The League One playoffs, held at the conclusion of each season, provide exhilarating football fixtures that ignite excitement among fans.
These playoffs serve as a rigorous test of teams' resilience, pushing them to their limits in a gruelling trial. The stakes are elevated as the League One playoffs not only offer a stage for underdogs to emerge but also create opportunities for heroes to rise and dreams to be fulfilled.
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The 2023-24 League One playoffs are now over, but here GOAL has compiled essential information for fans, including fixture dates, participating teams, where to watch the matches on TV or through live streaming, and more.
What are the League One playoffs?
Once the regular season ends, the four teams that finish in third, fourth, fifth, and sixth places in the League One standings will get their opportunity for promotion in the playoffs.
The League One playoffs start with two-legged semi-finals, leading to the grand final—a decisive clash where only one team can emerge victorious, earning their well-deserved ticket to the next level.
In the semi-finals, the team in third place faces off against the sixth-placed team, while the fourth-placed team competes against the fifth-placed side in the other semi-final.
Automatic promotion to the next tier is secured only by the top two teams in League One. The playoffs decide the third entry to the Championship.
Which teams have qualified for the 2024 League One playoffs?
The playoff entrants will be teams finishing from third to sixth place in the standings at the end of the season. The current League One table is below.
League One 2023-24 table
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portsmouth (C, P) | 46 | 28 | 13 | 5 | +37 | 97 |
| 2 | Derby County | 46 | 28 | 8 | 10 | +41 | 92 |
| 3 | Bolton | 46 | 25 | 12 | 9 | +35 | 87 |
| 4 | Peterborough | 46 | 25 | 9 | 12 | +28 | 84 |
| 5 | Oxford | 46 | 22 | 11 | 13 | +23 | 77 |
| 6 | Barnsley | 46 | 21 | 13 | 12 | +18 | 76 |
| 7 | Lincoln City | 46 | 20 | 14 | 12 | +25 | 74 |
| 8 | Blackpool | 46 | 21 | 10 | 15 | +17 | 73 |
Last updated: May 4, 2024, 7:30 am BST.
Portsmouth have been crowned League One champions, so their promotion to the Championship is secure, and Derby County have joined them.
Bolton Wanderers, Peterborough United, Oxford and Barnsley are involved in the League One play-offs.
When are the League One 2024 playoffs?
The opening leg of 2024 League One playoff semi-finals kicked off on Friday, May 3, with the second leg of the semis held on May 7 and 8.
The final took place on May 18, 2024.
When & where is the League One 2024 playoff final?
The 2024 League One play-off final was played on Saturday, May 18, 2024. The final is likely to kick off at 3 pm GMT.
The venue for the final was Wembley Stadium which traditionally hosts the League One playoff final.
League One play-off fixtures & results
Semi-finals
| Date | Match | TV channel |
|---|---|---|
| May 3 | Barnsley 1-3 Bolton | Sky Sports Football / ESPN+ |
| May 4 | Oxford 1-0 Peterborough | Sky Sports Football / ESPN+ |
| May 7 | Bolton 2-3 Barnsley | Sky Sports Football / ESPN+ |
| May 8 | Peterborough 1-1 Oxford | Sky Sports Football / ESPN+ |
Final
| Date | Match | TV channel |
|---|---|---|
| May 18 | Bolton Wanderers 0-2 Oxford United | Sky Sports Main Event / Sky Sports Football / ESPN+ |
Where to watch League One 2024 playoffs on TV & live stream
| Country | TV channel | Live stream |
|---|---|---|
| UK | Sky Sports | Sky GO |
| U.S. | N/A | ESPN+ |
Sky Sports has the broadcasting rights to English Football League (EFL) matches in the United Kingdom (UK) and the League One playoffs will be shown live on Sky Sports Football/Main Event and will also be available to stream live online using Sky GO.
ESPN+ will show the League One playoff semi-finals and final in the United States (U.S.).
Who won the League One playoffs in 2023?
GettySheffield Wednesday, Barnsley, Bolton and Peterborough qualified for the League One playoffs at the end of the 2022-23 season. Sheffield, after losing the first leg 4-0 against Peterborough, bounced back with a 5-1 win in the second leg and booked their place in the final on penalties.
They were joined in the final by Barnsley but it was Sheffield Wednesday who won the League One playoff final in 2023, thanks to an extra-time strike by Joshua Windass.