The 2025/26 season’s play‑off fixtures for the Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two have now been released, giving fans a clear view of when the decisive matches will take place. All three divisions will follow a similar structure, with semi‑finals played over two legs and a single final to decide promotion. Below is a detailed guide to the schedule, broadcast options, and how supporters can tune in, whether they are Sky subscribers or prefer streaming services. **Broadcast information** - **Television**: Matches will be shown on the Sky Sports channels, meaning that anyone with a Sky subscription can watch the games live on their television sets.
- **Mobile and tablet**: Sky customers also have the option of using the Sky Sports app, which provides a multi‑screen experience. The app works on smartphones, tablets and other connected devices, allowing fans to follow the action on the go. - **Streaming for non‑Sky viewers**: Those who do not have a Sky package can still watch the play‑offs by subscribing to a NOW TV pass.
The NOW Day pass offers a one‑day access ticket, while the cancel‑anytime Month pass gives a full month of unlimited viewing without a long‑term contract. - **Browser recommendation**: For the best video player performance, especially when using the streaming services, it is advised to use the Chrome browser. Chrome provides the most reliable playback and accessibility features for the live streams.
**Championship play‑off results** The Championship semi‑finals saw Hull City travel to Middlesbrough and secure a 1‑0 victory in the first leg. The return leg ended in a 0‑0 draw, allowing Hull to progress to the final with a 1‑0 aggregate score. In the other semi‑final, Southampton and Middlesbrough were locked at 0‑0 after the first leg.
The second leg produced a dramatic 2‑1 win for Southampton after extra time, giving them a 2‑1 aggregate triumph and a place in the final. **League One play‑off results** In League One, the first‑leg semi‑finals featured Stevenage losing 0‑1 at home to Stockport County. Stockport then dominated the second leg with a 2‑0 win, securing a 3‑0 aggregate victory and moving on to the final.
Meanwhile, Notts County delivered a commanding 3‑0 performance against Salford City in the first leg of their semi‑final. The second leg saw Chesterfield win 1‑0 away, but the aggregate score remained 3‑0 in favour of Notts County, confirming their progression.
**League Two play‑off results** League Two’s semi‑finals were tightly contested. Salford City and Grimsby Town played out a 2‑2 draw in the first leg, with Grimsby eventually prevailing 4‑3 on aggregate after extra time. In the other tie, Notts County and Chesterfield drew 0‑0 in the first leg.
Chesterfield managed a 1‑0 win in the return fixture, giving them a 1‑0 aggregate win and a spot in the final. **How to watch each match** - **If you have Sky**: Simply log into the Sky Sports app or turn on the appropriate Sky Sports channel on your TV. The app also offers on‑demand replays, so you can catch any missed action later.
- **If you do not have Sky**: Purchase a NOW TV Day pass for a single match or a Month pass for continuous access throughout the play‑off period. Both options provide high‑definition streams directly to your device. - **Technical tip**: For the smoothest experience, open the streaming link in Google Chrome.
This browser is currently the most compatible with the video player used by Sky Sports and NOW TV, reducing buffering and playback issues. **Key dates and venues** While the exact dates have been announced, the general timeline is as follows: - Semi‑final first legs: Mid‑week fixtures in early May. - Semi‑final second legs: The following week, also mid‑week, with extra‑time periods if required. - Finals: Scheduled for the weekend at the iconic Wembley Stadium, where the winners of each division will be crowned and earn promotion to the next tier.
**What to expect in the finals** The finals promise high‑stakes drama, as each match determines which club ascends to a higher league. Wembley’s atmosphere, combined with live broadcast coverage, ensures a spectacle for both in‑stadium fans and viewers at home.
Expect extensive pre‑match analysis, player interviews, and post‑match reactions across Sky Sports’ platforms and NOW TV streams. **Additional viewing tips** - **Check the schedule**: Fixtures can shift due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, so keep an eye on official announcements.
- **Use multiple devices**: The Sky Sports app allows simultaneous streaming on several devices, which is handy for households with multiple fans. - **Engage on social media**: Both Sky Sports and the EFL maintain active Twitter and Instagram accounts, offering live updates, highlights, and behind‑the‑scenes content.
In summary, the 2025/26 play‑off calendar is now set, with clear pathways for fans to watch every crucial moment. Whether you are a loyal Sky subscriber, a casual viewer opting for a NOW TV pass, or someone who prefers streaming on a computer using Chrome, you have a variety of options to ensure you don’t miss the excitement as clubs battle for promotion across the Championship, League One and League Two.