England's second tier contains some of the country's best supported clubs and they will be pushing for a place in the top division this June and July
The Championship play-offs represent some of the most exciting and potentially lucrative matches in world football, with a place in the Premier League on offer.
Four teams battle it out for the coveted promotion prize and the tension can be unbearable as fans live in hope that their team can reach the promised land of English football.
The coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic forced a postponement to matters, but the league resumes in June after three months of no games.
Goal brings you everything you need to know about the competition phase, when the games are, how to watch and more.
Contents
What are the Championship play-offs? Which teams qualified for the Championship play-offs in 2020? When are the Championship 2020 play-offs? When & where is the 2020 Championship play-off final? Championship play-offs TV channel & live stream Who won last year's Championship play-offs?What are the Championship play-offs?
The Championship play-offs in England are a series of knock-out games which take place at the end of the Championship season in order to determine which team earns the final promotion to the Premier League.
While the top two teams in the division earn automatic promotion, the teams which finish third, fourth, fifth and sixth qualify for the play-offs.
A merit-based system is in place to pair the semi-final opponents, with third place playing sixth place in one semi-final and fourth place playing fifth place in the other semi-final.
The Championship semi-finals are two-legged affairs, but the away goals rule does not apply. The semi-final winners progress to the play-off final.
Which teams qualified for the Championship play-offs in 2020?
A number of teams are in with a good chance of qualifying for the Championship play-offs this season, but things could easily change when matches resume.
Leeds United and West Brom - who were involved in last season's edition - are the division's pace-setters at the summit. They will be aiming for automatic promotion.
Beneath those two there is a collection of teams fighting it out, including Brentford, Nottingham Forest, Fulham and Preston North End, with the likes of Bristol City and Blackburn Rovers also in the mix.
Championship table 2019-20
| Pos | Team | MP | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leeds United | 37 | 21 | 8 | 8 | +26 | 71 |
| 2 | West Brom | 37 | 19 | 13 | 5 | +27 | 70 |
| 3 | Fulham | 37 | 18 | 10 | 9 | +14 | 64 |
| 4 | Brentford | 37 | 17 | 9 | 11 | +31 | 60 |
| 5 | Nottingham Forest | 37 | 16 | 12 | 9 | +10 | 60 |
| 6 | Preston North End | 37 | 16 | 8 | 13 | +5 | 56 |
| 7 | Bristol City | 37 | 15 | 10 | 12 | -2 | 55 |
| 8 | Millwall | 37 | 13 | 15 | 9 | 4 | 54 |
Last updated: Games played on March 8, 2020 | Key: (P) - secured promotion | (Q) - qualified for play-offs
It is a tight division and very little stands between most of the teams, so a few results could easily alter the complexion of the table.
Other sides such as Swansea City, Millwall and Cardiff City will feel capable of mounting a play-off push.
When are the Championship 2020 play-offs?
Championship play-off final
| Date | Team | Result | Team | Kick off time (BST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 4 | TBC | - | TBC | 7:45pm |
The 2020 Championship play-offs will be played in July, with the final scheduled for Tuesday August 4.
It was originally scheduled for Monday May 25, meaning there has been a delay of two months.
Championship play-off semi-finals
| Team | Agg. | Team | 1st Leg | 2nd Leg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TBC | - | TBC | July 26 | July 29 |
| TBC | - | TBC | July 27 | July 30 |
With the Championship returning at the end of June, the play-off semi-finals will now be played at the end of July. First legs will be played on July 26 and 27 with the second legs taking place on July 29 and 30.
When & where is the 2020 Championship play-off final?
The 2020 Championship play-off final is scheduled for Tuesday August 4. It had originally been booked for Monday, May 25.
Since the game is being played in mid-week, it will kick off at 7:45pm rather than the usual afternoon kick-off time associated with weekend play-off finals.
Wembley Stadium in London is the traditional venue for the match. Wembley is used for all EFL play-off finals with those for League One and League Two also taking place at the venue.
Affectionately known as 'The Home of Football' in England, Wembley is one of the biggest stadiums in the world and Championship play-off finals regularly attract bumper crowds.
The 2019 Championship play-off final between Aston Villa and Derby County, for example, drew an audience of 85,826.
Championship play-offs TV channel & live stream
Sky Sports has exclusive broadcasting rights for the Championship in the UK and the play-offs will be shown live on Sky Sports Football. Sky Go is the channel's online streaming service.
In the US, the ESPN network and its online streaming platform ESPN+ will be the sole outlets broadcasting the Championship play-offs.
Who won last year's Championship play-offs?
Aston Villa won the 2019 Championship play-offs after a 2-1 victory over Derby County.
Goals from Anwar El Ghazi and John McGinn either side of half-time were enough to see Villa to victory over the Rams, who threatened a comeback late in the second half when Jack Marriott found the net.
Villa overcame West Brom in the semi-final to book their place in the final of the play-offs, while Derby defeated Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds United - a team that had been fancied to win the division.
It was the Birmingham club's second successive appearance in the play-off final, having lost the 2018 edition 1-0 to Fulham.