The Championship play-off final kick-off time has been confirmed after days of uncertainty caused by the fallout from the division's 'Spygate' scandal. Hull City will face Middlesbrough at Wembley Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with the match starting at 3.30pm and broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The EFL announced the revised kick-off after Southampton lost their appeal against expulsion from the play-offs. Had the south coast club been successful, the final would have started an hour later at 4.30pm. Southampton had originally been due to contest the final but were dramatically removed from the competition earlier this week, with Middlesbrough taking their place.
Southampton admitted to multiple breaches of EFL regulations relating to the unauthorised filming of training sessions ahead of matches against Oxford United, Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough. As well as being expelled from the play-offs, they were handed a four-point deduction for the 2026/27 Championship season.
The club appealed the punishment, describing it as 'manifestly disproportionate', but an independent arbitration panel dismissed the appeal. An EFL statement confirmed: 'A League Arbitration Panel has today dismissed Southampton Football Club's appeal against the Independent Disciplinary Commission's decision in respect of breaches of EFL Regulations. As a result, the original sanction remains in force.'
The controversy had also caused confusion over the kick-off time, with two separate start times initially circulated before the EFL settled on the 3.30pm slot. Now Hull and Middlesbrough will contest one of the most lucrative matches in football, with promotion to the Premier League at stake.
