English Football League play-offs

Last updated
English Football League play-offs
Founded1987
RegionEngland
Wales
Number of teams12 (4 per division)
Television broadcasters Sky Sports
Soccerball current event.svg 2024 English Football League play-offs

The English Football League play-offs are a series of play-off matches contested by four association football teams finishing immediately below the automatic promotion places in the second, third and fourth tiers of the English football league system, namely the EFL Championship, EFL League One and EFL League Two. As of 2022, the play-offs comprise two semi-finals, each conducted as a two-legged tie with games played at each side's home ground. The aggregate winners of the semi-finals progress to the final which is contested at Wembley Stadium, where the victorious side is promoted to the league above, and the runners-up remain in the same division. In the event of drawn ties or finals, extra time followed by a penalty shoot-out are employed as necessary.

Contents

The play-offs were introduced to the English Football League in 1987 and have been staged at the conclusion of every season since. The first three play-off seasons saw the finals also being conducted over two legs, on a home-and-away basis. Since 1990 the winners of each division's play-off competition have been determined in a one-off final. The venue for the final was the original Wembley Stadium for ten years before being moved to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, during Wembley's reconstruction, between 2000 and 2006. Since then, the finals have taken place at the renovated Wembley Stadium every year with the exception of 2011 when the third- and fourth-tier finals were hosted at Old Trafford as a result of a clash of fixtures with that year's UEFA Champions League final. The highest attendance for a championship final was in the 2013–14 season that saw QPR beat Derby County 1–0 with a crowd of 87,348 The play-off finals took place behind closed doors in the 2020 season as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom while a restricted attendance watched the following season's finals.

In 2020, Deloitte reported that the club winning the Championship play-off final could expect a financial bonus of between £135 million and £265 million. This has led to the second-tier play-off final being variously described as "one of the most lucrative games in all of football" and "the richest game in football".

History

The mid-1980s saw a decline in attendances at football matches and public disenchantment with English football. A number of instances of violence and tragedy struck the game. In March 1985 at the semi-final of the 1984–85 Football League Cup between Chelsea and Sunderland more than 100 people were arrested after various invasions of the Stamford Bridge pitch and more than 40 people, including 20 policemen, were injured. [1] Nine days later, violence flared at the FA Cup match between Millwall and Luton Town: seats were used as missiles against the police and resulted in Luton Town banning away supporters. [2] On 11 May, 56 people were killed and 265 injured in the Bradford City stadium fire and less than three weeks later, 39 supporters died and more than 600 were injured in the Heysel Stadium disaster where Liverpool were playing Juventus in the European Cup final. [3]

In an attempt to persuade fans to return to the stadia, the Football League had rejected a £19 million television deal to broadcast matches live on the BBC and ITV before the 1985–86 Football League season, with League president Jack Dunnett suggesting that "football is prepared to have a year or two with no television". [4] In December 1985 a ten-point plan was agreed which aimed to revitalise the financial affairs of the league. This "Heathrow Agreement" included a structural reorganisation of the league, reducing the top tier from 22 clubs to 20, and the introduction of play-offs to facilitate the change. [5] The play-offs were brought in at the end of the 1986–87 Football League season. [6] They were initially introduced for two years, with the provision that if they were successful with the general public they would be retained permanently. [7]

Format

History

For the first two seasons after the play-offs were inaugurated, the semi-finals were played between the three sides finishing below the automatic promotion sides and the team one place above the relegation zone in the division above. [6]

Current

An example of the play-off format, from the 2000 First Division play-offs Example of play-off format from 2000 First Division play-offs.png
An example of the play-off format, from the 2000 First Division play-offs

As of 2021, the English Football League play-offs involve the four teams that finish directly below the automatic promotion places in each of the Championship, League One, and League Two, respectively the second, third, and fourth tiers of the English football league system. These teams meet in a series of play-off matches to determine the final team that will be promoted. The best-ranked team that fails to get automatically promoted plays the worst team that makes the playoffs while the other two teams play against each other, both in a two-legged tie: these matches are referred to as the "play-off semi-finals". The first leg between two teams in the semi-finals is played at the ground of the lower-position team in the league, while the second leg takes place at the higher-ranking side's ground. According to the EFL, "this is designed to give the highest finishing team an advantage". [8]

