EFL Final Day 2025/26: Ipswich, Millwall and Middlesbrough Fight for Premier League Spot as Championship, League One and League Two Fates Hang in the Balance

The 2025/26 EFL season reaches its conclusion on Saturday in dramatic fashion, with outcomes across the Championship, League One and League Two still undecided heading into the final round of fixtures. Every game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with Championship matches kicking off at 12.30pm and League One and Two fixtures starting at 3pm.

In the Championship, Coventry City have already clinched both promotion and the title, but the second automatic promotion place remains fiercely contested between Ipswich Town, Millwall and Middlesbrough. Ipswich hold the advantage going into the final day and will secure their return to the Premier League with a win against a mid-table QPR side. A draw would also be sufficient for Ipswich, provided Millwall do not win and Middlesbrough do not win by more than five goals. Should both Millwall and Middlesbrough fail to win, Ipswich go up regardless of their own result. Ipswich’s position was confirmed after a 2-2 comeback draw at Southampton on Tuesday.

Millwall, who drew 1-1 at Leicester in their most recent fixture, face an Oxford United side already relegated — meaning their opponents have nothing to play for. Millwall will clinch promotion if they win and Ipswich fail to win. Middlesbrough face the most difficult assignment of the three, hosting Wrexham — a side still fighting for a play-off berth. Boro can reach the top flight only if they win, Ipswich lose and Millwall fail to win, or if they win by six or more goals while Ipswich draw and Millwall do not win.

The Championship play-off race is equally tight, with three clubs — Wrexham, Hull City and Derby County — competing for the sixth and final spot. Wrexham currently sit sixth, Hull are seventh and Derby eighth. All three sides are at home on the final day. Derby host Sheffield United and Hull welcome Norwich City, both opponents having little left to play for. Wrexham’s match against Middlesbrough carries dual significance: a win would not only boost their play-off prospects but also guarantee them home advantage in the second leg of any semi-final they contest.

Wrexham will secure a play-off place with a win, as long as Hull do not better their goal margin by one. A draw is sufficient if both Hull and Derby fail to win. Hull can reach the play-offs by winning while Wrexham fail to win, or by winning with a goal difference margin one greater than Wrexham’s. Derby require a win combined with Wrexham and Hull both failing to win, though a point will suffice if both rivals lose. Notably, Hull completed a league double over Wrexham this season, meaning that head-to-head record would be the tiebreaker in the event both clubs finish level on all other metrics.

In League One, Lincoln City are champions and Cardiff City are promoted, while Bolton Wanderers are the only club already guaranteed a play-off position. Three further spots remain open among five clubs: Stockport County, Bradford City, Stevenage, Luton Town and Plymouth Argyle. Stockport will advance if they avoid defeat or if any of Bradford, Stevenage or Luton fail to win. Plymouth require a win and for both Stevenage and Luton to drop points. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was recently spotted in attendance at a Stockport County fixture, highlighting the attention the club has attracted during their play-off push.

At the wrong end of League One, three clubs are already relegated, with a fourth yet to be confirmed. Exeter City occupy 21st place and will attempt to leapfrog Leyton Orient — who face Burton Albion — into safety. Exeter’s fate will be decided in their home match against Bradford City.

League Two’s final day carries perhaps the broadest range of outcomes still in play. A title, a promotion place, a play-off berth and both remaining relegation spots are all yet to be decided, making it the division with the most unresolved situations entering the weekend.