Championship play-offs 2026/27
Follow the race to Wembley, understand the route to promotion and check published play-off fixtures.
UK dates and kick-off times · GMT / BST
How the six-team play-offs work
The format introduced in 2026/27 gives the clubs finishing third to eighth a route to one Premier League place. The top two are promoted automatically. Third and fourth join at the semi-final stage.
1. Eliminators
5th hosts 8th
6th hosts 7th
Two single-match ties. The higher-placed club plays at home.
2. Semi-finals
3rd v lowest-ranked survivor
4th v other eliminator winner
Two legs per tie. Third and fourth host the second leg.
3. Wembley final
Semi-final winners meet
One match, one promotion place. Seven matches across the whole competition.
The semi-finals are re-paired after the eliminators
The third-placed club faces the surviving club with the lowest final league position. For example, if eighth and sixth advance, third faces eighth and fourth faces sixth. There is no fixed route from an eliminator to a particular semi-final.
Compare the Championship table with each club's remaining fixtures to follow the promotion race. Once dates are available, check UK TV coverage for the matches you want to watch.
This guide does not yet have verified dates for the 2026/27 eliminators, semi-finals or final. Check the key dates page and EFL announcements. Do not use last season's dates to plan this season's trip.
The current play-off race
Full league tableCurrent league positions, not confirmed qualifiers. In the 2026/27 format, third and fourth enter the semi-finals; fifth to eighth enter the eliminators.
| Pos | Club | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 
Stoke City | 15 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 24 | 18 | +6 | 29 |
| 4 | 
Wolverhampton Wanderers | 15 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 26 | 18 | +8 | 28 |
| 5 | 
West Bromwich Albion | 15 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 23 | 15 | +8 | 28 |
| 6 | 
Swansea City | 15 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 22 | 18 | +4 | 26 |
| 7 | 
Southampton | 15 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 29 | 15 | +14 | 24* |
| 8 | 
Queens Park Rangers | 15 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 24 | 18 | +6 | 24 |
Either side of the race
Middlesbrough2nd: automatic promotion boundary29 pts
West Ham United9th: first place outside the play-offs23 pts
Play-off dates and fixtures
0 matchesPlay-off fixtures have not been announced here yet
Confirmed clubs, dates and kick-off times will appear when fixtures are announced. League positions above are not confirmed pairings.
Match information as at: 13 Nov 2026, 06:00 GMT.
Frequently asked questions
How many clubs enter the Championship play-offs?
The format introduced for 2026/27 has six clubs, finishing third to eighth. The top two go up automatically. Third and fourth enter the semi-finals; fifth to eighth start in the eliminators.
Who has home advantage?
In the 2026/27 format, fifth hosts eighth and sixth hosts seventh in single-match eliminators. Third and fourth play the second leg of their semi-final at home. The final is at Wembley.
Are the semi-final pairings fixed in advance?
No. After the eliminators, third plays the lowest-ranked surviving club by final league position, while fourth plays the other winner. For example, if eighth and sixth progress, third faces eighth and fourth faces sixth.
How many play-off matches are there?
The 2026/27 format has seven matches: two single-match eliminators, four matches across two semi-final ties, and one final. A club starting in an eliminator needs to progress through three rounds to win promotion.
Are the clubs in the table confirmed qualifiers?
No. This page shows the current league positions, not a confirmed participant list. Actual play-off fixtures are listed separately when announced. Final standings and official decisions determine the qualifiers.