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The best part of the season has arrived as we finally get to watch the Championship play-offs, with Sheffield United, Sunderland, Coventry City, and Bristol City fighting for promotion.
There’s no doubt the Championship is the best league in the world, thanks to its incredible unpredictability. As we’ve seen this year, anyone can beat anyone in the second tier, and it’s a joy to witness.
After 46 games, Leeds United were crowned league winners with Burnley following them in second place and the two teams will now head to the Premier League.
Behind them, Sheffield United and Sunderland long had their Championship play-off places guaranteed, but it took until the final day for Coventry City and Bristol City to secure their place in the play-offs as an alternative route to promotion.
Here’s hoping it all leads to one of the best play-off finals ever, but for now, let’s focus on how you can watch the Championship play-offs semi-final games.
Championship play-off semi-finals dates and kick-off times
Get these Championship play-off dates in your diary!
Sheffield United will travel to Bristol City in the first leg of their semi-final on Thursday, May 8, 2025. The game will take place at Ashton Gate and will kick off at 8:00pm.
On Friday, May 9, 2025, Sunderland will travel to the CBS Arena to take on Coventry in the first leg of their semi-final, with another 8:00pm kick-off lined up.
The reverse fixtures take place on Monday, May 12, 2025 at 8:00pm for Sheffield United vs Bristol City, and Tuesday, May 13 at 8:00pm for Sunderland vs Coventry.
We know the play-off final will take place on Saturday, May 24, but there is still no kick-off time arranged.
How to watch the Championship play-offs
As expected, you’ll be able to watch the Championship play-offs on Sky Sports.
The semi-final first legs are both on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage starting at 7:00pm with pre-match build-up.
There’s a slight change on the Monday and Tuesday for the second legs, though. Same channels, but coverage starts at 7:30pm on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event, with a little less pre-match discussion for some reason.
You can also watch the Championship play-offs on the Sky Go app if you’re on the move.
Championship play-offs team news
Sheffield United
The good news for Sheffield United is that Oli Arblaster is working hard to return in time for the play-offs. Whether that’s the first leg or second remains to be seen, but he could be back soon.
Tom Davies and Tyrese Campbell both returned at the weekend against Blackburn, though the latter stayed on the bench.
Meanwhile, Sai Sachdev and Rhys Norrington-Davies will not be available for the upcoming fixtures.
Sunderland
There’s less good news for Sunderland, though. Romaine Mundle, Ian Poveda, Jayden Danns, and Aji Alese are all likely to miss out on the play-off semi-finals.
Thankfully, though centre-half Dan Ballard returned last weekend and will be ready to play in the first clash with Coventry on Friday.
Coventry City
Coventry City are struggling with a few players out themselves. The Sky Blues will be without Victor Torp, Ephron Mason-Clark, Oliver Dovin, and Norman Bassette who are all out with long-term injuries.
However, Jack Rudoni is flying at the moment with two goals last weekend after returning from a dislocated shoulder.
Bristol City
Bristol City will be without Cameron Pring, who is out with a hamstring injury, while Mark Sykes is struggling with a hip issue.
Luke McNally and Ayman Benarous are out for the long haul and will not play any part in the play-offs.
Championship play-offs head-to-head records
Funnily enough, Bristol City are in the best form right now, based on the last ten matches. But, as we know, form isn’t the be all and end all when it comes to the play-offs.
As for the head-to-head records ahead of the semi-finals, Sheffield United are dominant against Bristol City historically. They’ve won one and drawn one this season, and have 34 wins to Bristol City’s 16 victories over the years.
On the other side of the draw, if we do base our predictions on the head-to-head record between Sunderland and Coventry, it’s not looking good for the Black Cats.
In the last ten meetings, Coventry have won five and drawn five, so anyone getting ready to watch the Championship play-offs should expect a Sky Blues win, really.
They’ve met three times this season, and Coventry have won two and drawn one.
But, it’s worth remembering that Sunderland’s play-offs record is the only one of the four to boast a recent triumph after their promotion from League One in 2021/22.
Basically, what we’re saying is, it’s impossible to call these Championship play-off games. We’ve got four strong teams who will be giving it everything they’ve got to escape the second tier and make it to the top flight, and it should be a lot of fun to watch it all unfold.