EFL Skybet Championship Playoffs 2025/2026

[metalrover]

Semi finals first legs both games goalless. Sgpools no open plate means what?

 

[laksaboy]

Hope Milwall wins, the Premier League needs an injection of violence and ultra fans.

But most likely it's Southampton or Boro.

 

[metalrover]

My guess is Southampton

 

[metalrover]

Two shit teams, and two well taken goals, Hull city go Wembley

Tonight Southampton v boro

 

[Robert Half]

Hull City vs Southampton in the 2026 playoff final

 

[metalrover]

Hull City vs Southampton in the 2026 playoff final

I also think so. Think southampton's squad way superior than hull, maybe will hoot later

 

[Robert Half]

I also think so. Think southampton's squad way superior than hull, maybe will hoot later

Yes bro .. very likely Saints will get promoted to EPL

 

[metalrover]

Yes bro .. very likely Saints will get promoted to EPL

Their team too strong for Championship league, early season under buaygan manager they laosai, if not, sure inside automatic promo spots

 

[rocket]

Yes bro .. very likely Saints will get promoted to EPL

Their team too strong for Championship league, early season under buaygan manager they laosai, if not, sure inside automatic promo spots

There is a saying curse. Number 3 team never win the playoff. Don't know if true
This year is Millwall

 

[metalrover]

There is a saying curse. Number 3 team never win the playoff. Don't know if true
This year is Millwall

No mention no noticed, seems like 3rd place never win promotion

But next year onwards will be 2 auto spots 6 teams in the playoffs, from 3rd to 8th.


Sky Bet Championship play-offs will expand from four to six teams from the 2026/27 season onwards; EFL CEO Trevor Birch: "We are confident this change will further strengthen the Championship as a competition"

What could change?​

While the format will not be confirmed until the summer, it is expected that the expansion would see the play-offs take this shape:

• 1st and 2nd are automatically promoted as normal.
• 3rd and 4th qualify for the semi-finals.
• 5th vs 8th, and 6th vs 7th in one-off eliminator ties at the home of the side who finishes higher up the league.
• The winners of the eliminator ties progress to the semi-finals, to face 3rd and 4th in the format that currently exists - two-legged ties with the second leg at the home of the side that finishes higher up the league.
• As per usual, the winners of the two semi-finals meet at Wembley for a place in the Premier League.

 

[rocket]

No mention no noticed, seems like 3rd place never win promotion

But next year onwards will be 2 auto spots 6 teams in the playoffs, from 3rd to 8th.


Sky Bet Championship play-offs will expand from four to six teams from the 2026/27 season onwards; EFL CEO Trevor Birch: "We are confident this change will further strengthen the Championship as a competition"

What could change?​

While the format will not be confirmed until the summer, it is expected that the expansion would see the play-offs take this shape:

• 1st and 2nd are automatically promoted as normal.
• 3rd and 4th qualify for the semi-finals.
• 5th vs 8th, and 6th vs 7th in one-off eliminator ties at the home of the side who finishes higher up the league.
• The winners of the eliminator ties progress to the semi-finals, to face 3rd and 4th in the format that currently exists - two-legged ties with the second leg at the home of the side that finishes higher up the league.
• As per usual, the winners of the two semi-finals meet at Wembley for a place in the Premier League.

Wah. I paid a premium over many years to figured this. I 不信邪。

 

[metalrover]

Wah. I paid a premium over many years to figured this. I 不信邪。

Haha, honestly I haven't noticed all these years. Only feel is finished sixth and win the playoffs most wuhua, just like Luton town did a couple of years back

 

[rocket]

Haha, honestly I haven't noticed all these years. Only feel is finished sixth and win the playoffs most wuhua, just like Luton town did a couple of years back

Base on the stupid mistakes I made before. Can write a book on sport betting casino baccarat and slots. Except horse I never touch

 

[metalrover]

At least 2 penalties not given against Southampton, lucky goal was meant to be a cross, went in

 

[rocket]

At least 2 penalties not given against Southampton, lucky goal was meant to be a cross, went in

Hull vs Southampton final

 

[laksaboy]

Hull vs Southampton final

North vs South.

Next season, Wrexham owned by Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool actor) might have a good chance to get promoted to the Premier League.

 

[metalrover]

Could Southampton be kicked out of play-offs over Spygate?​

Image source,Getty Images
Image caption,
Southampton's players have booked a second appearance at Wembley this season - but it could yet be taken away from them for spying

"It breaks my heart," said Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg after his team were eliminated from the Championship play-offs by Southampton on Tuesday.

Yet the Swedish head coach was not talking about the 2-1 extra-time defeat at St Mary's Stadium.

Hellberg was referencing the Spygate scandal, with Saints charged by the English Football League with breaking rules by observing one of his final training sessions before last Saturday's first leg at the Riverside.

"If we hadn't caught that man that they sent up five hours to drive, you would sit there and say well done [to Southampton] in the tactical aspect of the game and I would go home and feel like I've failed," Hellberg said.

"When that is taken away from you - 'we're not going to watch every game, we're going to send someone instead and film the sessions and hope they don't get caught' - it breaks my heart in terms of all the things I believe in."

In any other season, talk would now turn to the play-off final on 23 May.

But there is a lot to resolve before Southampton get to take on Hull City for a place in the Premier League.

And there is no absolute certainty that this match will take place.

Southampton have asked for a delay to complete an internal review, but time is one thing the EFL does not have.

For Middlesbrough, only one outcome is acceptable: That they walk out at Wembley a week on Saturday.

What will happen in the next few days will define not just this season for two clubs, but perhaps their futures too.

Boro left in limbo while Saints plan for Wembley​

Image source,Getty Images
Image caption,
Southampton boss Tonda Eckert deflected any questions related to spying across the two legs of the Championship play-off tie

The Championship play-off final is 10 days away. Ticket sales must be organised. Supporters need to know that they can make plans.

But we now enter a process whereby an entire season is about to be decided by an independent disciplinary commission.

For Southampton, it must be business as usual - even if the celebrations on Tuesday were, for obvious reasons, slightly muted.

On Wednesday morning, the club launched a play-off final merchandise range on their website, though there was no promotion across social media.

Tickets for the final will go on sale on Thursday morning - for a match their fans might end up not attending.

At least Saints head coach Tonda Eckert can carry on with some semblance of normality. He has a game to prepare for.

Boro remain in a state of limbo until the independent disciplinary commission convenes.

Rather than continuing to train, BBC Sport understands that the immediate plan is for the players to be given a few days off.

The squad will have to remain on call. They cannot jet off to Dubai, Ibiza or any of the other regular haunts of football stars.

From the outset, Boro have made it clear they expect Southampton to get a sporting sanction. A fine will not be enough to quell their anger.

Boro owner Steve Gibson has reportedly engaged the services of Nick de Marco, the sports lawyer with a record of delivering results in hearings involving the game's governing bodies.

De Marco was recently heavily involved in making sure Sheffield Wednesday would start next season on zero points, when it seemed certain they would get a 15-point deduction.

This time De Marco would be arguing in favour of a penalty, rather than trying to get one removed.

If Gibson does not get the result he wants with the independent disciplinary commission, matters may not end there.

In 2021, Boro launched legal proceedings against Derby County. They claimed the Rams' financial breaches had cost them a play-off place in 2018-19.

The two parties eventually reached a "resolution", which BBC Sport believes resulted in Boro being paid £2m.

If Southampton keep their place in the play-offs, it would be no surprise if Gibson pursued the same route for compensation.

What options are open to the independent disciplinary commission?​

Image source,Getty Images
Image caption,
Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg believes action must be taken against Southampton

The EFL is desperate for the uncertainty to end.

But this is now in the hands of an independent disciplinary commission.

The process is managed by Sport Resolutions, an independent mediation company.

The panel is made up of three members. The chair is usually a judge, lawyer or barrister who is a KC or QC. They sit with two side members who are sports lawyers, barristers or mediators.

Appointments are based on suitability and availability, especially in cases like this which need to be heard quickly.

The independent disciplinary commission will determine the exact timeline - but this is never made public.

But it is highly unlikely the play-off final could be rearranged. Wembley is booked up the following weekend, after which players will head off on international duty.

So this must be sorted well before 23 May.

The EFL has asked for an expedited hearing, while Southampton have argued they need more time to hold an internal review.

The first hearing needs to take place sooner rather than later, as all parties categorised by the independent disciplinary commission as holding an interest must have the right of appeal - and that could include Middlesbrough.

