League Two play-offs 2024: Fixtures, dates and teams in contention
- 2024 League Two play-offs to take place in May
- Three automatic promotion spots are available
- Stockport County have now wrapped up the title
As the League Two season progresses into its final quarter, things are starting to get serious in England's fourth tier.
Of course, there is one club that continues to steal the limelight in the division, Hollywood outfit Wrexham having taken centre stage following their financial backing and famous owners. However, while the Welsh side continues to thrive as they climb the leagues, they are not the only team impressing.
Three sides have already guaranteed automatic promotion to League One come the end of the season, but a fourth will join them in the third tier via the play-offs. Four teams will compete in what will almost certainly be a drama-fuelled set of matches, with the last side standing earning their place in the tier above.
Here is everything you need to know about the League Two play-offs, including dates, prize money and the teams in contention.
League Two play-offs 2024
Which teams are in contention for the 2023/24 League Two play-offs?
While automatic promotion is the obvious goal for League Two sides, the play-offs offer a security blanket to those not quite capable of nailing down a top-three finish.
Stockport County, Mansfield Town and Wrexham have secured their places in League One, the former having now been crowned champions.
MK Dons are locked into the play-offs, sitting fourth ahead of Crewe Alexandra, Barrow and Crawley Town, who are in the mix as it stands.
Doncaster Rovers, Walsall and Bradford City can still make it into the top seven mathematically.
2023/24 League Two table
Pos | Team | Played | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
C | Stockport | 45 | +49 | 92 |
P | Mansfield | 45 | +43 | 85 |
P | Wrexham | 45 | +36 | 85 |
4. | MK Dons | 45 | +15 | 77 |
5. | Crewe | 45 | +4 | 70 |
6. | Barrow | 44 | +7 | 68 |
7. | Crawley | 45 | +4 | 67 |
8. | Doncaster | 44 | +2 | 67 |
9. | Walsall | 45 | 0 | 65 |
10. | Bradford | 44 | -2 | 63 |
How does promotion and relegation work in League Two?
Unlike the Championship and League One, promotion and relegation works slightly differently in League Two. Instead of the customary three teams getting promoted, it's actually four sides that move up to the third tier.
The sides placed from first to third automatically rise to League One, while four teams from fourth to seventh then compete in the play-offs.
In the play-offs, there are two-legged semi-finals, followed by the final at Wembley Stadium. The winner of that match joins the other three sides in moving up to League One.
In terms of relegation, things are more simple, with the bottom two sides dropping out of the English Football League and into the National League.
When are the 2023/24 League Two play-offs?
The 46-match League Two season finishes up in late April, with the play-offs commencing after the final game of the campaign.
While we don't know who is taking part in the play-offs just yet, both legs of the semi-finals will take place between 6-10 May. The final will then take place at Wembley on Sunday 19 May.
The League One play-off final will be played the day prior, while the Championship play-off final will take place the week after.
How much do teams earn for winning the League Two play-off final?
Contrary to what some think, teams don't earn any extra money for winning the play-off final in itself. Every League Two side is given a base fee of £472,000 no matter where they finish, as well as a £430,000 solidarity payment from the Premier League.
However, promotion to League One brings huge financial benefits, with those figures rising to £677,000 and £642,000 in the third division.
READ MORE ON THE 2023/24 PLAY-OFF HUNT THROUGHOUT THE EFL
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