The English Championship is known for its intense competition, with 24 teams vying for a spot in the Premier League each season.
A highlight of the Championship season is the playoff stage, offering four teams a final chance to gain promotion.
This article provides a comprehensive guide to the 2025 Championship playoffs, explaining the format, schedule, and participating teams.
- What are the Championship Playoffs?
- How do the Championship Playoffs Work?
- Which Teams Could Qualify for the 2025 Championship Playoffs?
- Championship 2024-25 Table
- Where to Watch the Championship Playoffs 2025
- When are the 2025 Championship Playoffs?
- When and Where is the Championship Playoff Final 2025?
- Championship Playoffs 2025 Fixtures & Results
- Semi-finals
- Final
- Who Won the Championship Playoffs in 2024?
- How Much is Winning the Championship Playoffs Worth?
What are the Championship Playoffs?
The Championship playoffs are a knockout tournament held after the regular season to determine the third team promoted to the Premier League.
While the top two teams are automatically promoted after 46 games, the teams finishing third to sixth enter the playoffs for the last promotion place.
How do the Championship Playoffs Work?
Securing a playoff spot in the Championship is a challenging feat in itself. The playoffs heighten the stakes as teams compete in a knockout format for Premier League promotion.
The teams placed third, fourth, fifth, and sixth in the league standings qualify for the playoffs.
In the semi-finals, the third-placed team plays against the sixth, and the fourth-placed team faces the fifth. Each semi-final is played over two legs, with each team hosting one match. The higher-ranked team plays the second leg at home.
The winner is decided by the aggregate score across both legs, without the away goals rule. If the scores are level after the second leg, extra time is played, and if needed, penalties determine the winner.
The two semi-final winners advance to the playoff final, a single match at Wembley Stadium. If the final is tied after regular time, extra time and penalties are used to decide the winner. The winning team earns promotion to the Premier League.
Which Teams Could Qualify for the 2025 Championship Playoffs?
Four teams will compete in the Championship playoffs. As the season progresses, it will become clearer which teams are in contention for these spots.
Championship 2024-25 Table
| Position | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sheffield United | 39 | 26 | 7 | 6 | +27 | 83 |
| 2 | Leeds United | 39 | 23 | 12 | 4 | +51 | 81 |
| 3 | Burnley | 39 | 22 | 15 | 2 | +42 | 81 |
| 4 | Sunderland | 39 | 20 | 12 | 7 | +19 | 72 |
| 5 | Coventry City | 39 | 17 | 8 | 14 | +5 | 59 |
| 6 | West Bromwich Albion | 39 | 13 | 18 | 8 | +13 | 57 |
| 7 | Middlesbrough | 39 | 16 | 9 | 14 | +10 | 57 |
| 8 | Bristol City | 39 | 14 | 15 | 10 | +7 | 57 |
Several strong teams are competing for the playoff spots as the season nears its end. Burnley and Sheffield United, recently relegated from the Premier League, are aiming for a quick return to the top tier.
Leeds United, after losing last season`s playoff final, are determined to push for automatic promotion. Middlesbrough and Bristol City are also in contention for the playoffs with a few games remaining.
Where to Watch the Championship Playoffs 2025
| Country | TV Channel |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Sky Sports |
| United States | CBS Sports Network |
Sky Sports will broadcast all Championship playoff matches in the UK. In the U.S., CBS Sports Network will provide coverage.
When are the 2025 Championship Playoffs?
The 2025 EFL Championship playoffs are scheduled for May 2025, with the final on May 24, 2025, at Wembley Stadium. Teams finishing third to sixth will compete for a Premier League spot.
The semi-finals will take place shortly after the regular season concludes on May 3, 2025. The first leg of the semi-finals typically occurs about a week after the end of the regular season.
When and Where is the Championship Playoff Final 2025?
| Date: | May 24, 2025 |
| Kick-off time: | TBC |
| Venue: | Wembley Stadium, London |
The 2025 Championship play-off final will be held on May 24, 2025, at Wembley Stadium.
Wembley Stadium is a renowned venue in British sports, often called `The Home of Football`, hosting major national finals, including the Football League playoffs.
Championship Playoffs 2025 Fixtures & Results
Semi-finals
| Date | Fixture |
|---|---|
| May 8 | Semi-final 1, leg 1 |
| May 9 | Semi-final 2, leg 1 |
| May 12 | Semi-final 1, leg 2 |
| May 13 | Semi-final 2, leg 2 |
Final
| Date | Fixture |
|---|---|
| May 24 | Semi-final 1 winner vs Semi-final 2 winner |
Who Won the Championship Playoffs in 2024?
Southampton won the 2024 Championship playoffs, returning to the Premier League with a 1-0 victory over Leeds United in the final at Wembley Stadium on May 26, 2024. Adam Armstrong scored the winning goal for Southampton, his 24th league goal of the season.
How Much is Winning the Championship Playoffs Worth?
The Championship playoff final is often called `The Richest Game in Football` due to the significant financial rewards for the winner.
Promotion to the Premier League is estimated to be worth at least £100 million due to TV revenue and other financial benefits.
This figure can double if the promoted team avoids relegation in their first Premier League season, along with increased sponsorship opportunities.
