This Championship Season…

As the Championship season drew to a close, both automatic promotion to the Premier League and the final playoff position were still in contention. Hull City, Wrexham, and Derby County were all vying for playoff spots, while a mere point separated Millwall from Ipswich Town in second place.

The second tier of English football is often labeled as the most competitive league globally. With tension up until the very last moments of the season, this year has certainly been one of the wildest in recent memory.

In the end, Hull City secured the final playoff position and will meet Millwall in the semifinals (first leg on Friday at 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. BST). The winner will then face either Southampton or Middlesbrough (first leg on Saturday at 7:30 a.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. BST) in the financially crucial Championship playoff final on May 23 at Wembley.

Meanwhile, Coventry City is already preparing for their return to the Premier League, and with Ipswich claiming the second automatic promotion spot, the playoffs will serve as the concluding chapter of this memorable season. Here are some highlights that made this campaign so remarkable.

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A Hollywood Tale Needs a Sequel

Wrexham aimed for a fourth consecutive promotion this season, having reached England’s second tier for the first time in 43 years. They revamped their squad during the offseason and, after a glitzy campaign, finished in seventh place. Notable moments included thrilling 5-3 wins against Sheffield United and Ipswich, as well as a penalty shootout triumph over Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup. Coach Phil Parkinson deserves accolades for his work. Despite the disappointment following their 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough on Saturday, there is much for Wrexham fans to be proud of.

Frank Lampard Returns to Prominence

Coventry City made a remarkable return to the Premier League after a 25-year hiatus, rising from the fourth tier just eight years ago. Frank Lampard found a new home in the West Midlands after his interim position at Chelsea ended in 2023. He has performed wonders with the Sky Blues, leading them to a memorable 7-1 victory over QPR last August, which set the tone for a successful season. Players like Haji Wright, Ephron Mason-Clark, and Brandon Thomas-Asante have all shone under his guidance.

Relegated in February

Sheffield Wednesday‘s fate was sealed early on. With 18 points deducted this season and starting with only 12 senior players, the club faced a tough uphill battle. Fans stormed the pitch in October during a 5-0 loss to Coventry, and by the end of that month, the club was placed in administration. By February 2026, they were on a record-breaking winless streak, ultimately being relegated by local rivals Sheffield United.

Sheffield Wednesday finished the season with a historic 40 league matches without a victory, finally achieving a win on the last day. Highlighting their turmoil, the club had to use six different goalkeepers over the course of the season.

Points Deductions

Sheffield Wednesday wasn’t the only team facing point deductions this season. West Brom had two points deducted but managed to remain in the league thanks to James Morrison, who guided them to a miraculous 10-match unbeaten streak, which included seven clean sheets amidst an injury-plagued squad. Leicester City also suffered a six-point deduction in February due to profit and sustainability violations.

Speaking of Leicester, this season was meant to celebrate the tenth anniversary of their Premier League triumph, but it instead concluded with relegation. One of their prominent players, Harry Winks, had a heated exchange with fans. Their manager, Gary Rowett, who began the season at Oxford United, now holds the dubious distinction of managing two relegated teams in the same season.

Igniting Rivalries

Midfielder Marcelino Núñez made headlines by moving from Norwich City to rival Ipswich Town in a controversial transfer during the August window. His move, just 45 miles apart, sparked outrage among Norwich fans while delighting Ipswich supporters, who celebrated a derby victory for the first time in 33 years.

Drop It Like It’s Hot

This season also featured celebrity involvement, notably Snoop Dogg, who is part owner of Swansea City. He was introduced ceremoniously at the Liberty Stadium before a match against Preston, which did not sit well with opposition manager Paul Heckingbottom who quipped about the unique atmosphere in the tunnel.

Welcome Back, Roy

In an unexpected twist, Bristol City appointed 78-year-old Roy Hodgson as interim manager after sacking Gerhard Struber in March. Sir Alex Ferguson commented on Hodgson’s decision as “mad,” but the veteran coach successfully navigated the team to a respectable top-half finish.

Tonda Eckert’s Emergence at Southampton

Admit it, how many outside Hampshire knew of Eckert, former analyst for Germany, at the season’s start? Initially the under-21 head coach at Southampton, he was thrust into the spotlight when Will Still departed. His interim success led to a full-time appointment, guiding the club to the FA Cup semifinals—knocking out Arsenal—and into the playoffs. Notably, he earned back-to-back Manager of the Month awards in February and March, further establishing his reputation.

The Tigers’ Triumph

Few anticipated Hull City’s playoff contention at the season’s outset. Following the sacking of manager Ruben Selles, Sergej Jakirovic took the helm and, despite being under a transfer embargo until January 2027, Hull achieved a playoff berth in dramatic fashion, with striker Oli McBurnie carving his name into club history.

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– Ogden: Leicester’s Downfall: From Premier League Champions to League One
– Hamilton: Wrexham’s Promotion Hopes On Hold
– Connelly: Watchability Rankings: How Entertaining is Your Team?

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Brady’s Blues

Birmingham made significant investments in transfers this season, ranking among the top three spenders in the Championship, yet failed to achieve promotion for a second consecutive year. Tom Brady’s ownership witnessed a documentary that revealed former manager Wayne Rooney’s coaching methods, but despite ending up mid-table, the team secured the fourth-best home record with the fourth-worst away performance.

The Lions’ Resilience

Millwall’s stunning run to finish third was remarkable; they almost claimed an automatic promotion spot until the final day. Last playing in the top tier back in 1990, Millwall’s resurgence has been due to the effective management of Alex Neil and the solid direction from director of football Steve Gallen. The team, known for its fighting spirit, has kept the most clean sheets in the league, attributing their success to standout players like Jake Cooper, Femi Azeez, Josh Coburn, and Tristan Crama.

Zan Vipotnik—A Goal Scoring Sensation

This season’s biggest surprise was Swansea’s Slovenian striker who rose to be the league’s top scorer. After finishing with just seven goals last season, he has since signed a new deal through 2030, and his stunning total of 23 goals has attracted the attention of Premier League clubs.

Out with the Old, In with the New

In June, Middlesbrough welcomed Rob Edwards as manager on a three-year contract. Five months later, he was able to lead them to second place, but was subsequently sought after by Wolverhampton Wanderers and departed. The coming summer could see the two clubs swap places, with Middlesbrough hoping for promotion while Wolves faced relegation.

Forgiveness and Moves

Chris Wilder has a forgiving nature towards Sheffield United, returning for a third tenure after his dismissal last June. Ex-Hull manager Selles had a turbulent stint, leading to Wilder’s reinstatement by October 2025.

The Playoffs Overview

This season, few would have anticipated the teams making the playoffs. Millwall, who have never seen Premier League action, will travel to Hull in a playoff showdown, while Southampton takes on Middlesbrough, who experienced a downturn in form after leading the league in January. Expect more unpredictable excitement as we determine which team will join Coventry and Ipswich in the Premier League.