Skip to content

Championship finale: Lampard's Coventry reach playoffs, Luton relegated

Bradley Collyer - PA Images / PA Images / Getty

Frank Lampard's Coventry City and Bristol City joined Sheffield United and Sunderland in the four-team playoffs for promotion to the Premier League following Saturday's Championship finale.

Michael Carrick's Middlesbrough missed out on securing a playoff place after their 2-0 defeat at Coventry. Blackburn Rovers drew 1-1 at Sheffield United when a win would've sent them into the playoffs due to results elsewhere. Millwall's promotion hopes were extinguished by a 3-1 reverse at Burnley.

Leeds United clinched the Championship title ahead of Burnley thanks to Manor Solomon's 91st-minute winner in a 2-1 victory at Plymouth Argyle. Plymouth were relegated to the third tier on the final day despite some promising performances under head coach Miron Muslic in the wake of Wayne Rooney's departure at the end of December.

Luton Town suffered back-to-back relegations after losing 5-3 at West Bromwich Albion. The Hatters beat Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League only last season, but will now take on the likes of Stevenage and Burton Albion during the 2025-26 League One campaign.

The descent of Cardiff City, who are under the caretaker charge of former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey, was confirmed the previous weekend. The Bluebirds concluded the campaign with a 4-2 loss at Norwich City and finished bottom of the Championship standings, as Birmingham City and fellow Welsh club Wrexham enjoy promotion to the second tier from League One.

The two-legged Championship playoff semifinals will run as follows:

Date Fixture
May 8 Bristol City vs. Sheffield United
May 9 Coventry City vs. Sunderland
May 12 Sheffield United vs. Bristol City
May 13 Sunderland vs. Coventry City

The Championship playoff final is set for May 24 at Wembley Stadium.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox