The match was to determine the third and final team to gain promotion from the EFL Championship, the second tier of English football, to the Premier League.

[1][2] Queens Park Rangers faced Wigan Athletic in their play-off semi-final, with the first leg taking place at the DW Stadium.

[4] In the other play-off semi-final, Derby County's opponents were Brighton & Hove Albion, against whom they played the first leg at the Falmer Stadium.

The home team took the lead after 18 minutes through Jesse Lingard but Derby equalised with a Chris Martin penalty awarded after Matthew Upson fouled Craig Forsyth.

[5] In the return leg at Pride Park, Will Hughes scored Derby's first goal from a Jamie Ward cross and Martin doubled the lead early in the second half.

A George Thorne volley made it 3–0 to the home side and Jeff Hendrick extended the lead from a Patrick Bamford pass, and although Brighton scored a consolation through Kazenga LuaLua, the match ended 4–1, and Derby progressed to the play-off final as 6–2 aggregate winners.

[15] It was reported in the media and press that the match was worth up to £120 million to the winning club over three years through sponsorship and television deals.

In the fourth minute, Derby's Johnny Russell beat two QPR players and passed to Hughes who was fouled by Gary O'Neil.

Two minutes later QPR won a corner, which was cleared by Thorne away from Richard Dunne before Derby's Austin struck over the bar at the other end.

Robert Green made his first save of the afternoon, pushing Ward's curling direct free kick around the post, going on to catch Hughes' subsequent corner.

[19] Queens Park Rangers started the second half and in the 51st minute, a Ward pass was put out for a corner by Dunne which was subsequently cleared by Danny Simpson.

In the 57th minute, Doyle passed to Traore whose pull back found Austin who struck the ball wide of the post from 12 yards.

Derby goalkeeper Grant came up for the corner which was kicked out for a throw by Keogh, and a minute later the final whistle was blown, QPR winning the match 1–0.

"[19] The QPR midfielder Barton was gracious in victory, noting "I feel sorry for Derby, they played fantastic today and they deserved to win.