League One play-offs 2025: Fixtures, dates and teams in contention
- 2024/25 League One campaign kicked off in August
- League One play-offs take place in May 2025
- Oxford United won the most recent League One play-off final
In a sport diluted by money, greed and questionable ownerships, the play-offs can provide some respite to English football supporters.
While the Championship play-offs steal most of the headlines come the end of the English Football League (EFL) campaign, there will always be plenty of play-off magic further down the football pyramid.
League One has not been short of drama in recent seasons, especially come play-off time. With some sleeping giants gracing the division and inspiring underdogs competing with them for promotion each season, England's third tier always boasts a frantic conclusion.
Here is everything you need to know about the 2025 League One play-offs.
League One play-offs 2025
How do the League One play-offs work?
Three sides are promoted to the Championship each season, with two earning automatic promotion by finishing first and second and the third club decided by the League One play-offs.
Four teams compete in a mini knockout tournament that sees third place face sixth and fourth take on fifth in two semi-finals. Both semis are made up of two legs, with teams hosting one leg each. The club that finished higher in League One during the regular season hosts the second leg.
The winner of each semi-final is determined by the aggregate score across both legs, with extra-time and penalties in use if the score is tied after the second leg. The away goal rule is not employed for the League One play-offs.
The winners of the two semi-finals then meet in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium, a one-off match to determine who will be promoted to the Championship. Again, the final is decided by extra-time and penalties if regulation time ends in a draw.
When are the League One play-offs?
The League One play-offs will commence shortly after the conclusion of the 2024/25 season on Saturday 3 May. At the end of the 46-game campaign, the four qualifying teams will get a week-long rest before the first leg of the semi-final kicks off.
The first legs will be staged on Saturday 10 May, before the second legs are played on 14-15 May.
There has been an official date announced for the final, too. Two lucky competitors will duke it out for their place in the Championship on Sunday 25 May at Wembley Stadium.
Which teams are in contention for 2025 League One play-offs?
While not yet mathematically guaranteed, EFL galacticos Birmingham City will almost certainly win League One this season and make an immediate return to the second tier. They have unsurprisingly blitzed the competition, establishing an insurmountable lead at the summit.
Wycombe Wanderers and Wrexham are the current front-runners for the second automatic promotion spot, although one of the two sides will have to settle for a play-off place. The latter are seeking a third straight promotion.
Charlton Athletic, Stockport County, Huddersfield Town and Bolton Wanderers are on their tail and will be keen to secure their play-off spot as quickly as humanly possible. Reading and Leyton Orient could upset their party, however.
2024/25 League One table
Pos | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | +/- | Goal difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Birmingham | 36 | 25 | 8 | 3 | 59:24 | +35 | 83 |
2. | Wycombe | 37 | 20 | 11 | 6 | 64:36 | +28 | 71 |
3. | Wrexham | 37 | 21 | 8 | 8 | 51:30 | +21 | 71 |
4. | Charlton | 37 | 19 | 9 | 9 | 49:32 | +17 | 66 |
5. | Stockport | 37 | 18 | 11 | 8 | 53:34 | +19 | 65 |
6. | Huddersfield | 37 | 18 | 7 | 12 | 52:34 | +18 | 61 |
7. | Bolton | 37 | 18 | 6 | 13 | 59:55 | +4 | 60 |
8 | Reading | 37 | 16 | 11 | 10 | 52:46 | +6 | 59 |
9. | Leyton Orient | 37 | 17 | 5 | 15 | 53:38 | +15 | 56 |
10. | Barnsley | 37 | 15 | 7 | 15 | 51:53 | -2 | 52 |
How much is winning the League One play-off final worth?
While nowhere near as lucrative as promotion from the Championship to the Premier League, the winner of the League One play-off final still earns a handsome and sometimes transformative sum.
Teams don't receive any additional payments for winning the League One play-off final itself but promotion to the Championship comes with a £4.5m to £5.5m increase in revenue at the beginning of the following campaign.
It's also worth noting TV deals and ticket sales increase significantly when a club goes from the third to second tier.
Who has the best record in the League One play-offs?
Somewhat surprisingly, no team has ever won the League One play-off final on more than two occasions. The likes of Sheffield Wednesday, Millwall and Huddersfield are among the clubs to have won it twice.
Brentford and Bristol City boast two of the worst records in League One play-off history, each losing the final itself on three separate occasions.