Any ruling from an appeal is considered final. EFL rules do not permit the case to be taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Then there is the logistical nightmare of Boro potentially having to sell a ticket allocation at short notice.

The question now is what a suitable sanction will be - if Southampton are found to be guilty.

No-one can predict what the outcome can be, because there is no direct precedent.

The independent disciplinary commission will, in effect, be creating it - which adds further significance to its decision.

Unlike, say, a profit and sustainability hearing, there is no framework or sliding scale of offence-to-sanction. This is completely new.

When Leeds United were found guilty of spying on Derby seven years ago, they were fined £200,000.

But there are a couple of crucial differences.

Firstly, in 2019 there was no rule which outlawed watching the opposition train before a game.

Leeds could only be charged with breaching regulation E.4, which says clubs must act in the "utmost good faith" to one another.

As a result, the EFL brought in regulation 127, which specifically states "no club shall directly or indirectly observe (or attempt to observe) another club's training session in the period of 72 hours prior to any match".

Southampton are charged with breaching both, and they have made no attempt to deny the allegations.

Then there is the timing. Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa was caught sending a member of his staff to Derby's training ground in the middle of January, hardly a crucial point of the season.

But Saints stand accused of spying on their opponents before one of the most important games of the season, a play-off semi-final.

The feeling at Boro is that if Saints go on to beat Hull and win promotion, the Premier League millions will more than offset any fine.

Boro want Southampton thrown out of the play-offs.

That would most likely be facilitated by Boro being given a default 3-0 win for the first leg, and therefore a 4-2 aggregate victory.

It is rare in English football, but in 2002 West Bromwich Albion were awarded a 3-0 win after their game against Sheffield United was abandoned.

The Blades had three players sent off, and two others went off injured who could not be replaced, which left them below the minimum seven players.

Another option is a points penalty. This could be seen as a halfway house, whereby the independent disciplinary commission dodges the nuclear option of banishing Southampton from the play-offs but still applies a sporting sanction.

If Saints get promoted, the EFL would not be able to apply the penalty in the top flight itself, but it can recommend to the Premier League board that the deduction is carried over.

The independent disciplinary commission must find a punishment which is fair but also acts as a deterrent to any other club who might try to spy - especially before a game of such magnitude.

Could Southampton's coaching staff face sanctions?​

Southampton have been tight-lipped throughout, with the club's media officer shutting down attempts to question Eckert.

And the coaching staff do have questions to answer.

Who knew what, and when? Was there a live stream? Was it uploaded anywhere?

Southampton may try to argue that the spy was acting as a lone wolf, who took it upon himself to travel up to the Rockliffe Park training base 24 hours before the squad flew up.

Hellberg clearly disagrees. He insisted after Tuesday's game that "there's someone who makes decisions to go and try to cheat".

There is a precedent from perhaps football's most high-profile case of spying, from the 2024 Olympics women's tournament in Paris.

Fifa deducted six points from Canada after they were found to have spied on New Zealand using a drone.

World football's governing body also banned three members of Canada's staff, including the head coach, from all football for a year.

Could the independent disciplinary commission hand bans to members of the Southampton coaching staff too?

One argument is that Southampton's fans do not deserve this. That they have followed their team all season, and across 48 games their team have earned the right to play for a place in the Premier League.

Yet without sporting sanctions, it risks creating a Wild West where clubs can pretty much do what they want.

Is there any real punishment if Saints are in the Premier League next season?

How this all ends is anyone's guess.

 

[rocket]

Hope Milwall wins, the Premier League needs an injection of violence and ultra fans.

But most likely it's Southampton or Boro.

Yes bro .. very likely Saints will get promoted to EPL

Could Southampton be kicked out of play-offs over Spygate?​

Image source,Getty Images
Image caption,
Southampton's players have booked a second appearance at Wembley this season - but it could yet be taken away from them for spying

"It breaks my heart," said Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg after his team were eliminated from the Championship play-offs by Southampton on Tuesday.

Yet the Swedish head coach was not talking about the 2-1 extra-time defeat at St Mary's Stadium.

Hellberg was referencing the Spygate scandal, with Saints charged by the English Football League with breaking rules by observing one of his final training sessions before last Saturday's first leg at the Riverside.

