Championship Play-Off Final - latest news, breaking stories and comment
Latest London news, business, sport, showbiz and entertainment from the London Evening Standard.
www.standard.co.ukHere’s the latest I can share based on current public reports.
Core answer
- Bolton Wanderers beat Bradford City 2-0 on aggregate and will face Stockport County in the 2025-26 League One play-off final at Wembley on May 24, 2026.[1]
Context and quick snapshot
- Bolton progressed to the final after a 1-0 win in the second leg, sealing a 2-0 aggregate victory, with Xavier Simons scoring the decisive goal in the tie.[1]
- Stockport County earned their place in the final by defeating Stevenage 2-0 at Edgeley Park in the other semi-final.[1]
- The final is set for Wembley Stadium on May 24, 2026, pitting Bolton against Stockport for promotion to the Championship.[1]
Related context if you’re tracking the broader picture
- The League One play-off picture is often shaped by late-season drama, with final-day results sometimes altering which teams reach the top six, as discussed in League One coverage and post-season reviews from media outlets and podcasts.[2][7]
- For historical reference, similar recent finals have featured teams like Charlton, Charlton’s 2020 promotion via play-off final, and other recent winners, illustrating the high-stakes nature of these matches.[4][5]
Would you like a concise timeline of the two semi-finals, key players to watch in the final, or a quick-blurb ready-to-publish summary for social media? If you want, I can also pull together a brief head-to-head comparison table (form, goals scored, defensive records) for Bolton and Stockport ahead of Wembley. I can also search for the very latest updates if you want confirmation closer to game day.