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 were supposed to meet Hull City in the playoff final but, on Tuesday evening, they were kicked out and Middlesbrough have now taken their place and will compete for a spot in the Premier League in Saturday's final.

One division below, Stockport will face Bolton Wanderers in the League One playoff final on Sunday as they both aim to secure a spot in the Championship.

In League Two, it's Salford City vs. Notts County and that match will take place at Wembley on Monday.

Meanwhile, Rochdale have already beaten Boreham Wood in the National League playoff final to secure a return to the EFL.


Championship playoffs

Although Southampton beat Middlesbrough on the pitch in extra time in their semifinal last week, they have now been expelled from the playoff final as the EFL found them guilty of spying on multiple opponents -- including Middlesbrough -- and Middlesbrough are now due to face Hull in the final at Wembley.

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, 3.30 p.m. -- Middlesbrough vs. Hull City, Championship playoff final, Wembley Stadium (Southampton expelled from playoffs over 'Spygate').

League One playoffs

Just two points separated all four sides who 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.

Stockport will take on Bolton at Wembley in the League One playoff final on Sunday, after they respectively dispatched Stevenage and Bradford City.

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 2-0 Stevenage, Edgeley Park

Thursday, May 14, 8 p.m. -- Bradford City 0-1 Bolton Wanderers, Valley Parade

Sunday, May 24, 1 p.m. -- League One playoff final, Bolton Wanderers vs. Stockport, Wembley Stadium

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League Two playoffs

Salford City will face Notts County in the League Two playoff final at Wembley on Monday.

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 2-2 Grimsby Town, Peninsula Stadium

Friday, May 15, 8 p.m. -- Notts County 0-0 Chesterfield, Meadow Lane

Monday, May 25, 3 p.m. -- Salford City vs, Notts County, 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.