The Championship play-offs are set to commence following the conclusion of the regular season, which ends on Saturday, May 2, 2026. With all matches kicking off at 12.30 PM, the excitement builds as teams ranked third to sixth prepare for the crucial final push towards Premier League promotion.
Championship Play-Offs: Key Dates
The semi-finals will provide a platform for teams to showcase their skills, taking place over several key dates:
- Semi-final first legs:
- 6th vs 3rd – Friday, May 8 (8 PM)
- 5th vs 4th – Saturday, May 9 (12.30 PM)
- Semi-final second legs:
- 3rd vs 6th – Monday, May 11 (8 PM)
- 4th vs 5th – Tuesday, May 12 (8 PM)
- Play-off final: Saturday, May 23 at Wembley Stadium
Championship Play-Offs on TV
Fans can catch all the action as every match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The play-off final will also be shown on the same network during the Bank Holiday weekend. For Sky Sports customers, matches can be streamed live through Sky Go or the Sky Sports app.
Promotion Value in the Championship
The financial stakes for the 2025/26 Championship play-offs are monumental. The winning team stands to gain a minimum of £200 million due to the lucrative nature of Premier League promotion. This substantial income stems from multiple sources:
- A share of the Premier League’s domestic TV deal, currently valued at £6.7 billion over four years.
- Centralised commercial revenue and facility fees.
- Merit payments based on league performance.
Additionally, successful clubs benefit from parachute payments if they face relegation in subsequent seasons, enhancing the promotion’s overall value. Each finalist will also receive around £2 million from the Wembley gate receipts, regardless of the match outcome.
