EFL drops Championship playoffs announcement Southampton were waiting for

The EFL have released the Championship playoffs schedule to decide the Wembley Final winner of the 2025/26 campaign.

Southampton’s sole objective for the 2025/26 campaign has been to return to the Premier League. While a horror start under Will Still threatened to derail that goal, the Saints are very much back on track for the promotion goal under Tonda Eckert.

Saints headed into the March international break sitting sixth in the Championship table. While there’s still time before they resume their promotion charge, a key EFL announcement has had all their attention.

Notably, the EFL has released the Championship playoff schedule. The semi‑finals are set for the first weeks of May 2026, with the Wembley playoff final scheduled for 23rd May.

EFL drop Championship playoffs dates

A detailed look at the released EFL schedule shows that the first leg of the Championship playoff semi‑finals will take place on 8–9th May. The decisive second leg follows around three days later for both ties.

The complete playoff semi-finals schedule is as follows:

Semi-final 1st Leg(6th(H) vs 3rd(A)): Friday, 8 May 2026, kickoff at 20:00 BST

Semi-final 1st Leg(5th(H) vs 4th(A)): Saturday, 9 May 2026, kickoff at 12:30 BST

Semi-final 2nd Leg(3rd(H) vs 6th(A)): Monday, 11 May 2026, kickoff at 20:00 BST

Semi-final 2nd Leg(4th(H) vs 5th(A)): Tuesday, 12 May 2026, kickoff at 20:0 BST

The two teams going through will battle it out to decide the playoff winner in the Wembley Final on 23rd May.

The playoff Final schedule is as follows:

Play-Off Finals: Saturday, 23 May 2026, kickoff at 12:30 BST

When does Southampton play in the playoffs(if qualified)

Southampton’s priority battle is to retain their playoff spot until the end of the regular campaign. While that should be the focus, the Saints would want to climb as high as possible to gain any advantage that comes with a better finish.

If Southampton finish the season in their current 6th spot, they face off against the 3rd‑placed side in the two-legged playoff semi-final on 8th May and 11th May.

Should the Saints manage their way to a 5th spot finish, they get to face

the 4th‑placed side in the two-legged playoff semi-final on 9th May and 12th May.

A 4th or 5th place finish offers the advantage of knowing the result from the other semi‑final before playing your own second leg. More importantly, finishing higher guarantees a home advantage in the decisive leg.

It must be noted that even automatic promotion isn’t ruled out for Southampton yet. However, it’s more than likely that they finish their campaign at the 5th or 6th spot.

If that happens, Southampton will enjoy home advantage at St. Mary’s for the first leg of the playoff semi‑final. But it comes with the catch that if the decisive second leg goes to extra time and penalties, they’ll be away.

Overall, the best scenario would be for Southampton to target a 3rd spot or 4th spot finish. While those chances look slim day by day, such a finish would offer perhaps an easier path to the playoff final.

Who can Southampton face in the playoffs?

Southampton’s playoff opponent depends solely on their finish in the Championship table. While a lot can change in the nine matchdays to go, they could realistically face off against Millwall in the semi-finals.

Although Southampton currently sit 6th and are three points behind Hull, Tonda’s side will back themselves to leapfrog the inconsistent Tigers for 5th spot. While 4th‑placed Millwall could still climb higher, the fierce battle between Ipswich and Middlesbrough for second place means the Lions are more likely to finish in their existing position.

It’s worth noting that Southampton have defeated none of Millwall, Ipswich and Middlesbrough so far this season. If the Saints want to fancy their promotion chances, this needs to change soon.

However, that’s easier said than done against either of them. If Southampton match up against Millwall eventually, Tonda Eckert’s side would be tested by a hostile Den atmosphere in the second leg.

Southampton have already suffered a painful last-minute defeat at the Den this season. The Saints wouldn’t want to add another bad memory this time around.

Of course, it’s still speculation that Millwall will be their playoff opponents. But if push comes to shove, the Saints need to be ready to back themselves to win away at the Den.