The winner of each semi-final is determined by the aggregate score across the two legs, with the number of goals scored in each match of the tie being added together. The team with the higher aggregate score qualifies for the final. If, at the end of the regular 90 minutes of the second leg, the aggregate score is level then the match goes into extra time where two 15-minute halves are played. If the score remains level at the end of extra time, the tie is decided by a penalty shootout. The away goals rule does not apply in the play-off semi-finals. [8] The clubs that win the semi-finals then meet at Wembley Stadium, a neutral venue, for a one-off match referred to as the "play-off final". If required, extra time and a penalty shootout can be employed in the same manner as for the semi-finals to determine the winner. The runner-up and losing semi-finalists remain in the same league while the winning side are promoted. [8]

Play-off nomenclature
YearsSecond tierThird tierFourth tier
1987–1992 Football League Second Division play-offs Football League Third Division play-offs Football League Fourth Division play-offs
1993–2004 Football League First Division play-offs Football League Second Division play-offs Football League Third Division play-offs
2005–2015 Football League Championship play-offs Football League One play-offs Football League Two play-offs
2016–present EFL Championship play-offs EFL League One play-offs EFL League Two play-offs

Changes to format

During the first two stagings of the play-offs in 1987 and 1988, the four teams involved were the three clubs that finished directly below the automatic promotions positions, plus the club which finished directly above the automatic relegation places in the division above, similar to the Football League test matches of the 1890s.

This was part of the league's two-season-long restructuring that would reduce the number of teams in the top tier (from 22 to 20) while increasing them in the lower divisions (creating three divisions of 24 clubs); during these seasons, only one club (Charlton Athletic in 1987) that entered the play-offs in a relegation place managed to win the play-offs and therefore retain their divisional status.

In the seasons prior to the 1990 play-offs, the finals were two-legged ties with both teams hosting the other once. If the two teams could not be separated, a tie-breaker was then staged at a neutral venue. This was used on three occasions: the 1987 Second Division final was played at Birmingham City's St. Andrews; the 1987 Third Division final was played at Crystal Palace's Selhurst Park; and the 1988 Third Division final was played at Walsall's Fellows Park (though this was not a neutral venue, as Walsall was one of the clubs involved).

Before the 1999–2000 season away goals were used as a tie-breaker after extra time had been played, however, this was abolished following a club initiative launched by then-Ipswich Town chairman David Sheepshanks, after his club had twice lost on away goals in 1997 and 1999. Since then away goals have played no part in the play-off system. [9]

Proposed changes

A change to the format of the play-offs was proposed by Crystal Palace chief executive Phil Alexander in 2003. Alexander recommended expanding the number of teams in each play-off series from four to six, providing more clubs with a chance at promotion. Additionally, the two-legged semi-finals would have been replaced by one-off quarter-final and semi-final games, both of which would give home advantage to the team that finished higher during the league season. The two highest placed clubs in the play-off series would advance directly to the semi-final, while the other four clubs would contest the quarter-final. [10]

The proposed changes were narrowly approved by Football League chairmen and were set to be voted upon at the league's annual general meeting. [11] The motion was withdrawn however, due to objections received from the Premier League and The Football Association. [12]

Venues

Play-off final venues
YearsVenue
1987–1989Home and away
1990–2000 Wembley Stadium (former)
2001–2006 Millennium Stadium
2007–2010 Wembley Stadium
2011Wembley Stadium/Old Trafford
2012–PresentWembley Stadium

Throughout the history of the English Football League play-offs, the semi-finals have been conducted as two-legged matches played at the two stadia of the competing teams, less than a week apart. Between the 1987 and 1989 Football League play-offs, the finals were also played on a home-and-away basis over two matches, occasionally with a replay being required: in the 1988 Football League Third Division play-off final, the aggregate score after the two legs between Walsall and Bristol City was 3–3, so a penalty shoot-out was used to determine which side would host the replay. Walsall won 4–2 and earned the right to play the deciding match at their home ground, Fellows Park, [13] where they triumphed 4–0. [14]

