What time does the 2026 Championship play-off final kick off?

Adrian Bishop Updated: 20 May 26 11:09

Just one game separates Middlesbrough and Hull City from a return to the Premier League.

A dramatic twist on the Tuesday night before the Championship play-off final saw Middlesbrough reinstated after Southampton admitted to breaching regulations related to the unauthorised filming of other clubs’ training.

Kim Hellberg's side fell to a 2-1 defeat on aggregate against the Saints, with Shea Charles' extra-time winner halting Boro's promotion hopes, atleast momentarily.

There was clearly an expectation inside the club that Southampton would be significantly punished for breaching regulations, proven by the fact that Boro returned to training at the start of the week, and it has now been confirmed that they will take their place in the most valuable game in club football.

As for Hull City, they'll have every belief that they are capable of pulling off the upset after learning their play-off final opponent just days out from the final.

Despite being unable to sign any players for a fee this season, Sergej Jakirovic has masterminded a remarkable turnaround after the club narrowly escaped relegation to League One last season.

An inspired performance at the Den saw Hull book their place at Wembley, but what time will the all-important game get underway? We've taken a look.

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What time does the play-off final start?

The 2026 play-off final between Hull City and Middlesbrough will kick-off at 15:30 (BST).

Upon the decision to reinstate Boro, an EFL statement read: "The final remains scheduled for Saturday 23 May, with the kick-off time to be confirmed."

It has since been confirmed that the game will start at 15:30 (BST), an hour earlier than previously advertised.

However, the EFL has stated that the game will go ahead at the originally scheduled time if Southampton are successful in their appeal to be reinstated.

The kick-off time for the Championship play-off final has varied dating back to 2016, which incidentally marked the last time Hull City secured promotion to the top flight at Wembley.

Traditionally held at 15:00 (BST), the game between Hull and Sheffield Wednesday marked the first deviation from the pattern with a 17:00 (BST) kick-off.

In 2020, the game kicked-off at 19:45 (BST) in front of an empty Wembley due to the Covid pandemic, with Fulham ultimately securing promotion in the behind closed doors fixture courtesy of an unlikely brace in extra-time from Joe Bryan.

Last year's final between Sheffield United and Sunderland got underway at 15:01 (BST), with the unique kick-off time designed to draw attention to the Every Minute Matters campaign intended to encourage people to learn CPR.