2025 English Football League play-offs

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Football league season

English Football League play-offs

Wembley Stadium was the venue for each play-off final

Season| 2024–25
Premier League
(Promoted)| Sunderland
EFL Championship
(Promoted)| Charlton Athletic
EFL League One
(Promoted)| AFC Wimbledon

← 2024

2026 →

The English Football League play-offs for the 2024–25 season (referred to as the Sky Bet Play-Offs for sponsorship reasons) were held in May 2025 with all finals being staged at Wembley Stadium in London.

The play-offs begin in each league with two semi-finals which were played over two legs. The teams who finished in 3rd to 6th place in the Championship and League One and the 4th to 7th-placed teams in League Two competed. The winners of the semi-finals advanced to the finals, with the winners gaining promotion for the following season.[1][2][3]

All finals are kicked off one minute late, with the extra minute added to highlight the Every Minute Matters campaign, a collaboration between EFL sponsor Sky Bet and the British Heart Foundation which focused on the importance of learning CPR.[4]

## Background

[edit]

The English Football League play-offs have been held every year since 1987. They take place for each division following the conclusion of the regular season and are contested by the four clubs finishing below the automatic promotion places. The fixtures are determined by final league position – in the Championship and League One this is 3rd v 6th and 4th v 5th, while in League Two it is 4th v 7th and 5th v 6th.

## Championship

[edit]

Main article: 2024–25 EFL Championship

### Championship semi-finals

[edit]

The final table was confirmed after the final matchday on 3 May 2025. Going into the final day, Sheffield United and Sunderland had already confirmed both their place and finish in the play-offs at 3rd and 4th, respectively. Bristol City, Coventry City, Milwall, Blackburn Rovers, and Middlesbrough were all in the hunt for the last two spots. Coventry City leapfrogged Bristol City to 5th after beating Middlesbrough which eliminated them from reaching the play-offs. Despite their draw with relegation-threatened Preston North End, Bristol City finished 6th after Blackburn Rovers drew against Sheffield United and Millwall lost to title challengers Burnley.

Final league position – Championship

Pos | Team  | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts
3  | Sheffield United | 46  | 28  | 8  | 10  | 63  | 36  | +27  | 90
4  | Sunderland | 46  | 21  | 13  | 12  | 58  | 44  | +14  | 76
5  | Coventry City | 46  | 20  | 9  | 17  | 64  | 59  | +5  | 69
6  | Bristol City | 46  | 17  | 17  | 12  | 59  | 55  | +4  | 68

First leg

8 May 2025

20:00 BST

Bristol City| 0–3| Sheffield United

|
|

| Report |

* Burrows 45+3' (pen.)
* Brooks 73'
* O'Hare 79'

Ashton Gate, Bristol

Attendance: 25,652

Referee: Oliver Langford

9 May 2025

20:00 BST

Coventry City| 1–2| Sunderland

|
|

* Rudoni 70'

| Report |

* Isidor 68'
* Mayenda 88'

Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry

Attendance: 31,293

Referee: John Busby

Second leg

12 May 2025

20:00 BST

Sheffield United| 3–0| Bristol City

|
|

* Moore 41'
* Hamer 52'
* O'Hare 83'

| Report |

Bramall Lane, Sheffield

Attendance: 26,543

Referee: Peter Bankes

Sheffield United won 6–0 on aggregate.

13 May 2025

20:00 BST

Sunderland| 1–1 (a.e.t.)| Coventry City

|
|

* Ballard 120+2'

| Report |

* Mason-Clark 76'

Stadium of Light, Sunderland

Attendance: 46,530

Referee: Andrew Madley

Sunderland won 3–2 on aggregate.

### Championship final

[edit]

Main article: 2025 EFL Championship play-off final

24 May 2025

15:01 BST

Sheffield United| 1–2| Sunderland

|
|

* Campbell 25'

| Report |

* Mayenda 76'
* Watson 90+5'

Wembley Stadium, London

Attendance: 82,718

Referee: Chris Kavanagh

## League One

[edit]

Main article: 2024–25 EFL League One

### League One semi-finals

[edit]

The final table was confirmed after the final matchday on 3 May 2025. Going into the final day, Stockport County, Wycombe Wanderers and Charlton Athletic had already qualified for the play-offs. Charlton leapfrogged Wycombe on the final day after the Addicks beat Burton Albion, while the Chairboys lost to Stockport. The final day also saw a two-way battle between Leyton Orient and Reading for the final spot, with Leyton Orient ahead on goal difference. Reading lost to Barnsley while Leyton Orient beat Huddersfield Town to put the O's in the last play-off spot.

