When is the EFL Championship playoff final? Full playoff fixture schedule, bracket, results, TV channel
The race is on in the EFL Championship for clubs to clinch a spot in the playoffs to keep their Premier League dreams alive.
Several sides are still in with a chance of securing promotion to England’s top flight via the drama of the four-team mini-tournament.
Brentford won last season’s playoff final at Wembley 2-0 against Swansea City, sealing a place in the top division for the first time since 1947.
The playoffs were introduced in 1987 and, since 1990, the winners have been crowned via a one-off final. This year, teams who finish from third to sixth in the Championship qualify for a playoff spot.
Memorable finals over the years include Charlton Athletic’s win on penalties after a 4-4 draw with Sunderland in 1998, and Glenn Hoddle’s Swindon Town holding off Leicester City 4-3 in 1993 to earn The Robins their only season in the Premier League.
Which teams are in the EFL Championship playoffs?
With Fulham having already earned promotion to the Premier league for 2022/23, the battle for the second automatic spot to England’s top division is between Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest and Huddersfield Town. With Bournemouth sitting second, three points ahead of the other two, a win and a draw in their final two matches will guarantee automatic promotion.
Two of these three teams will be joined by any two from Luton Town (72 points), Sheffield United (72), Middlesbrough (70), and Millwall (69). While Luton have two regular-season games left, the others have just one, meaning Millwall’s chances of breaking into the top six are slim.
*As of Saturday, April 30
Pos. | GP | W | D | L | Pts | GD | |
1 | Fulham** | 44 | 26 | 9 | 9 | 87 | 60 |
2 | Bournemouth | 44 | 23 | 13 | 8 | 82 | 33 |
3 | Nottingham Forest | 44 | 23 | 10 | 11 | 79 | 34 |
4 | Huddersfield Town | 45 | 22 | 13 | 10 | 79 | 15 |
5 | Luton Town | 44 | 20 | 12 | 12 | 72 | 14 |
6 | Sheffield United | 45 | 20 | 12 | 13 | 72 | 14 |
7 | Middlesbrough | 45 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 70 | 12 |
8 | Millwall | 45 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 69 | 9 |
**Already promoted
MORE: How do the EFL Championship playoffs work? Standings, qualified teams, past winners
Of all the clubs in contention for a playoff spot and/or automatic promotion, Forest are the in-form side. They have won seven of their past eight matches.
❤️ #Believe
🌳🔴 #NFFC pic.twitter.com/DbPofK9mNX
— Nottingham Forest FC (@NFFC) April 28, 2022
When are the EFL Championship playoff semi-finals?
The playoff semi-finals take place over two legs, home and away, with the team finishing third in the EFL Championship taking on those who ended in sixth. Fifth place battles fourth for a spot in the final.
Fixture | Date | Kick-off time (UK) | Kick-off time (USA) | Kick-off time (Canada) | Kick-off time (Australia) |
Sixth vs. third | May 13/14 | 19:45 BST | 14:45 ET | 14:45 ET | 04:45 AEST |
Fifth vs. fourth | May 14 | 14:45 BST | 09:45 ET | 09:45 ET | 23:45 AEST |
Third vs. sixth | May 16/17 | 19:45 BST | 14:45 ET | 14:45 ET | 04:45 AEST |
Fourth vs. fifth | May 17/18 | 19:45 BST | 14:45 ET | 14:45 ET | 04:45 AEST |
When is the EFL Championship play-off final?
The 2021/22 EFL Championship final takes place on Sunday, May 29 at Wembley.
Kick-off is at 16:30 local time (BST), so 11:30 ET, or 01:30 AEST on Monday, May 30.
How to watch the EFL Championship play-offs
UK | US | Canada | Australia | |
TV | Sky Sports | – | DAZN | beIn SPORTS |
Streaming | Now/SkyGo | ESPN+ | DAZN | – |
Viewers in the UK can watch the Championship playoffs on Sky Sports Football or streamed through SkyGo. Now TV subscribers can also watch or stream the action if they have Sky Sports included.
In the United States, you can stream the playoffs via ESPN+, while in Canada, DAZN is your port of call for Championship action.
In Australia, beIN SPORTS will broadcast the Championship playoffs.