The English Football League has released the official timetable for the play‑off phase of the 2025/26 season across its three top divisions – the Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two. This schedule sets out the key dates for the concluding fixtures of the regular campaign as well as the knockout rounds that will determine which clubs earn promotion to the next tier. All three divisions will wrap up their 46‑match regular seasons on Saturday 2 May 2026.
On that day the final round of league fixtures will be played, and the final league tables will be locked in, confirming which clubs have secured automatic promotion, which will miss out, and which will join the play‑off fray. The clubs finishing just outside the automatic promotion places – typically the teams placed third to sixth in the Championship and League One, and fourth to seventh in League Two – will now shift their focus to the high‑stakes play‑off series. The semi‑finals for each division are slated to be contested over two legs, with the first‑leg ties scheduled between Friday 8 May and Friday 15 May 2026. These matches will be spread across the week to accommodate broadcasting commitments and to give fans ample opportunity to attend or watch.
The exact dates for each tie will be confirmed by the respective clubs, but the window ensures that every semi‑final first leg will be played before the weekend of 15 May, followed by the return legs a few days later. Following the semi‑finals, the three division finals will be staged over the extended May Bank Holiday weekend. The Championship final will be played on Saturday 23 May, the League One final on Sunday 24 May, and the League Two final on Monday 25 May. Hosting the finals on consecutive days allows fans to potentially attend multiple matches and provides a festival atmosphere for the culmination of the season.
All three finals will be held at the iconic Wembley Stadium, offering the promoted clubs the chance to lift a trophy in front of a massive crowd. Broadcast coverage for the entire play‑off series has been secured by Sky Sports. All fifteen play‑off fixtures – six semi‑final first legs, six semi‑final second legs, and three finals – will be shown live on the network.
Subscribers can watch the action on the main Sky Sports channels, on the Sky Sports app, or via any authorized streaming partner that carries Sky’s feed. For fans who do not have a traditional Sky subscription, the league has arranged a flexible streaming option that does not require a long‑term contract, allowing casual viewers to purchase a single‑match pass or a short‑term package just for the play‑offs. In addition to the live broadcasts, Sky Sports is promoting its digital engagement channels. Supporters can follow the league’s official WhatsApp service for real‑time updates, video highlights, in‑depth analysis, and exclusive behind‑the‑scenes content throughout the play‑off period.
This service aims to keep fans connected whether they are watching on TV, on a mobile device, or simply want quick text alerts about scores and breaking news. Beyond the on‑field drama, the play‑offs present a significant financial incentive for the participating clubs. Promotion to a higher division brings increased prize money, larger television revenue shares, and greater commercial opportunities. To add extra excitement, Sky Sports is running a promotional competition called "Play Super 6" where fans can enter for free for a chance to win a share of a £250,000 prize pool.
The competition is linked to the play‑off fixtures, encouraging viewers to engage with the coverage and test their knowledge of the clubs involved. In summary, the 2025/26 EFL play‑off schedule is set as follows: regular seasons conclude on 2 May; semi‑final first legs run from 8 to 15 May; semi‑final second legs follow a few days later; and the three finals are staged on the Bank Holiday weekend of 23‑25 May at Wembley.
All matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with multiple viewing options available for both subscribers and non‑subscribers, and additional digital content will be provided via WhatsApp and other online platforms. Fans are encouraged to mark their calendars, tune in to the action, and perhaps try their luck in the Play Super 6 competition for a chance at a substantial cash prize.