Final league position – League One

Pos | Team  | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts
3  | Stockport County | 46  | 25  | 12  | 9  | 72  | 42  | +30  | 87
4  | Charlton Athletic | 46  | 25  | 10  | 11  | 67  | 43  | +24  | 85
5  | Wycombe Wanderers | 46  | 24  | 12  | 10  | 70  | 45  | +25  | 84
6  | Leyton Orient | 46  | 21  | 13  | 12  | 82  | 64  | +18  | 78

First leg

10 May 2025

12:30 BST

Leyton Orient| 2–2| Stockport County

|
|

* Kelman 30', 88' (pen.)

| Report |

* Norwood 60' (pen.)
* Horsfall 65'

Brisbane Road, London

Attendance: 8,571

Referee: Ben Speedie

11 May 2025

18:30 BST

Wycombe Wanderers| 0–0| Charlton Athletic

|
|

| Report |

Adams Park, High Wycombe

Attendance: 6,585

Referee: Farai Hallam

Second leg

14 May 2025

20:00 BST

Stockport County| 1–1 (a.e.t.)| Leyton Orient

|
|

* Olaofe 74'

| Report |

* O'Neill 3'

Penalties

* Norwood
* Diamond
* Rydel

| 1–4 |

* James
* Clare
* Abdulai
* Galbraith

Edgeley Park, Stockport

Attendance: 10,592

Referee: James Bell

3–3 on aggregate, Leyton Orient won 4–1 on penalties.

15 May 2025

20:00 BST

Charlton Athletic| 1–0| Wycombe Wanderers

|
|

Godden 81' | Report |

The Valley, London

Attendance: 25,722

Referee: Dean Whitestone

Charlton Athletic won 1–0 on aggregate.

### League One final

[edit]

Main article: 2025 EFL League One play-off final

25 May 2025

13:01 BST

Charlton Athletic| 1–0| Leyton Orient

|
|

* Gillesphey 31'

| Report |

Wembley Stadium, London

Attendance: 76,193

Referee: Andrew Kitchen

## League Two

[edit]

Main article: 2024–25 EFL League Two

### League Two semi-finals

[edit]

The final table was confirmed after the final matchday on 3 May 2025. Going into the final day, Bradford City, Walsall, and Notts County had already secured a play-off place but they could still gain automatic promotion. Notts County eliminated themselves from automatic contention after losing to champions Doncaster Rovers. Bradford City then clinched the lone remaining automatic promotion spot with their 96th minute winner against Fleetwood Town, condemning Walsall \- who were beating Crewe Alexandra \- to the playoffs. The remaining two places were under contention between AFC Wimbledon, Salford City, Grimsby Town, Chesterfield and Colchester United. AFC Wimbledon clinched their spot with a win against Grimsby Town, eliminating the Mariners and leapfrogging Notts County in the process. Chesterfield beat Accrington Stanley to clinch the final playoff spot after Salford City and Colchester United could only draw against relegated Carlisle United and Barrow respectively.

Final league position – League Two

Pos | Team  | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts
4  | Walsall | 46  | 21  | 14  | 11  | 75  | 54  | +21  | 77
5  | AFC Wimbledon | 46  | 20  | 13  | 13  | 56  | 35  | +21  | 73
6  | Notts County | 46  | 20  | 12  | 14  | 68  | 49  | +19  | 72
7  | Chesterfield | 46  | 19  | 13  | 14  | 73  | 54  | +19  | 70

First leg

10 May 2025

20:00 BST

Notts County| 0–1| AFC Wimbledon

|
|

| Report |

* Harbottle 59'

Meadow Lane, Nottingham

Attendance: 12,385

Referee: Thomas Kirk

11 May 2025

15:30 BST

Chesterfield| 0–2| Walsall

|
|

| Report |

* Allen 28' (pen.)
* Chang 39'

SMH Group Stadium, Chesterfield

Attendance: 10,001

Referee: Martin Coy

* * *

Second leg

16 May 2025

20:00 BST

Walsall| 2–1| Chesterfield

|
|

* Lakin 81'
* Amantchi 90+5'

| Report |

* Dobra 90+4'

Bescot Stadium, Walsall

Attendance: 9,585

Referee: Ben Toner

Walsall won 4–1 on aggregate.

17 May 2025

12:30 BST

AFC Wimbledon| 1–0| Notts County

|
|

* Neufville 8'

| Report |

Plough Lane, Wimbledon

Attendance: 8,501

Referee: Lewis Smith

AFC Wimbledon won 2–0 on aggregate.