From the 1990 play-offs, each play-off final was a single match, which was hosted at the original Wembley Stadium. Typically, the finals of the three divisions would take place, one match per day, across the second bank holiday weekend in May. [15] During that first "Wembley Weekend" in 1990, spectators totalled almost 130,000, including nearly 73,000 for the Second Division final between Swindon Town and Sunderland. This was markedly greater than the largest crowd during the 1989–90 First Division season, around 47,000, at Old Trafford to watch Manchester United against Arsenal, and roughly the same as the attendance at the 1990 FIFA World Cup Final. [16] All of the second tier play-off finals played between 1990 and 1999 attracted crowds in excess of 55,000 with half of them seeing more than 70,000 in attendance. [17] During that period, the record attendance for the third-tier decider came at the 1999 Football League Second Division play-off final when 76,935 people watched Manchester City beat Gillingham in a penalty shoot-out after scoring twice in the final two minutes to force the match into extra time. [18] The former Wembley Stadium record for attendance in the fourth tier play-off final came in 1997 when a crowd of 46,804 witnessed Northampton Town's John Frain score in the last minute of the match to beat Swansea City 1–0. [19]

The play-off finals were held outside England for the first time from the 2000 season. Due to the redevelopment of Wembley Stadium, along with the FA Cup Final, they were hosted by the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. [20] Teams who prepared for matches, including in cup competitions, in the south changing room went undefeated in twelve consecutive games, however the "jinx" was broken in the 2002 Football League Second Division play-off final when Stoke City beat Brentford after having used the north changing room. [21] [22] Attendances at the Welsh national stadium continued to be high with the second tier finals attracting more than 65,000 spectators on all but one occasion, and the 2003 third tier final watched by 66,096 people when Cardiff City beat Queens Park Rangers 1–0 with an extra-time goal from Andy Campbell. [23]

The play-off finals returned to Wembley Stadium for the first time after its renovation in the 2007 season, and over the next five seasons attendances improved further. The 2007 fourth tier play-off final between Bristol Rovers and Shrewsbury Town drew a crowd of 61,589, [24] while 75,132 people watched Doncaster Rovers beat Leeds United 1–0 in the 2008 Football League One play-off final. [25] The same season saw 86,703 in attendance at the Championship play-off final in which Hull City beat Bristol City 1–0. [25] Owing to the 2011 UEFA Champions League Final being held at Wembley Stadium on 28 May 2011, it was confirmed in January 2011 that Wembley would host the Championship play-off final on 30 May, while Old Trafford would host the League Two and League One finals on the preceding two days. [26] From the 2012 final onwards, all three division's final match was hosted by the national stadium. For the 2020 finals, all three games were delayed until August and played behind closed doors, with an official attendance of zero, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom. [27] [28] [29] The following season, a restricted number of supporters were allowed to attend the finals. [30] The 2021 EFL Championship play-off final was watched by 11,689 spectators, [31] while the third and fourth tier finals both saw crowds of under 10,000. [32] [33]

Prize

The minimum value of winning the second tier play-off final over three years [34] [35] [36] [37]

The significant financial boost from winning the Championship play-off final has led to it being described as "one of the most lucrative games in all of football", and "the richest game in soccer". [37] [38] Accountants Deloitte described the 2020 final as the "contest for biggest financial prize in world football" with promotion worth at least £135 million in the first season after promotion and an additional £130 million the following season should an immediate relegation be avoided. [39] [40] [41] However, by convention the two finalists agree that the loser will keep all the gate receipts from the game, so as to slightly soften the financial blow of missing out. [42] [43]

As the gulf in financial power between clubs in the Premier League and the Championship widened, in the 2006-07 season parachute payments were introduced to reduce the impact of relegation. Thus for two seasons following relegation a club would receive half of the per-club Premier League basic television money. The parachute payments were intended to lower the risk of a club going into administration due to the high cost base (mainly player wages) they brought from the higher division. In addition "solidarity payments" from the Premier League worth £1m were paid to each Championship club to help mitigate concerns about the impact the parachute payments might have to the competitive balance of the league. [44] As a result, should the Championship play-off winners be relegated in their first season in the Premier League, as of 2020 they would still receive a total of around £75 million in "parachute payments" over the next two seasons. [39]