"If we hadn't caught that man that they sent up five hours to drive, you would sit there and say well done [to Southampton] in the tactical aspect of the game and I would go home and feel like I've failed," Hellberg said.

"When that is taken away from you - 'we're not going to watch every game, we're going to send someone instead and film the sessions and hope they don't get caught' - it breaks my heart in terms of all the things I believe in."

In any other season, talk would now turn to the play-off final on 23 May.

But there is a lot to resolve before Southampton get to take on Hull City for a place in the Premier League.

And there is no absolute certainty that this match will take place.

Southampton have asked for a delay to complete an internal review, but time is one thing the EFL does not have.

For Middlesbrough, only one outcome is acceptable: That they walk out at Wembley a week on Saturday.

What will happen in the next few days will define not just this season for two clubs, but perhaps their futures too.

Boro left in limbo while Saints plan for Wembley​

Image source,Getty Images
Image caption,
Southampton boss Tonda Eckert deflected any questions related to spying across the two legs of the Championship play-off tie

The Championship play-off final is 10 days away. Ticket sales must be organised. Supporters need to know that they can make plans.

But we now enter a process whereby an entire season is about to be decided by an independent disciplinary commission.

For Southampton, it must be business as usual - even if the celebrations on Tuesday were, for obvious reasons, slightly muted.

On Wednesday morning, the club launched a play-off final merchandise range on their website, though there was no promotion across social media.

Tickets for the final will go on sale on Thursday morning - for a match their fans might end up not attending.

At least Saints head coach Tonda Eckert can carry on with some semblance of normality. He has a game to prepare for.

Boro remain in a state of limbo until the independent disciplinary commission convenes.

Rather than continuing to train, BBC Sport understands that the immediate plan is for the players to be given a few days off.

The squad will have to remain on call. They cannot jet off to Dubai, Ibiza or any of the other regular haunts of football stars.

From the outset, Boro have made it clear they expect Southampton to get a sporting sanction. A fine will not be enough to quell their anger.

Boro owner Steve Gibson has reportedly engaged the services of Nick de Marco, the sports lawyer with a record of delivering results in hearings involving the game's governing bodies.

De Marco was recently heavily involved in making sure Sheffield Wednesday would start next season on zero points, when it seemed certain they would get a 15-point deduction.

This time De Marco would be arguing in favour of a penalty, rather than trying to get one removed.

If Gibson does not get the result he wants with the independent disciplinary commission, matters may not end there.

In 2021, Boro launched legal proceedings against Derby County. They claimed the Rams' financial breaches had cost them a play-off place in 2018-19.

The two parties eventually reached a "resolution", which BBC Sport believes resulted in Boro being paid £2m.

If Southampton keep their place in the play-offs, it would be no surprise if Gibson pursued the same route for compensation.

What options are open to the independent disciplinary commission?​

Image source,Getty Images
Image caption,
Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg believes action must be taken against Southampton

The EFL is desperate for the uncertainty to end.

But this is now in the hands of an independent disciplinary commission.

The process is managed by Sport Resolutions, an independent mediation company.

The panel is made up of three members. The chair is usually a judge, lawyer or barrister who is a KC or QC. They sit with two side members who are sports lawyers, barristers or mediators.

Appointments are based on suitability and availability, especially in cases like this which need to be heard quickly.

The independent disciplinary commission will determine the exact timeline - but this is never made public.

But it is highly unlikely the play-off final could be rearranged. Wembley is booked up the following weekend, after which players will head off on international duty.

So this must be sorted well before 23 May.

The EFL has asked for an expedited hearing, while Southampton have argued they need more time to hold an internal review.

The first hearing needs to take place sooner rather than later, as all parties categorised by the independent disciplinary commission as holding an interest must have the right of appeal - and that could include Middlesbrough.

Any ruling from an appeal is considered final. EFL rules do not permit the case to be taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Then there is the logistical nightmare of Boro potentially having to sell a ticket allocation at short notice.

The question now is what a suitable sanction will be - if Southampton are found to be guilty.

No-one can predict what the outcome can be, because there is no direct precedent.

The independent disciplinary commission will, in effect, be creating it - which adds further significance to its decision.

Unlike, say, a profit and sustainability hearing, there is no framework or sliding scale of offence-to-sanction. This is completely new.

