The countdown to May drama is officially on. The EFL has confirmed the full schedule for the 2025/26 Sky Bet Championship, League One, and League Two play-offs, setting the stage for three unforgettable weeks of high-stakes football.
With all three divisions wrapping up their regular seasons on Saturday, the play-off semi-finals are set to ignite from Friday, May 8, through Friday, May 15. The grand finals will then take center stage over the Bank Holiday weekend of May 23, 24, and 25, promising a fitting climax to the season at Wembley.
In the Championship, the action kicks off with a tantalizing semi-final clash between Hull City and Millwall. The Tigers clinched their spot in dramatic fashion, snatching a 2-1 comeback win over Norwich City on the final day to leapfrog Wrexham at the death. Hull will host the first leg at the MKM Stadium on Friday, May 8, at 8pm, needing to make the most of home advantage before heading to The Den for the return leg on Monday, May 11, at 8pm. Millwall enter as favorites after narrowly missing automatic promotion, finishing just a point behind runners-up Ipswich.
Meanwhile, Southampton—still riding the memory of their Wembley triumph over Leeds United two years ago—are aiming to write another chapter of glory. They face Middlesbrough in a mouthwatering semi-final. The first leg takes place at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday, May 9, at 12:30pm, with Boro already buzzing about ticket availability for what could be a historic tie. The return leg at St Mary's Stadium is set for Tuesday, May 12, at 8pm, with the winner booking a date at Wembley (though the EFL has yet to confirm the final's exact date and kick-off time).
Over in League One, Lincoln City have been the story of the season, storming to the title as the only side to hit the 100-point mark, finishing a staggering 12 points clear of second-placed Cardiff City. The real drama, however, lies in the play-offs, where Bolton Wanderers, Bradford City, Stevenage, and Stockport County have secured their spots after a fiercely contested final stretch. The first semi-final sees Stevenage host Stockport at the Lamex Stadium on Saturday, May 9, at 8pm, with both sides eager to seize their moment.
As the dates lock in and the tension builds, fans across the Football League are gearing up for a May to remember. Whether you're backing a giant-killer or a fallen giant, the road to Wembley is paved with passion—and every match counts.