Final Day in the Championship – Which clubs are fighting for the Premier League?

The mammoth league is over – Matchday 46 of the English Championship on May 3, 2025, delivered a dramatic “Final Day”. Four clubs still had a chance to qualify for the 2025/2026 season in the Premier League. One former Premier League club was relegated. Our recap aims to capture some of the excitement the Championship has to offer.

But first: credit where credit is due! Congratulations, Leeds United and Burnley FC! Kudos to Leeds and Burnley, who return to the English top flight with 100 points each. What an achievement! 

Promotion giants: 100 points each for Leeds and Burnley 

The “Peacocks” of Leeds United, coached by German manager Daniel Farke, scored 95 goals in 46 games and boast the league's top scorer in Joel Piroe, who netted 19 times. 

Josh Brownhill of runners-up and fellow promoted side Burnley scored 18 goals in 41 appearances for “The Clarets”.

At the end of a long “Final Day” in the Championship, the jubilant champions of Leeds United – after a stoppage-time 2-1 win away at Liverpool cup slayers Plymouth Argyle – posed for the winner’s photo with the trophy. All’s well that ends well. 

“A moving, emotional day” 

“It feels really good,” said Leeds coach Daniel Farke, who took a quiet moment with the trophy on the empty celebration stage, speaking to BBC Sport. “But I also want to congratulate Burnley and Scott Parker; they did a fantastic job. It was a moving, emotional final day because we had invested so much and were determined to reward ourselves with the title.” 

Burnley coach Scott Parker was also rightly proud of his team’s performance. “If someone had told me we’d reach 100 points, go unbeaten in 33 games and concede only 16 goals, I’d have said: No chance!” Parker told BBC Radio Lancashire. “We’ve played remarkably this year.” 

Luton Town: From Premier League to League One 

Let’s not forget the losers! On Matchday 46, there were bitter tears at Luton Town. “The Hatters” were relegated from the Premier League to League One. 
A 3-5 loss at West Bromwich Albion – after trailing 1-5 from Luton’s perspective after an hour – sent “The Hatters” down due to a goal difference 14 goals worse than Hull City (1-1 away at Portsmouth), who stayed just above the dreaded line.

Also relegated were Plymouth and former Premier League side Cardiff City, ending their 2024/2025 Championship season in disappointment.

Football trips Championship: Jack Rudoni (center) fired Coventry City into the Premier League playoff semifinals with a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough on Matchday 46 of the Championship. Photo: Imago Images / Shutterstock

Drama on the road to the Premier League playoffs

The end of the regular Championship season doesn’t mean it’s all over. 

The playoff semifinals will reignite the race for the final Premier League ticket for the 2025/2026 season.
One English football icon also had reason to celebrate on this final matchday. Frank “Lamps” Lampard, who won the Premier League with Chelsea FC as a player 20 years ago, led his Coventry City team to a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough, securing a playoff spot.

This, after Lampard had taken over Coventry in November 2024 when they were 16th – guiding them into the top ranks with 16 wins. “We’ve worked very hard since the coach took over,” said Coventry’s matchwinner Jack Rudoni to Sky Sports UK. “The atmosphere was unreal.” 

Coventry City last played in the Premier League in the 2000/2001 season.

Millwall FC, who have never played there, and former champions Blackburn Rovers were the big losers in the race for the playoff spots.

Millwall lost 1-3 away at runners-up Burnley at Turf Moor and would have needed a win to outpace Bristol City. 

So did Blackburn, who failed to hold a 1-0 lead at Sheffield United. Coach and former Bundesliga pro Valerien Ismael’s team was on course for the playoffs for just nine minutes. Anel Ahmedhodzic equalized for Burnley in the 59th minute.

2-2 after 0-2 – Bristol City turns it around and makes it

Celebrations instead in the southwest of England. Bristol City can still dream of promotion to the Premier League. For “The Robins”, a 2-2 home draw against Preston North End at Ashton Gate was enough. And it came with drama: trailing 0-2 after 60 minutes, Ross McCrorie scored twice (69’ / 74’) in five minutes to spark wild celebrations. After the final whistle, fans stormed the pitch and Bristol coach Liam Manning was simply overjoyed: “Our shirt says: Always believe – and my boys gave everything for that shirt.” 

What are the 2025/2026 Premier League playoff matchups – and when?

Four clubs still have a shot at qualifying for the Premier League via the playoffs and joining the world’s top league in the 2025/2026 season. Bristol City will face Sheffield United in the first playoff semifinal on May 8, 2025, while Coventry City hosts AFC Sunderland on May 9, 2025 (both games at 9 PM). 

The second legs will take place on May 12/13, 2025 (9 PM) with Sheffield United vs. Bristol Rovers and AFC Sunderland vs. Coventry City. 

When is the 2025 Championship Playoff Final for the Premier League?

The winners of the two playoff semifinals will play on May 24, 2025, at London’s Wembley Stadium for the 20th and final Premier League spot.