### League Two final

[edit]

Main article: 2025 EFL League Two play-off final

26 May 2025

15:01 BST

AFC Wimbledon| 1–0| Walsall

|
|

* Hippolyte 45+2'

| Report |

Wembley Stadium, London

Attendance: 50,947

Referee: Will Finnie

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "EFL play-offs: Fixtures, dates and schedule for Championship, League One and League Two". efl.com. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
2. ^ "Championship playoffs 2025: Fixtures, dates and teams in the race for the Premier League". www.goal.com. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
3. ^ "EFL play-offs final schedule: VAR and offside tech at Wembley Stadium". www.skysports.com. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
4. ^ Hoad, Alex (19 May 2025). "EFL play-off finals to kick-off minute late to raise CPR awareness". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 May 2025.

* v
* t
* e

English Football League play-offs

Competitions|

* EFL Championship play-offs
* EFL League One play-offs
* EFL League Two play-offs

Play-offs|

* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
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* 2014
* 2015
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* 2017
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* 2019
* 2020
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* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025
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Finals|

| Championship|

* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
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* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025
* 2026

|

League One|

* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
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* 2005
* 2006
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* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025
* 2026

League Two|

* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
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* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
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* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
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* 2018
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* 2023
* 2024
* 2025
* 2026

* v
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2024–25 in English men's football

« 2023–24

2025–26 »

National teams|

* Senior (2026 FIFA World Cup qualification)
* U21 (UEFA Euro 2025 finals)
* U20 (UEFA Euro 2025 qualification)
* U17 (UEFA Euro 2025 qualification)

League
competitions|

| Level 1|

* Premier League

|

Levels 2–4|

* English Football League (Championship, League One, League Two, play-offs)

Levels 5–6|

* National League (National, North, South)

Levels 7–8|

* Isthmian League (Premier, One North, One South Central, One South East)
* Northern Premier League (Premier, One East, One Midlands, One West)
* Southern League (Premier Central, Premier South, One Central, One South)

Levels 9–10|

* Combined Counties League (Premier North, Premier South, One)
* Eastern Counties League (Premier, One North, One South)
* Essex Senior League (level 9 only)
* Hellenic League (Premier, One)
* Midland League (Premier, One)
* Northern Counties East League (Premier, One)
* Northern League (One, Two)
* North West Counties League (Premier, One North, One South)
* Southern Combination League (Premier, One)
* Southern Counties East League (Premier, One)
* South West Peninsula League (Premier East, Premier West \- level 10 only)
* Spartan South Midlands League (Premier, One)
* United Counties League (Premier North, Premier South, One)
* Wessex League (Premier, One)
* Western League (Premier, One)

Cup
competitions|

| FA cups|

* FA Cup (Qualifying rounds, Final)
* FA Community Shield
* FA Trophy (Final)
* FA Vase (Final)

|

EFL cups|

* EFL Cup (Final)
* EFL Trophy (Final)

Youth
competitions|

| Under-21|

* Professional U21 Development League
* Premier League Cup
* Premier League International Cup

|

Under-18|

* Professional U18 Development League
* FA Youth Cup

Club seasons

Premier League|

* Arsenal
* Aston Villa
* Bournemouth
* Brentford
* Brighton & Hove Albion
* Chelsea
* Crystal Palace
* Everton
* Fulham
* Ipswich Town
* Leicester City
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* Manchester United
* Newcastle United
* Nottingham Forest
* Southampton
* Tottenham Hotspur
* West Ham United
* Wolverhampton Wanderers

Championship|

* Blackburn Rovers
* Bristol City
* Burnley
* Cardiff City
* Coventry City
* Derby County
* Hull City
* Leeds United
* Luton Town
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* Sheffield United
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* Watford
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League One|

* Barnsley
* Birmingham City
* Blackpool
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* Bristol Rovers
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* Cambridge United
* Charlton Athletic
* Crawley Town
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* Lincoln City
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* Peterborough United
* Reading
* Rotherham United
* Shrewsbury Town
* Stevenage
* Stockport County
* Wigan Athletic
* Wrexham
* Wycombe Wanderers

League Two|

* Accrington Stanley
* AFC Wimbledon
* Barrow
* Bradford City
* Bromley
* Carlisle United
* Cheltenham Town
* Chesterfield
* Colchester United
* Crewe Alexandra
* Doncaster Rovers
* Fleetwood Town
* Gillingham
* Grimsby Town
* Harrogate Town
* Milton Keynes Dons
* Morecambe
* Newport County
* Notts County
* Port Vale
* Salford City
* Swindon Town
* Tranmere Rovers
* Walsall

* Summer 2024 transfers
* Winter 2024–25 transfers

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