The financial value of winning the EFL League One play-off is the additional remuneration clubs receive in the Championship. As of 2018 clubs in the third tier receive around £1.4 million, comprising a "basic award" and a "solidarity" payment, the latter of which is funded by the Premier League. [45] In the second tier, the total funding rises to around £7 million, a fivefold increase in revenue. [46] [47] Similarly the financial benefit of winning the lower league play-offs is derived from the additional remuneration clubs receive in the league above. For example, as of 2020, clubs in League One receive around £675,000 from the Premier League as a "core club" payment compared to £450,000 in League Two. [48] [49] The winners of each final also receive a trophy. [50] [51] [52] [53]

Past winners

Key to list of winners and runner-sup
YearLink to play-off article for specified year
Winner (X)Team that won play-off final, (X) indicates cumulative number of play-off final victories
ScoreLink to play-off final article for the specified match
^Final played over two legs
RFinal decided by a replay
a.e.t.Final went to extra time
pen.Final decided by a penalty shoot-out
Runner-upTeam that lost play-off final
YearSecond tierThird tierFourth tier
WinnerFinal
score		Runner-upWinnerFinal
score		Runner-upWinnerFinal
score		Runner-up
1987^ Charlton Athletic 2–1 R Leeds United Swindon Town 2–0 R Gillingham Aldershot 3–0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
1988^ Middlesbrough 2–1 Chelsea Walsall 4–0 R Bristol City Swansea City 5–4 Torquay United
1989^ Crystal Palace 4–3 Blackburn Rovers Port Vale 2–1 Bristol Rovers Leyton Orient 2–1 Wrexham
1990 Swindon Town 1–0 [lower-alpha 1] Sunderland Notts County 2–0 Tranmere Rovers Cambridge United 1–0 Chesterfield
1991 Notts County 3–1 Brighton & Hove Albion Tranmere Rovers 1–0 Bolton Wanderers Torquay United 2–2 ( a.e.t. )
(5–4 pen.)		 Blackpool
1992 Blackburn Rovers 1–0 Leicester City Peterborough United 2–1 Stockport County Blackpool 1–1 ( a.e.t. )
(4–3 pen.)		 Scunthorpe United
1993 Swindon Town (2) 4–3 Leicester City West Bromwich Albion 3–0 Port Vale York City 1–1 ( a.e.t. )
(5–3 pen.)		 Crewe Alexandra
1994 Leicester City 2–1 Derby County Burnley 2–1 Stockport County Wycombe Wanderers 4–2 Preston North End
1995 Bolton Wanderers 4–3 ( a.e.t. ) Reading Huddersfield Town 2–1 Bristol Rovers Chesterfield 2–0 Bury
1996 Leicester City (2) 2–1 ( a.e.t. ) Crystal Palace Bradford City 1–0 Notts County Plymouth Argyle 1–0 Darlington
1997 Crystal Palace (2) 1–0 Sheffield United Crewe Alexandra 1–0 Brentford Northampton Town 1–0 Swansea City
1998 Charlton Athletic (2) 4–4 ( a.e.t. )
(7–6 pen.)		 Sunderland Grimsby Town 1–0 Northampton Town Colchester United 1–0 Torquay United
1999 Watford 2–0 Bolton Wanderers Manchester City 2–2 ( a.e.t. )
(3–1 pen.)		 Gillingham Scunthorpe United 1–0 Leyton Orient
