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EFL playoffs 2025-26: Schedule, results, how to watch, more as teams battle for promotion

After a gripping final day across the EFL, the 12 teams in the playoffs in the Championship, League One and League Two have seen the knockout element of their season get underway.

In the Championship, the 'spygate' scandal engulfed Middlesbrough and Southampton. Southampton advanced from the semifinal to meet Hull City in the final.

One division below, a late goal from Stockport saw them take a 1-goal lead into their return tie at home against Stevenage.

In League Two, Salford City, Grimsby, Notts County and Chesterfield will battle it out for a trip to Wembley.


Championship playoffs

Tonda Eckert's Southampton side have now gone 21 games unbeaten and are arguably the favourites to join Coventry City and Ipswich Town in the Premier League.

They emerged from the playoff semifinal against Middlesbrough amid a spying scandal to book a spot in the final, with an extra-time winner.

Hull City will meet them after dispatching Millwall in the semifinal.

Friday, May 8, 8 p.m. -- Hull City 0-0 Millwall, MKM Stadium

Saturday, May 9, 12.30 p.m. -- Middlesbrough 0-0 Southampton, Riverside Stadium

Monday, May 11, 8 p.m. -- Millwall 0-2 Hull City, The Den

Tuesday, May 12, 8 p.m. -- Southampton 2-1 AET Middlesbrough, St Mary's Stadium

Saturday, May 23, kick-off time TBC -- Southampton vs. Hull City, Championship playoff final, Wembley Stadium

League One playoffs

Just two points separate all four sides who have made the League One playoffs, and none of the teams are in particularly sparkling form.

Between them, Stockport, Bradford, Bolton and Stevenage had just six wins altogether in their last 20 matches combined going into the playoffs.

Bolton are probably narrow favourites despite losing at home on the final day to Luton.

Saturday, May 9, 3 p.m. -- Stevenage 0-1 Stockport County, Broadhall Way

Saturday, May 9, 8 p.m. -- Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Bradford City, Toughsheet Community Stadium

Wednesday, May 13, 8 p.m. -- Stockport County vs Stevenage, Edgeley Park

Thursday, May 14, 8 p.m. -- Bradford City vs Bolton Wanderers, Valley Parade

Sunday, May 24, kick-off time TBC -- League One playoff final, Wembley Stadium

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League Two playoffs

The League Two ties are similarly tight, with the four teams separated by only three points coming into the playoffs.

Sunday, May 10, 3 p.m. -- Grimsby Town 1-2 Salford City, Blundell Park

Sunday, May 10, 6 p.m. -- Chesterfield 0-1 Notts County, SMH Group Stadium

Friday, May 15, 7.15 p.m. -- Salford City vs Grimsby Town, Peninsula Stadium

Friday, May 15, 8 p.m. -- Notts County vs Chesterfield, Meadow Lane

Monday, May 25, kick-off time TBC -- League Two playoff final, Wembley Stadium

National League playoffs

After a more than dramatic finish to the regular season, it was more of the same in the playoff final as Rochdale came back from two goals down to beat Boreham Wood on penalties and secure a return to the EFL.

Sunday May 10 -- Boreham Wood 2-2 Rochdale (Rochdale win 3-1 on penalties), Wembley Stadium

How to watch the playoffs

Each playoff match will be available to watch on Sky Sports in the UK.

The broadcaster has confirmed that it will show all 15 matches on its Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football channels.

With the League One final set to take place on the same afternoon as the Premier League's final day, it is likely to be a lively bank holiday weekend.