The EFL Championship regular season concluded on Saturday, May 3, with all 24 teams kicking off their last games at the same time.
With Leeds United and Burnley already assured of the automatic promotion places, the main topic of conversation on the final day was the race for the playoffs. Sheffield United and Sunderland were certain of claiming two of those coveted spots, but there were five teams still in the race to snatch the remaining two places in the top six.
Coventry City’s 2-0 win over Middlesbrough saw them finish in fifth place and end Boro’s hopes of the playoffs, while Bristol City came from two goals down to draw with Preston North End and claim the final top-six position.
Leeds fell at the final hurdle of last season’s playoffs, so they will be relieved to have avoided them this time. The agony and ecstasy of the semifinals and final is almost unparalleled in domestic football given the prize for the winners: the grandeur and riches of the Premier League.
Below are the key details on the matches, including the dates and times of each semifinal and final, and the results as they happen.
When are the EFL Championship playoffs 2025?
The Championship playoffs in 2024/25 begin in the week commencing May 5.
The semifinal first leg between the teams finishing sixth and third in the standings — Bristol City and Sheffield United — took place on Thursday, May 8, with the first leg of the other semifinal played on Friday, May 9.
The return legs are held on May 12 and May 13.
When is the EFL Championship playoff final 2025?
The final will be held at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, May 24. It is expected to kick off at 3 p.m. local time (10 a.m. ET).
EFL Championship playoffs 2025: Schedule, results
The playoffs are seeded based on the teams’ league finishes this season. That means the team that places third in the final league standings will face the team in sixth, while fourth place takes on fifth. Those third- and fourth-place sides will play the second legs of their semifinals at home.
Championship playoff semifinals 2025: First legs
| Match | Venue | Date | Time (local / ET) | Result |
| Bristol City vs. Sheffield United | Ashton Gate | Thur, May 8 | 8 p.m. / 3 p.m. | 0-3 |
| Coventry City vs. Sunderland | Coventry Building Society Arena | Fri, May 9 | 8 p.m. / 3 p.m. | — |
Championship playoff semifinals 2025: Second legs
| Match | Venue | Date | Time (local / ET) | Result |
| Sheffield United vs. Bristol City | Bramall Lane | Mon, May 12 | 8 p.m. / 3 p.m. | — |
| Sunderland vs. Coventry City | Stadium of Light | Tue, May 13 | 8 p.m. / 3 p.m. | — |
Championship playoff final 2025
| Match | Venue | Date | Time (local / ET) |
| Winner SF 1 vs. Winner SF 2 | Wembley Stadium | Sat, May 24 | 3 p.m. / 10 a.m. |