2000 Ipswich Town 4–2 Barnsley Gillingham 3–2 ( a.e.t. ) Wigan Athletic Peterborough United 1–0 Darlington
2001 Bolton Wanderers (2) 3–0 Preston North End Walsall (2) 3–2 ( a.e.t. ) Reading Blackpool (2) 4–2 Leyton Orient
2002 Birmingham City 1–1 ( a.e.t. )
(4–2 pen.)		 Norwich City Stoke City 2–0 Brentford Cheltenham Town 3–1 Rushden & Diamonds
2003 Wolverhampton Wanderers 3–0 Sheffield United Cardiff City 1–0 ( a.e.t. ) Queens Park Rangers Bournemouth 5–2 Lincoln City
2004 Crystal Palace (3) 1–0 West Ham United Brighton & Hove Albion 1–0 Bristol City Huddersfield Town 0–0 ( a.e.t. )
(4–1 pen.)		 Mansfield Town
2005 West Ham United 1–0 Preston North End Sheffield Wednesday 4–2 ( a.e.t. ) Hartlepool United Southend United 2–0 ( a.e.t. ) Lincoln City
2006 Watford (2) 3–0 Leeds United Barnsley 2–2 ( a.e.t. )
(4–3 pen.)		 Swansea City Cheltenham Town (2) 1–0 Grimsby Town
2007 Derby County 1–0 West Bromwich Albion Blackpool 2–0 Yeovil Town Bristol Rovers 3–1 Shrewsbury Town
2008 Hull City 1–0 Bristol City Doncaster Rovers 1–0 Leeds United Stockport County 3–2 Rochdale
2009 Burnley 1–0 Sheffield United Scunthorpe United 3–2 Millwall Gillingham 1–0 Shrewsbury Town
2010 Blackpool 3–2 Cardiff City Millwall 1–0 Swindon Town Dagenham & Redbridge 3–2 Rotherham United
2011 Swansea City 4–2 Reading Peterborough United (2) 3–0 Huddersfield Town Stevenage 1–0 Torquay United
2012 West Ham United (2) 2–1 Blackpool Huddersfield Town (2) 0–0 ( a.e.t. )
(8–7 pen.)		 Sheffield United Crewe Alexandra 2–0 Cheltenham Town
2013 Crystal Palace (4) 1–0 ( a.e.t. ) Watford Yeovil Town 2–1 Brentford Bradford City 3–0 Northampton Town
2014 Queens Park Rangers 1–0 Derby County Rotherham United 2–2 ( a.e.t. )
(4–3 pen.)		 Leyton Orient Fleetwood Town 1–0 Burton Albion
2015 Norwich City 2–0 Middlesbrough Preston North End 4–0 Swindon Town Southend United (2) 1–1 ( a.e.t. )
(7–6 pen.)		 Wycombe Wanderers
2016 Hull City (2) 1–0 Sheffield Wednesday Barnsley (2) 3–1 Millwall AFC Wimbledon 2–0 Plymouth Argyle
2017 Huddersfield Town 0–0 ( a.e.t. )
(4–3 pen.)		 Reading Millwall (2) 1–0 Bradford City Blackpool (3) 2–1 Exeter City
2018 Fulham 1–0 Aston Villa Rotherham United (2) 2–1 ( a.e.t. ) Shrewsbury Town Coventry City 3–1 Exeter City
2019 Aston Villa 2–1 Derby County Charlton Athletic 2–1 Sunderland Tranmere Rovers 1–0 ( a.e.t. ) Newport County
2020 Fulham (2) 2–1 Brentford Wycombe Wanderers 2–1 Oxford United Northampton Town (2) 4–0 Exeter City
2021 Brentford 2–0 Swansea City Blackpool (2) 2–1 Lincoln City Morecambe 1–0 Newport County
2022 Nottingham Forest 1–0 Huddersfield Town Sunderland 2–0 Wycombe Wanderers Port Vale 3–0 Mansfield Town
2023 Luton Town 1–1 ( a.e.t. )
(6–5 pen.)		 Coventry City Sheffield Wednesday (2) 1–0 ( a.e.t. ) Barnsley Carlisle United 1–1 ( a.e.t. )
(5–4 pen.)		 Stockport County
2024 Southampton 1–0 Leeds United Oxford United 2–0 Bolton Wanderers Crawley Town 2–0 Crewe Alexandra

