Championship Promotion Playoff Teams Confirmed

The Championship playoff positions have been confirmed after Saturday’s results, meaning we now know the four teams vying to join Leeds United and Burnley in the Premier League for next season. 

On a dramatic final day of the Championship regular season, five teams went into action battling to secure the two final playoff spots, fifth and sixth positions, with Sheffield United and Sunderland’s third and fourth-place finishes in the table confirmed.

Bristol City’s 2-2 draw against Preston North End and Coventry City’s 2-0 victory over fellow playoff hopefuls Middlesbrough mean that Coventry, managed by Premier League Hall of Famer Frank Lampard, finish in fifth with 69 points, while Bristol City, who have never played in the Premier League, secure the sixth and final playoff spot place with 68 points.

Final Championship standings

Team P GD Pts

Leeds (P) 46 +65 100

Burnley (P) 46 +53 100

Sheff Utd* 46 +27 90

Sunderland* 46 +14 76

Coventry* 46 +6 69

Bristol City* 46 +4 68

Blackburn 46 +5 66

Millwall 46 -2 66

*Qualified for playoffs

How do the Championship playoffs work?

The playoffs involve the four teams that finish directly below the automatic promotion places, with the clubs who finish third to sixth in the Championship after 46 matches competing for that coveted final Premier League spot.

The two-legged playoff semi-finals pit the third-placed team against the side who finished sixth, while the clubs in fourth and fifth will also meet. The teams that finish third and fourth will have home advantage in the second leg.

The winners of those semi-finals will face each other in the playoff final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 24 May to determine who will join the top two in being promoted to the Premier League. 

Playoff dates

All times BST.

Semi-finals 

8 May 20:00 Bristol City v Sheff Utd

9 May 20:00 Coventry v Sunderland

12 May 20:00 Sheff Utd v Bristol City

13 May 20:00 Sunderland v Coventry

Final

24 May (Wembley Stadium).