When Leeds United were found guilty of spying on Derby seven years ago, they were fined £200,000.

But there are a couple of crucial differences.

Firstly, in 2019 there was no rule which outlawed watching the opposition train before a game.

Leeds could only be charged with breaching regulation E.4, which says clubs must act in the "utmost good faith" to one another.

As a result, the EFL brought in regulation 127, which specifically states "no club shall directly or indirectly observe (or attempt to observe) another club's training session in the period of 72 hours prior to any match".

Southampton are charged with breaching both, and they have made no attempt to deny the allegations.

Then there is the timing. Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa was caught sending a member of his staff to Derby's training ground in the middle of January, hardly a crucial point of the season.

But Saints stand accused of spying on their opponents before one of the most important games of the season, a play-off semi-final.

The feeling at Boro is that if Saints go on to beat Hull and win promotion, the Premier League millions will more than offset any fine.

Boro want Southampton thrown out of the play-offs.

That would most likely be facilitated by Boro being given a default 3-0 win for the first leg, and therefore a 4-2 aggregate victory.

It is rare in English football, but in 2002 West Bromwich Albion were awarded a 3-0 win after their game against Sheffield United was abandoned.

The Blades had three players sent off, and two others went off injured who could not be replaced, which left them below the minimum seven players.

Another option is a points penalty. This could be seen as a halfway house, whereby the independent disciplinary commission dodges the nuclear option of banishing Southampton from the play-offs but still applies a sporting sanction.

If Saints get promoted, the EFL would not be able to apply the penalty in the top flight itself, but it can recommend to the Premier League board that the deduction is carried over.

The independent disciplinary commission must find a punishment which is fair but also acts as a deterrent to any other club who might try to spy - especially before a game of such magnitude.

Could Southampton's coaching staff face sanctions?​

Southampton have been tight-lipped throughout, with the club's media officer shutting down attempts to question Eckert.

And the coaching staff do have questions to answer.

Who knew what, and when? Was there a live stream? Was it uploaded anywhere?

Southampton may try to argue that the spy was acting as a lone wolf, who took it upon himself to travel up to the Rockliffe Park training base 24 hours before the squad flew up.

Hellberg clearly disagrees. He insisted after Tuesday's game that "there's someone who makes decisions to go and try to cheat".

There is a precedent from perhaps football's most high-profile case of spying, from the 2024 Olympics women's tournament in Paris.

Fifa deducted six points from Canada after they were found to have spied on New Zealand using a drone.

World football's governing body also banned three members of Canada's staff, including the head coach, from all football for a year.

Could the independent disciplinary commission hand bans to members of the Southampton coaching staff too?

One argument is that Southampton's fans do not deserve this. That they have followed their team all season, and across 48 games their team have earned the right to play for a place in the Premier League.

Yet without sporting sanctions, it risks creating a Wild West where clubs can pretty much do what they want.

Is there any real punishment if Saints are in the Premier League next season?

How this all ends is anyone's guess.

Southampton

Southampton kicked out of Championship playoff final and docked four points for spying​

• Club admit breaches involving three opponents
• Boro reinstated to take on Hull in playoff final

Playoff final hull vs boro

 

[rocket]

Southampton have been kicked out of the Championship playoff final after being found guilty of spying on multiple opponents during the 2025-26 season.

The EFL has hit Southampton with an additional four-point deduction ahead of next term.


Middlesbrough, who lost to Southampton in their playoff semifinal, have been reinstated and will face Hull City on Saturday for a spot in the Premier League. The final is still scheduled for May 23 but could be further delayed if Southampton appeal the sanction.

The EFL originally charged Southampton with spying on Middlesbrough ahead of the first leg of their playoff semifinal. But further charges were levelled at Southampton on May 17 "in relation to additional breaches during the 2025-26 season" which corresponded to their fixture against Oxford United in Dec. 2025 and Ipswich in April 2026.

Southampton admitted breaches of the regulations "requiring clubs to act with the utmost good faith and prohibiting the observation of another club's training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match".

The EFL added that "Southampton has a right to appeal the Commission's decision in accordance with EFL Regulations and the parties are working to try and resolve any appeal on Wednesday 20 May. Subject to the outcome, it could result in a further change to Saturday's fixture."

 

[metalrover]

Cheaters song bo?