EFL Championship & Lower League Playoff Guide

The quest for promotion to the top tiers of English football is underway as the English Football League (EFL) playoffs commence. These crucial matches determine which teams will ascend to the Premier League, Championship, and League One. The journey culminates in the promotion playoff finals at Wembley Stadium, often dubbed the “richest game in sport.” The 2023 EFL playoff matches were broadcast live on Paramount+.

The 2022-2023 season saw notable achievements, with both Leeds United and Burnley reaching the 100-point mark in the Championship before promotion on goal difference. This marked the first time two clubs in the same English division had accumulated 100 points simultaneously. Adding to this, Birmingham City’s record-breaking season with 111 points contributed to the most teams ever achieving 100+ points in the EFL in a single season.

The playoff route is a demanding path, with twelve teams across three divisions vying for just three additional promotion spots. In the Championship, Coventry City demonstrated strong form under Frank Lampard, with an impressive run pushing them into contention. They face a tough challenge against Sunderland, but form could favour Coventry given Sunderland`s recent inconsistencies. Sheffield United, having missed out on automatic promotion, enter the playoffs seeking a return to the Premier League. Their situation offers a parallel to Leeds United, who won the league after a playoff final loss the previous season. Bristol City secured their playoff spot with a dramatic late comeback draw against Preston North End.

Sunderland`s Promotion Ambitions

Following their relegation from the Premier League in 2017, Sunderland experienced a significant drop, reaching League One before their return to the Championship. Their journey, documented in a TV series, highlights a team built around young talent. While their youthful squad has faced challenges towards the season`s end, holding their own in a difficult away fixture against Coventry could open the door for a potential final appearance, leveraging the home advantage at the Stadium of Light in a potential second leg.

Intensity in League One

The battle for the final promotion spot to the Championship is equally fierce in the League One playoffs. Stockport County and Leyton Orient were among the division`s top-performing teams late in the season, alongside Charlton. The playoffs often favour teams in peak form, and with multiple clubs hitting excellent stride simultaneously, the League One playoff race promised compelling matchups.

Leyton Orient`s attack was notably led by American forward Charlie Kelman. With 21 goals and five assists, the England-born United States youth international was a crucial player for them in their pursuit of promotion to join teams like Wrexham and Birmingham City in the Championship.

Here is a summary of the EFL outcomes and the 2023 playoff schedules as they unfolded:

Promoted to the Premier League

• Burnley
• Leeds United

Qualified for Championship Playoffs

• Bristol City
• Sheffield United
• Coventry City
• Sunderland

Championship Playoff Schedule (May 2023)

• Thursday, May 8: Bristol City vs. Sheffield United, 3 p.m. ET (Paramount+)
• Friday, May 9: Coventry City vs. Sunderland, 3 p.m. ET (Paramount+)
• Monday, May 12: Sheffield United vs. Bristol City, 3 p.m. ET (Paramount+)
• Tuesday, May 13: Sunderland vs. Coventry City, 3 p.m. ET (Paramount+)
• Saturday, May 24: Championship Playoff final (Paramount+)

Relegated to League One

• Luton Town
• Plymouth Argyle
• Cardiff City

Promoted to the Championship

• Birmingham City
• Wrexham

Qualified for League One Playoffs

• Stockport County
• Charlton Athletic
• Wycombe Wanderers
• Leyton Orient

League One Playoff Schedule (May 2023)

• Saturday, May 10: Leyton Orient vs. Stockport County, 7:30 a.m. ET (Paramount+)
• Sunday, May 11: Wycombe Wanderers vs. Charlton Athletic, 1:30 p.m. ET (Paramount+)
• Wednesday, May 14: Stockport County vs. Leyton Orient, 3 p.m. ET (Paramount+)
• Thursday, May 15: Charlton Athletic vs. Wycombe Wanderers, 3 p.m. ET (Paramount+)
• Sunday, May 25: League One playoff final (Paramount+)

Relegated to League Two

• Cambridge United
• Shrewsbury Town
• Bristol Rovers
• Crawley Town

Promoted to League One

• Doncaster Rovers
• Port Vale
• Bradford City

Qualified for League Two Playoffs

• Walsall
• AFC Wimbledon
• Notts County
• Chesterfield

League Two Playoff Schedule (May 2023)

• Sunday, May 11: Chesterfield vs. Walsall, 8:30 a.m. ET (Paramount+)
• Sunday, May 11: Notts County vs. AFC Wimbledon, 1:30 p.m. ET (Paramount+)
• Friday, May 16: Walsall vs. Chesterfield, 3 p.m. ET (Paramount+)
• Saturday, May 17: AFC Wimbledon vs. Notts County, 7:30 a.m. ET (Paramount+)
• Monday, May 26: League Two playoff final (Paramount+)

Relegated to the National League

• Carlisle United
• Morecambe