EFL Championship play-offs

The Championship play-off final is considered the most valuable single football match in the world as a result of the increase in revenue to the winning club from sponsorship and media agreements.

If, at the end of the regular 90 minutes of the second leg, the aggregate score is level then the match goes into extra time where two 15-minute halves are played.

[2] The clubs that win the semi-finals then meet at Wembley Stadium, a neutral venue, for a one-off match referred to as the "play-off final".

It was a ten-point plan which included a structural reorganisation of the league, reducing the top tier from 22 clubs to 20, and the introduction of play-offs to facilitate the change.

[14] From 1990, the format of the final changed to a single match played at a neutral venue, initially the original Wembley Stadium.

[15] Ten days after the final, Swindon were found guilty on 35 counts of illegal player payments and were given a two-division relegation.

[18] The final in 2020 was held behind closed doors as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom: Fulham defeated Brentford 2–1 after extra time in front of an official attendance of 0.

[24][25][26] However, by convention the two finalists agree that the loser will keep all the gate receipts from the game, so as to slightly soften the financial blow of missing out.

[27][28] The winning team is also presented with a trophy;[29] however, in the 2015 Football League Championship play-off final, Norwich City refused [citation needed] and took half of the gate receipts after also gaining promotion.

Crystal Palace have secured promotion to the top tier of English football through the play-offs more times than any other club, having won four finals.

Ipswich Town have participated in the Championship play-offs a joint-record eight times: 1987, 1997–2000 inclusive, 2004, 2005 and 2015, making the final only once in 2000 when they won promotion with a 4–2 victory over Barnsley.

Derby County have also qualified for the play-offs eight times, with their only promotion coming following a win over West Bromwich Albion in the 2007 final.