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Owing to financial irregularities, Swindon Town were prevented from taking their place in the top division, which was instead awarded to the losing finalists, Sunderland. [54]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">EFL Championship</span> Second tier of English league football

The English Football League Championship, known simply as the Championship in England and for sponsorship purposes as Sky Bet Championship, is the highest division of the English Football League (EFL) and second-highest overall in the English football league system, after the Premier League, and is currently contested by 24 clubs.

The English Football League Championship play-offs are a series of play-off matches contested by the association football teams finishing from third to sixth in the EFL Championship table and are part of the English Football League play-offs. As of 2024, the play-offs comprise two semi-finals, where the team finishing third plays the team finishing sixth, and the team finishing fourth plays the team finishing fifth, each conducted as a two-legged tie. The winners of the semi-finals progress to the final which is contested at Wembley Stadium. The Championship play-off final is considered the most valuable single football match in the world as a result of the increase in revenue to the winning club from sponsorship and media agreements.

The EFL League One play-offs are a series of play-off matches contested by the association football teams finishing from third to sixth in the EFL League One table and are part of the English Football League play-offs. As of 2022, the play-offs comprise two semi-finals, where the team finishing third plays the team finishing sixth, and the team finishing fourth plays the team finishing fifth, each conducted as a two-legged tie. The winners of the semi-finals progress to the final which is contested at Wembley Stadium.

The EFL League Two play-offs are a series of play-off matches contested by the association football teams finishing from fourth to seventh in EFL League Two, the fourth tier of the English football league system. They are part of the annual English Football League play-offs. As of 2022, the play-offs comprise two semi-finals, where the team finishing fourth plays the team finishing seventh, and the team finishing fifth plays the team finishing sixth, each conducted as a two-legged tie. The winners of the semi-finals progress to the final which is contested at Wembley Stadium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1995 Football League Second Division play-off final</span> Association football match

The 1995 Football League Second Division play-off final was an association football match which was played on 28 May 1995 at Wembley Stadium, London, between Huddersfield Town and Bristol Rovers. It was to determine the second team to gain promotion from the Football League Second Division to the First Division. Only Birmingham City, the champions of the 1994–95 Football League Second Division league, gained automatic promotion to the First Division due to the reduction of the Premier League from 22 to 20 teams. The sides placed from second to fifth place in the table took part in play-offs. The winners of the play-off semi-finals competed for the final place for the 1995–96 season in the First Division. The losing semi-finalists were Brentford and Crewe Alexandra who had been defeated by Huddersfield and Bristol Rovers respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 Football League One play-off final</span> Football match

The 2013 Football League One play-off final was an association football match which was played on 19 May 2013 at Wembley Stadium, London, between Brentford and Yeovil Town to determine the third and final team to gain promotion from Football League One to the Football League Championship. The top two teams of the 2012–13 Football League One season, Doncaster Rovers and Bournemouth, gained automatic promotion to the Championship, while the teams placed from third to sixth place in the table took part in play-off semi-finals; the winners of these semi-finals competed for the final place for the 2013–14 season in the Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Football League One play-off final</span> Association football match between Barnsley and Millwall in 2016

The 2016 EFL League One play-off final was an association football match which was played on 29 May 2016 at Wembley Stadium, London, between Barnsley and Millwall to determine the third and final team to gain promotion from EFL League One to the EFL Championship. The top two teams of the 2015–16 Football League One season gained automatic promotion to the Championship, while the teams placed from third to sixth place in the table partook in play-off semi-finals; the winners of these semi-finals competed for the final place for the 2016–17 season in the Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 EFL League One play-off final</span> Football match

The 2017 EFL League One play-off final was an association football match which was played on 20 May 2017 at Wembley Stadium, London, between Bradford City and Millwall to determine the third and final team to gain promotion from EFL League One to the EFL Championship. The top two teams of the 2016–17 EFL League One season gained automatic promotion to the Championship, while the teams placed from third to sixth place in the table partook in play-off semi-finals; the winners of these semi-finals competed for the final place for the 2017–18 season in the Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 English Football League play-offs</span> Football league season

The English Football League play-offs for the 2017–18 season (referred to as the Sky Bet Play-Offs for sponsorship reasons) were held in May 2018 with all finals being staged at Wembley Stadium in London. The play-offs began in each league with two semi-finals played over two legs. The teams who finished in 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th place in the Championship and League One and the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th-placed teams in League Two competed. The winners of the semi-finals advanced to the finals, with the winners gaining promotion for the following season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 EFL League Two play-off final</span> UK football match that determined who moved up to "League One" of English football

The 2018 EFL League Two play-off final was an association football match played on 28 May 2018 at Wembley Stadium, London, between Coventry City and Exeter City. The match determined the fourth and final team to gain promotion from EFL League Two, English football's fourth tier, to EFL League One. The top three teams of the 2017–18 EFL League Two season gained automatic promotion to League One, while the teams placed from fourth to seventh in the table took part in play-off semi-finals; the winners of these semi-finals competed for the final place for the 2018–19 season in League One. Exeter finished in fourth place while Coventry ended the season in sixth position. Lincoln City and Notts County were the losing semi-finalists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 EFL League One play-off final</span> Association football match between Charlton Athletic and Sunderland in 2019

