Championship Play-offs 2022: Fixtures and Dates

As of now, we are right ahead of the 2021/22 season, which will host the Championship play-offs. The final is called 'the richest game in football,’ and the winners can earn at least £135million. Here's everything you would wish to know about the 2022 Championship play-offs!

The Championship Play-offs

The Championship play-offs in England equate to a series of knockout games where the third and final team to be promoted to the Premier League is decided. They take place after the conclusion of the regular Championship season and the teams which finish third, fourth, fifth and sixth in the league are invited to play.

A merit system helps determine the semi-final fixtures, and the third-placed team encounters the sixth-placed team while the team in fourth place plays the team in fifth place. The Championship play-off semi-finals are two-legged episodes and the winners enter the final.

When and Where Will the 2022 Championship Play-offs Start?

The Championship's regular season is slated to conclude on Saturday, May 7, which means the playoffs could be scheduled for the following weekends. The final is most likely to take place on Sunday, May 29 while the timings and date for the semi-finals will be announced later.

The matches will be hosted at the Wembley Stadium in London which is the traditional venue for all EFL play-off deciders. The League One and League Two play-offs are also being played there.

Teams That Can Qualify for the Championship Play-offs

The teams occupying third to sixth positions in the table will qualify for the Championship play-offs. Top-ranked Fulham are 16 points ahead of Nottingham Forest (currently in third) although the latter have played a game more. Hence, Fulham won't require the play-offs to ensure that they are promoted back to the Premier League. Expected to join Fulham are

Bournemouth, who are six points ahead of Forest. The former are fan favourites who could join Fulham in the top two although the second positioned Bournemouth still have Steve Cooper's tough side to play later this season.

While Forest are hoping to grab the second place, they are struggling to even secure a top-six place due to their total points. They are only six points ahead of Millwall in ninth. Huddersfield, Luton and Sheffield United are among the rest of the contenders occupying playoff spots. Blackburn might overtake and Middlesbrough have the potential to break into the top six if they win their upcoming game. Coventry and QPR are sixth points short of entering the top-six list.

Championship table

1.	Fulham	83pts
2.	Bournemouth	73pts
3.	Nottingham Forest	67pts
4.	Huddersfield	66pts
5.	Luton	65pts
6.	Sheff Utd	65pts
7.	Blackburn	63pts
8.	Middlesbrough	62pts
9.	Millwall	61pts
10.	Coventry	59pts
11.	QPR	59pts

Winners of Last Year's Championship Play-offs

Brentford clinched the Championship play-offs in 2021, defeating Swansea City 2-0 in the final. Within ten minutes, Ivan Toney brought in an early lead for Thomas Frank's side from the penalty spot. Emiliano Marcondes capitalized on the opportunity another ten minutes later. Although Swansea tried to make a strong return, they were crushed in the second half with Jay Fulton being sent off. Brentford persisted and were ultimately promoted to the Premier League. The Bees took care of Bournemouth in the semi-finals, winning 3-2 while Swansea defeated Barnsley in the next semi-final.