EFL Announces 2025-26 Playoff Schedule

The English Football League has announced the schedule for this season's playoff matches across the Championship, League One, and League Two, providing clarity for clubs vying for promotion as the 2025-26 campaign nears its conclusion. With seven regular-season games remaining for most teams, the dates outline the path to Wembley Stadium finals, where the winners will secure spots in higher divisions.

The regular season ends on Saturday, May 2, 2026, with all Championship fixtures kicking off simultaneously at 12:30 p.m. to ensure fairness in the promotion race. League Two matches that day start at 3 p.m. In the Championship, teams finishing third through sixth will compete in semifinals. The first leg sees the sixth-placed side host the third-placed team on Friday, May 8, at 8 p.m., followed by the fifth-placed team hosting the fourth-placed on Saturday, May 9, at 12:30 p.m. Return legs are scheduled for Monday, May 11, with the third-placed team hosting the sixth at 8 p.m., and Tuesday, May 12, with the fourth hosting the fifth at 8 p.m. The Championship playoff final, often dubbed the richest game in soccer due to the Premier League promotion at stake, takes place on...