Sheffield United

Sheffield United and Sunderland meet at Wembley on Saturday (15:01 BST) as they look to secure promotion in the play-off final.

The Blades sailed past Bristol City to book their place, while it took a last gasp winner from Dan Ballard to see the Black Cats avoid a penalty clash with Coventry City.

Neither side have won a Championship play-off before but Sunderland did find their first play-off promotion in League One in 2022, while Sheffield United are still in search of their own slice of EFL play-off history.

• This is Sunderland's third second tier play-off final – they lost 1-0 to Swindon in 1989-90 (though still ended up being promoted due to Swindon's demotion) and lost on penalties to Charlton in 1997-98 after a 4-4 draw.

• This will be Sheffield United's fifth Football League play-off final and first since losing 8-7 on penalties to Huddersfield Town in League One in May 2012. Overall, the Blades have failed to earn promotion in any of their four previous finals, no side has appeared in more without ever earning promotion (4 also for Leeds United and Reading).

• Sheffield United finished 14 points ahead of Sunderland in the regular Championship season – it's the biggest points difference between two Football League play-off finalists in the current format (since 1988-89).

• The only previous meeting between Sunderland and Sheffield United in the play-offs came in the 1997-98 semi-final, with the Black Cats winning 3-2 on aggregate (1-2 away, 2-0 home) before losing the final on penalties to Charlton.

• Sheffield United have won five of their last seven meetings with Sunderland in all competitions (L2), though did lose the most recent fixture 2-1 in January.

• Having failed to win any of their seven competitive matches at Wembley Stadium between 1985 and 2019, Sunderland have won their last two at the ground – 1-0 against Tranmere in the 2021 Football League Trophy final and 2-0 against Wycombe in the 2021-22 League One play-off final.

• Sheffield United haven't won any of their last seven matches at Wembley Stadium (D1 L6), with their last win coming 100 years ago against Cardiff City in the 1925 FA Cup final.

• Sheffield United won both of their semi-final legs 3-0 against Bristol City, the only previous sides to score 3+ goals in three games of a Football League play-off campaign are Walsall in 1987-88 and Barnsley in 2015-16.

• Eliezer Mayenda has been involved in nine goals in his 13 starts for Sunderland in all competitions so far in 2025 (7 goals, 2 assists), including a goal and an assist in the Black Cats' 2-1 win over Sheffield United on New Year's Day.

• Callum O'Hare scored in both legs of Sheffield United's 6-0 aggregate victory over Bristol City in the semi-final. The last player to score in both semi-final legs and the final in a Championship play-off campaign was Bobby Zamora for West Ham in 2004-05.

Could the Blades finally earn Premier-League promotion from the play-offs?

The Blades Heaven team will be joined by former Sheffield United players Carl Asaba and Rob Page as they look ahead to this weekend's Championship play-off final against Sunderland at Wembley on BBC Radio Sheffield's Football Heaven at 17:40 BST on Thursday.

Not in the area? No bother. You can watch and listen online on the BBC Sport website and app, on the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds.

"The people at Sheffield United would have heard that stat so many times... that will change at some point."

Sheffield United have failed to win an EFL play-off campaign across all of their previous eight attempts but are looking to break that duck on Saturday (13:01 BST) when they face Sunderland at Wembley.

The 72+ podcast team were joined this week by new Reading CEO Joe Jacobson to take a look at whether Sheffield United's play-off fortunes may see a turning point.

"I look at the firepower they've got and in big games like this, it's one or two moments that are going to decide things," Jacobson said.

"Sheffield United, along with Leeds and Burnley, were so far ahead [in the table] - that means something.

"There's a reason they were that far ahead, it's because they are a better squad, a better team."

Listen to the full episode and more on the Football Daily podcast.

Image source, Getty Images

Earlier today, we asked you how many third-place finishers in the Championship managed to clinch promotion in the play-off final since 1990.

The answer - 12!

Bolton Wanderers in 1995 and 2001, Ipswich Town in 2000, Watford in 2006, Derby County in 2007, Hull City in 2008, Swansea City in 2011, West Ham United in 2012, Norwich City in 2015, Fulham in 2018, Brentford in 2021 and Luton Town in 2023.

Can Sheffield United join the list?

Image source, BBC Sport/Getty Images

Sheffield United seek promotion in the play-off final on Saturday (15:01 BST) after finishing third in the Championship.

But how many other third-place finishers have found themselves victorious at Wembley since 1990?

Come back to this page later today for the answer.

Image source, Rex Features

Premier League referee Chris Kavanagh will take charge of Saturday's Championship play-off final between Sheffield United and Sunderland.

The 39-year-old started refereeing in the EFL in 2014 before stepping up to the Premier League in 2017.

Saturday will be his second Championship final, having refereed the 2021 Wembley showpiece when Fulham beat Swansea City 2-0 and he sent off the Swans' Jay Fulton.

Kavanagh was also in charge for last season's EFL Cup final between Chelsea and Liverpool and has officiated in the Champions League, Europa League and Nations League.

All three play-off finals this year will include the use of VAR, semi-automated offside technology and in-stadia announcements.

Image source, Rex Features

The kick-off time has been confirmed for the Championship play-off final between Sunderland and Sheffield United.

The English Football League confirmed on Thursday afternoon that the Wembley showpiece will get under way at 15:00 BST next Saturday afternoon, 24 May.

The announcement follows a meeting of the safety advisory group which includes representatives from all relevant agencies and other stakeholders, including the Metropolitan Police and Wembley National Stadium.

The League One play-off final the following day will kick-off at 13:00 BST and the League Two decider will start at 15:00 BST on Bank Holiday Monday, 26 May.

All three play-off finals will include the use of VAR, semi-automated offside technology and in-stadia announcements.