Frank Christian
The EFL Championship playoffs reached their climax with the showdown between Sheffield United and Sunderland on May 25.
The intense emotions of the semifinal and final rounds are remarkable in domestic football, especially with the enticing opportunity for the winners: the prestige and financial rewards of the Premier League.
Sheffield United secured their place in the final with a dominant 6-0 aggregate win over Bristol City. Finishing third in the regular season, United felt they had earned a well-deserved trip to Wembley Stadium.
In the other semifinal, Sunderland returned to the Stadium of Light with a slight 2-1 advantage against Coventry City for the second leg. A second-half strike from Ephron Mason-Clark leveled the aggregate, and after a missed chance by USMNT forward Haji Wright in regular time, the game moved into extra time. Sunderland’s Daniel Ballard netted a late header, clinching a 3-2 overall victory.
During the final, Sunderland initially fell behind to a goal from Tyrese Campbell in the first half, but Eliezer Mayenda equalized prior to Tom Watson’s spectacular winning goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
EFL Championship Playoffs 2025: Match Schedule and Results
The playoff matchups are organized according to the teams’ standings this season. This setup means that the third-placed team faced off against the sixth, while the fourth and fifth placed sides competed against each other. The teams finishing in third and fourth played their semifinal return legs at home.
2025 Championship Playoff Semifinals: First Legs
| Match | Venue | Date | Time (local / ET) | Result |
| Bristol City vs. Sheffield United | Ashton Gate | Thur, May 8 | 8 p.m. / 3 p.m. | 0-3 |
| Coventry City vs. Sunderland | Coventry Building Society Arena | Fri, May 9 | 8 p.m. / 3 p.m. | 1-2 |
2025 Championship Playoff Semifinals: Second Legs
| Match | Venue | Date | Time (local / ET) | Result |
| Sheffield United vs. Bristol City | Bramall Lane | Mon, May 12 | 8 p.m. / 3 p.m. | 3-0 |
| Sunderland vs. Coventry City | Stadium of Light | Tue, May 13 | 8 p.m. / 3 p.m. | 1-1 a.e.t. |
2025 Championship Playoff Final
| Match | Venue | Date | Time (local / ET) | Result |
| Sheffield United vs. Sunderland | Wembley Stadium | Sat, May 24 | 3 p.m. / 10 a.m. | 1-2 |
