Wrexham, Hull City, and Derby County are all in contention for the final Championship play-off spot on the final day of the 2026 season.
The fight for sixth place in the Championship is reaching its climax as the final regular-season matches approach. Wrexham’s recent 3-1 loss to league leaders Coventry City leaves the Red Dragons, Hull City, and Derby County all within striking distance of securing a play-off berth. All teams in the second tier will conclude their 46-game campaigns simultaneously next weekend, with the outcome of those matches determining who advances to the semi-finals.
At present, Wrexham hold the sixth position with 70 points from 45 matches, featuring 19 wins, 13 draws, and 13 defeats, along with a goal difference of +4. Hull City sit just behind them with 70 points from 45 games, having recorded 20 wins, 10 draws, and 15 losses with a +3 goal difference. Derby County trail closely with 69 points from 45 matches, including 20 wins, 9 draws, and 16 defeats and a superior goal difference of +9.
The decisive fixtures are scheduled to begin at 12:30 BST on Saturday, May 2. These simultaneous kick-offs will decide which three teams secure the top six positions, with the sixth-placed side hosting the third-placed team in the play-off semi-finals on May 8, followed by a return leg three days later.
For Wrexham to finish sixth, they must outperform Hull City’s result while also matching or surpassing Derby County’s outcome. If Wrexham and Hull end up with identical points and goal differences, the deciding factor will be the total number of goals scored. Their current goal difference stands at +4, one better than Hull’s +3.
Hull City can secure sixth place if they finish above Wrexham’s result against Middlesbrough and at least match Derby’s result against Sheffield United. A victory for the Tigers over Norwich City would suffice if Wrexham fail to win against Middlesbrough or even if they win, provided Hull overturn a one-goal deficit in goal difference.
Derby County will claim sixth position if they defeat Sheffield United while both Wrexham and Hull fail to win their respective matches. Even a draw for Derby against the Blades would be enough for sixth place, as long as both Wrexham and Hull suffer defeats on the final day. Their superior goal difference of +9 gives them an advantage in potential tiebreakers.