Championship LIVE: Final day latest scores and updates from Premier League promotion race | OneFootball

Ipswich, Millwall and Middlesbrough are all hoping to join Coventry in the top-flight next season

A three-way fight for automatic promotion to the Premier League takes centre stage on what promises to be a thrilling final day of the 2025/26 EFL season. An absorbing battle to join champions Coventry in the top-flight is going right down to the wire, with Ipswich currently occupying second spot with a one-point buffer in search of an instant return to the promised land as they finish the campaign at home to QPR this lunchtime.

Looking to capitalise on any slip-up from the Tractor Boys is third-place Millwall, who host relegated Oxford as they look to book their place in the Premier League for the very first time. A point behind them is Middlesbrough, on the road at Wrexham with a tough task to end a top-tier exile that has lasted for almost a decade. Only one of those teams can go up this afternoon, with the other two having to pick themselves up quickly for the lottery of the play-offs, where Southampton are already guaranteed a place.

Live updates

12 minutes ago

McKenna confident Ipswich will get over the line

Kieran McKenna is confident Ipswich will secure promotion today after being “millimetres away” in a thrilling 2-2 draw away to Southampton.

Tractor Boys manager McKenna said: "As much as we said a draw isn’t any different than a loss, it is – in how we feel going into the [final day] and how it came about.

"We look forward to the weekend now, we go into it with confidence and belief from the work across the season and how that was evidenced tonight.

"We know it’s going to be tough, we know it’s going to be a big, big push from everyone, but we believe that we’ll find it."

23 minutes ago

Play-off permutations

For two of Ipswich, Millwall and Middlesbrough, there will be the pain of missing out on automatic promotion and having to prepare for the play-offs.

All three teams along with Southampton are guaranteed a play-off spot, but the race to finish third and fourth - thus securing home advantage in the semi-final second leg - becomes a mini battle in its own right.

The Saints will begin the day fifth on 77 points and can finish third by virtue of a superior goal difference but would need to beat Preston and hope Millwall and Boro both lose.

The last play-off slot in the Championship is still yet to be settled though, with three teams battling it out on the final day.

Wrexham are in pole position in sixth on 70 points, the same as Hull who are seventh. Both teams are at home against Boro and Norwich respectively.

Derby are a point back in eighth, they host a Sheffield United side that has nothing to play for.

Wrexham will be in play-offs if they win and Hull do not win by one more goal. A draw will be enough if Hull and Derby fail to win. If Wrexham lose, a top six finish will be confirmed if Hull and Derby also lose, but provided their margin of defeat is not greater than Hull's.

Hull will be in play-offs if they win and Wrexham fail to win, or if the better Wrexham's margin of victory by more than one goal. A draw will only be enough if Wrexham lose and Derby fail to win. A defeat could be enough for a top six finish but that is dependant on Wrexham losing by one more goal than their margin of defeat and Derby also losing.

Derby’s superior goal difference means they can draw and get sixth if both Wrexham and Hull lose. A win and draws for the other two will also suffice.

If Wrexham and Hull finish with identical records, the head-to-head record between the sides would come into play. As Hull did the double over Wrexham, they would finish higher in the Championship table.

AFP via Getty Images

35 minutes ago

Promotion permutations

Coventry have secured automatic qualification to the Premier League, but the race to join them will go down to the wire as it is between Ipswich, Millwall and Middlesbrough.

Ipswich are at home to Queens Park Rangers, while Millwall welcome already relegated Oxford to The Den, in what is arguably the more favourable fixture, and Boro finish up away at play-off chasing Wrexham

Ipswich are on 81 points and will confirm a top-two finish - and an immediate return to the top-flight - with a victory. A draw would be enough if Millwall and Boro fail to win their respective matches.

Millwall are on 80 points and must beat Oxford and hope Ipswich drop points to have any chance of finishing as runners-up. A draw will not be enough in any scenario because of their inferior goal difference.

Middlesbrough are on 79 points so will finish second with a win over Wrexham coupled with Ipswich losing and Millwall failing to win their game.

There is a scenario where Ipswich and Middlesbrough both finish on 82 points. Remarkably, Boro would be promoted if they win by six or more goals and Millwall fail to win.

PA

42 minutes ago

51 minutes ago

And at the bottom?

It’s a jam-packed day at the top, though everything at the bottom has been decided.

Sheffield Wednesday are looking for a final-day win to move to zero points, after their points deductions this season, and will be joined by Leicester City and Oxford United in League One next season.

West Brom have survived, just,

Leicester are today celebrating 10 years since they won the Premier League title, on the same day they play their final Championship game before dropping into the third tier.

1 hour ago

How to watch

So many games, too many eyes needed today.

Ipswich Town vs Queens Park Rangers will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage starting from 11am BST.

Millwall vs Oxford United will be broadcast on Sky Sports Football, with coverage starting from 11am BST.

Both Ipswich and Millwall’s matches can also be found live online via the Sky Go app or website.

All remaining fixtures can be found live online via Sky Sports+, with coverage starting at 11.30am.

1 hour ago

Championship final day LIVE

Hello and welcome to the London Standard’s LIVE coverage of the final day of the Championship season.

It’s a thrilling conclusion at the top of the table was three times fight it out for the final automatic promotion place, and the right to join Coventry City in the Premier League next season.

There is also the play-off spots to be confirmed, with two of those three plus Southampton and another set for at least two more games last this month.