, May 11, 8pm
• Southampton vs Middlesbrough – Tuesday, May 12, 8pm

Play-off final

League One

Play-off semi-final first legs

• Stevenage vs Stockport – Saturday, May 9, kick-off 3pm
• Bolton vs Bradford – Saturday, May 9, kick-off 8pm

Play-off semi-final second legs

• Stockport vs Stevenage – Wednesday, May 13, kick-off 8pm
• Bradford vs Bolton – Thursday, May 14, kick-off 8pm

Play-off final

• Sunday, May 24, Wembley Stadium

League Two

Play-off semi-final first legs

• Grimsby vs Salford – Sunday, May 10, kick-off 3pm
• Chesterfield vs Notts County – Sunday, May 10, 6pm

Play-off semi-final second legs

• Salford vs Grimsby – Friday, May 15, kick-off 7.15pm
• Notts County vs Chesterfield – Friday, May 15, kick-off 8pm

Play-off final

• Monday, May 25, Wembley Stadium