The 2019 EFL League One play-off final was an association football match which was played on 26 May 2019 at Wembley Stadium, London, between Charlton Athletic and Sunderland to determine the third and final team to gain promotion from EFL League One to the EFL Championship. The top two teams of the 2018–19 EFL League One season gained automatic promotion to the Championship, while the teams placed from third to sixth place in the table partook in play-off semi-finals; the winners of these semi-finals competed for the final place for the 2019–20 season in the Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 English Football League play-offs</span> Football league season

The English Football League play-offs for the 2019–20 season were held in June, July and August 2020 with all finals played at Wembley Stadium in London. The play-offs began in each league with two semi-finals played over two legs. The teams who finished in 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th place in the Championship and League One and the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th-placed teams in League Two were set to compete. The winners of the semi-finals advanced to the finals, with the winner of the final gaining promotion for the following season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 English Football League play-offs</span> Football competitions

The English Football League play-offs for the 2020–21 season were held in May 2021, with all finals played at Wembley Stadium in London. The play-offs begin in each league with two semi-finals played over two legs. The teams who finished in 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th place in the Championship and League One and the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th-placed teams in League Two are set to compete. The winners of the semi-finals advance to the finals, with the winner of the final gaining promotion for the following season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 EFL Championship play-off final</span> Association football match

The 2021 EFL Championship play-off final was an association football match which was played on 29 May 2021 at Wembley Stadium, London, to determine the third and final team to gain promotion from the EFL Championship, the second tier of English football, to the Premier League. The top two teams of the 2020–21 EFL Championship, Norwich City and Watford, gained automatic promotion to the Premier League, while the clubs placed from third to sixth in the table took part in 2021 English Football League play-offs. Brentford and Swansea City competed for the final place for the 2021–22 season in the Premier League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 EFL League One play-off final</span> Association football match

The 2021 EFL League One play-off final was an association football match which was played on 30 May 2021 at Wembley Stadium, London, to determine the third and final team to gain promotion from EFL League One, the third tier of English football, to the EFL Championship. The top two teams of 2020–21 EFL League One, Hull City and Peterborough United, gained automatic promotion to the Championship, while the clubs placed from third to sixth place in the table took part in the 2021 English Football League play-offs. The winners of the play-off semi-finals competed for the final place for the 2021–22 season in the Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 EFL League One play-off final</span> Association football match

The 2022 EFL League One play-off final was an association football match between Wycombe Wanderers and Sunderland on 21 May 2022 at Wembley Stadium, London. It was to determine the third and final team to gain promotion from EFL League One, the third tier of English football, to the EFL Championship. The top two teams of 2021–22 EFL League One, Wigan Athletic and Rotherham United, gained automatic promotion to the Championship, while the clubs placed from third to sixth place in the table took part in the 2022 English Football League play-offs. The winners of the play-off semi-finals competed for the final place for the 2022–23 season in the Championship.

