The 38th Championship play-off final is the final match of the domestic season in England. The winner will join Leicester City and City of Ipswich in the Premier League for the 2024-25 season.
These three clubs replace Sheffield United, Burnley and Luton Town, who were all relegated last season.
Who is participating?
Leeds United, who finished third in the 46-game Championship season, face Southampton, who finished one place behind them in fourth place. Both sides are relegated from the Premier League in 2023, in 19th and 20th position respectively.
When is the Championship play-off final?
The 2024 Championship play-off final will take place on Sunday 26th May at 3pm, starting 24 hours later. the FA Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United at the same venue.
Where is it being held?
Wembley Stadium in London will host the match, one day after the FA Cup final and five days before the Champions League final.
The play-off final was moved to Wembley in 1990, the fourth year it was held. Originally a two-legged home and away game it became a one-off game for Swindon Town’s victory over Sunderland in 1990. Unfortunately for Swindon the joy was short-lived as a lengthy investigation into their financial conduct announced its findings shortly afterwards and the Football League promoted Sunderland instead.
Which TV channel is the FA Cup final showing in the UK?
Sly Sports holds the rights to the Football League and will show the final on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.
Highlights will be shown on ITV4 at 10pm and again on ITV1 at 11.20pm.
TalkSport holds exclusive national radio rights to the game and begins coverage at 1:30pm.
What happened in the semifinals?
Leeds United faced sixth-placed club Norwich City drawing 0-0 with them at Carrow Road in the first hand before beating them 4-0 at Elland Road in a return to form after the late season wobble.
Southampton too drew the first game away from homeleaving West Bromwich with a 0-0 draw, and then beat Albion 3-1 at St Mary’s when Adam Armstrong continued his rich form with two goals.
What happened between the two at the beginning of the season?
Southampton triumphed in both games, starting emphatically with a 3-1 home win which began a club record unbeaten run of 25 matches. Saints also won at Elland Road on the final day of the season proper going into the play-off semi-finals with a 2-1 win and make them favorites for the match, if not with the bookies.
What are your play-off final records?
Leeds have lost three times at this stage of the season – beaten by Charlton in 1987, Watford in 2006 and Doncaster in 2008 in the League One final.
This is Southampton’s first play-off final.
Can I still get tickets for the final?
Although tickets only went on sale on Saturday, both clubs completely sold out of their 35,000+ allocations for ticket holders and members, leaving none for general sale.
Latest injury updates
Leeds United have big doubts over Patrick Bamford, who has missed the last four games after injuring his patellar tendon during the win over Middlesbrough. Pascal Struijk, who captained the team before Christmas, has been out since the start of the year with a groin injury, and Sam Byram missed the second leg against Norwich with a hip injury.
Southampton’s first-choice goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu has been ruled out until 2025 after rupturing his Achilles tendon in April and former Celtic midfielder Stuart Armstrong is recovering from a hip injury. The Scottish international has been named in the provisional squad for Euro 2024, but will only be ready to return next month.
Who is the referee?
John Brooks is the Acme Thunderer man, a Premier League official who was the referee for Manchester City’s victory over West Ham, which confirmed them as champions for the fourth consecutive season. Brooks’ only other Championship appearance this season was the Saints’ 3-1 victory over Leeds last September.
What is the prize?
Various estimates have been made of the gross value of winning promotion through the play-offs from TV revenue and sponsorship, ranging from a conservative £135m to almost double that amount, according to Deloitte.
What are the latest odds?
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Leeds United 13/10
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Southampton 05/11
Correct Odds on May 22
