Forget the play-offs, May 17th is the most important date of the summer for Championship clubs and here’s why

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The Championship season is drawing to a close, with only the play-offs still to resolve, but clubs should be eyeing up one more key date in their calendar this month.

It was another thrilling campaign in the second tier — perhaps the best yet, actually — with a three-horse race for the title, about ten teams fighting for the Championship play-offs, and a relegation scrap that went down to the final day.

We know that Burnley and Leeds United are leaving the division for better things, with one of Sheffield United, Sunderland, Coventry City or Bristol City still to join them. Meanwhile, Luton Town, Plymouth Argyle, and Cardiff City will drop down to League One.

But, as fans and neutrals prepare to watch the Championship play-offs, we wanted to draw your attention to something huge that will be happening behind the scenes that affects every club in the EFL on May 17th.

• READ MORE: The Championship’s most and least successful play-off teams, including four-time winners

What is the significance of May 17th for EFL clubs?

The summer transfer market could be a wild one, with clubs spending big in an attempt to get promoted from the Championship and make it to the promised land of the Premier League.

But, job number one on the to-do list for plenty of clubs will be tying down any players whose current contracts are set to expire imminently.

Generally speaking, player contracts run through to June 30 of their respective year, but as per the EFL handbook (page 164), clubs must begin discussions with any player whose deal is due to expire this summer by May 17th, 2025.

If they don’t that player is then absolutely entitled to explore his options and find a new club as part of a free transfer.

The handbook reads: “Any Club wishing to re-engage a Contract Player whose contract is due to expire on 30 June must… notify him in writing by the third Saturday in May in the final year of his contract whether or not they offer him terms of re-engagement specifying (where applicable) such terms.”

The only exception to this rule is that clubs involved in the Championship play-offs (or the play-offs in League One and Two, of course) will be granted an extension.

That means Sheffield United, Sunderland, Coventry, and Bristol City will all have four days after their final match, be it the semi-finals or the final, to notify their players on expiring contracts whether they will be retained.

• READ MORE: These are the five clubs who spent the most in a single Championship season

Some big names are set to be released this summer

Simply put, this ruling affects every single team and a whole host of top players who are out of contract this summer.

We already know Jamie Vardy is leaving Leicester on a free this summer, while Josh Windass looks set to depart Sheffield Wednesday, and Southampton could also lose Kyle Walker-Peters for nothing.

There’s also Blackburn Rovers star Tyrhys Dolan up for grabs, while Burnley are desperate to retain Josh Brownhill.

Elsewhere, the likes of Junior Firpo, Rhian Brewster, Emil Riis, Angus Gunn, Grady Diangana, and Victor Moses will all be available for nothing unless anything changes soon.

We also know QPR’s Jimmy Dunne is a wanted man, while Championship new boys Birmingham City are eager to snap up Kwame Poku from Peterborough United on a free.

Now, we wait and see what moves these players and their clubs make before the free-for-all in the summer ensues.