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When are the EFL Championship playoffs? Schedule of 2026 matches as teams battle for Premier League promotion
TL;DR
The EFL Championship playoffs for 2026 will determine the final team promoted to the Premier League. Three teams will be promoted at the end of the season, with two finishing directly and one through playoffs.
Key points
- EFL Championship playoffs determine final Premier League promotion
- Three teams promoted at the end of each season
- Two teams promoted directly based on league finish
- One team promoted through playoff system
EFL Championship playoff trophy
When are the EFL Championship playoffs? Schedule of 2026 matches as teams battle for Premier League promotion originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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.
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.
MORE:What teams have been promoted to the Premier League for the 2026/27 season?
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 onĀ Friday, May 8Ā andĀ Saturday, May 9, while the second legs will be played that following Monday and Tuesday.
Q&A
What is the schedule for the EFL Championship playoffs in 2026?
The specific dates for the EFL Championship playoffs in 2026 have not been detailed yet, but they will occur after the conclusion of the regular season.
How many teams are promoted from the EFL Championship to the Premier League?
Three teams are promoted from the EFL Championship to the Premier League each season: two directly and one through the playoffs.
What determines the third team promoted to the Premier League from the EFL Championship?
The third team promoted to the Premier League is determined through a playoff system involving the teams that finish just below the automatic promotion spots.
When does the EFL Championship regular season end for the 2025/26 season?
The exact end date of the EFL Championship regular season for 2025/26 has not been specified, but it typically concludes in early May.