References

  1. ↑ Foster 2015, p. 12.
  2. ↑ Foster 2015, p. 13.
  3. ↑ Foster 2015, pp. 14–15.
  4. ↑ Foster 2015, p. 19.
  5. ↑ Foster 2015, p. 18.
  6. 1 2 Pye, Steven (22 May 2015). "How Charlton, Swindon and Aldershot triumphed in the first play-offs in 1987". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 3 June 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  7. ↑ Foster 2015, p. 27.
  8. 1 2 3 EFL. "About the Play-Offs". EFL. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  9. ↑ Shaw, Dominic (14 May 2018). "Play-off dates, away goal rule & new technology". Gazette Live. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  10. ↑ "Play-offs set for shake-up". BBC Sport. 7 March 2003. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
  11. ↑ Warshaw, Andrew (5 June 2003). "Radical plan for expansion of play-offs to be rejected". The Independent . Archived from the original on September 13, 2011. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
  12. ↑ "Play-off plans shelved". BBC Sport. 5 June 2003. Retrieved 8 May 2011.
  13. ↑ Bateman, Cynthia (30 May 1988). "A Shutt and open case". The Guardian . p. 18. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ Bateman, Cynthia (31 May 1988). "Kelly's rule of three". The Guardian . p. 12. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 19 April 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ Foster 2015, p. 65.
  16. ↑ Foster 2015, p. 66.
  17. ↑ Foster 2015, pp. 200–210.
  18. ↑ Foster 2015, p. 209.
  19. ↑ Foster 2015, p. 207.
  20. ↑ Rees, Paul; Chaudhary, Vivek (4 January 2001). "Cardiff to host next three FA Cup finals" . The Guardian . p. 28. Retrieved 31 January 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  21. ↑ "Stadium jinx finally ends". BBC News. 11 May 2002. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  22. ↑ "Stoke seal promotion". BBC Sport. 11 May 2002. Archived from the original on 17 December 2003. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  23. ↑ Foster 2015, pp. 211–216.
  24. ↑ Foster 2015, p. 217.
  25. 1 2 Foster 2015, p. 218.
  26. ↑ "Old Trafford to host League One and Two play-off finals". BBC News. 21 January 2011. Archived from the original on 25 January 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  27. ↑ "Next up: Fulham". Brentford F.C. 31 July 2020. Archived from the original on 8 October 2020. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  28. ↑ "Feature: Wycombe Wanderers' history makers". English Football League. 13 July 2020. Archived from the original on 14 July 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  29. ↑ "Exeter and Northampton Town to face off in the 2019/20 League Two Play-Off Final League Two play-offs". English Football League. Archived from the original on 26 June 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  30. ↑ "Sky Bet EFL Play-Offs to welcome supporters". English Football League. 11 May 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  31. ↑ Vincent, Gareth (29 May 2001). "Brentford 2–0 Swansea City". BBC Sport . Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  32. ↑ Freeman, Jay (30 May 2001). "Blackpool 2–1 Lincoln City". BBC Sport . Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  33. ↑ Pearlman, Michael (30 May 2001). "Morecambe 1–0 Newport County". BBC Sport . Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  34. ↑ Foster 2015, p. 112.
  35. ↑ "All eyes on the Riverside for the biggest-ever financial prize in world football". Deloitte. 6 May 2016. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  36. ↑ "Roar power – Annual Review of Football Finance 2018" (PDF). Deloitte. June 2018. p. 26. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  37. 1 2 Pattle, Alex (29 May 2021). "How much is winning the Championship play-off final worth?". The Independent . Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  38. ↑ Scott, Matt (29 May 2018). "Why the Championship play-off final is the richest game in soccer". ESPN . Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  39. 1 2 "Brentford and Fulham contest for biggest financial prize in world football". Deloitte. 3 August 2020. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  40. ↑ "In the Money: How much is the Championship Play Off final really worth?". TalkSport. 27 May 2019. Archived from the original on 28 July 2019. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
  41. ↑ Cuff, Andrew (3 May 2007). "Promotion worth £60m". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 2 April 2008. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  42. ↑ "Losers in line for final windfall". BBC Sport. 15 May 2006. Archived from the original on 19 May 2009. Retrieved 18 May 2008.
  43. ↑ Foster 2015, p. 35.
  44. ↑ "Promised land of promotion comes at a steep price". The Guardian . 28 May 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  45. ↑ "Premier League reveals funding for EFL clubs in 2019/20". Premier League. 18 December 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  46. ↑ "Shrewsbury Town: League One club can earn huge cash increase with promotion". BBC Sport. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  47. ↑ Evely, John (27 May 2018). "How much Championship promotion is worth to Rotherham United and League One teams". Bristol Post . Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  48. ↑ "Premier League reveals funding for EFL clubs in 2019/20". Premier League. 18 December 2020. Archived from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  49. ↑ "Premier League 2019/20 funding for EFL clubs". Premier League. 18 December 2020. Archived from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  50. ↑ "Sky Bet League Two Play-Off Final: Cullen and Potts fire Blackpool to promotion". English Football League. 28 May 2017. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  51. ↑ Miller, Nick (29 May 2016). "Barnsley promoted to Championship with play-off final win over Millwall". The Guardian . Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  52. ↑ "Get your hands on the League One play-off final trophy before Tuesday's game". Charlton Athletic F.C. 12 August 2019. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  53. ↑ "Gallery: Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final". English Football League. 5 August 2020. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  54. ↑ Foster 2015, pp. 69–70.

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.