Championship play-offs 2022: Everything you need to know

The Championship play-offs are among the most exciting - and most lucrative - fixtures in the football world.

With four teams involved and a place in the Premier League at stake, they make for some of the most competitive and intriguing games of the seasons.

Ahead of the 2021-22 edition of the Championship play-offs, GOAL brings you everything you need to know, including the teams involved, fixture dates, how to watch live on TV and more.

What are the Championship play-offs?

The Championship play-offs in England are a series of knockout games used to determine the third and final team to be promoted to the Premier League.

The play-off fixtures are played after the conclusion of the regular Championship season and feature the teams which finish third, fourth, fifth and sixth in the league.

A merit system is used to allocate the semi-final fixtures, with the third-placed team facing off against the sixth-placed team and the team in fourth place playing the team in fifth place.

The Championship play-off semi-finals are two-legged affairs, with the winners advancing to the final.

Which teams have qualified for the Championship play-offs in 2022?

The identities of the teams which have qualified for the 2022 Championship play-offs have not yet been confirmed, but a picture is beginning to emerge, with a number of contenders firmly in the mix.

Championship 2021-22 table

Last updated: April 30, 2022

With a finishing line edging into view, Fulham have pulled clear of the chasing pack and clinched automatic promotion, but Bournemouth are still looking over their shoulder.

Nottingham Forest are daring to dream of snatching second spot as their renaissance under Steve Cooper continues, while Huddersfield Town are also in that mix.

Luton Town and Sheffield United occupy the other play-off spots at present, but Middlesbrough and Millwall could still snatch a place on the final day.

Check out the favourites, contenders and outsiders for promotion from the Championship here.

When are the Championship 2022 play-offs?

The Championship play-offs take place after the conclusion of the regular season.

In 2021-22, the regular season final day is May 7, 2022, meaning that the first semi-final games will take place on Friday May 13 - when the side finishing sixth will take on the team finishing third.

Fifth will face fourth in the first leg of their showdown a day later on May 14, with return legs pencilled in for May 16 and 17.

The EFL has confirmed that the 2022 Championship play-off final will take place on May 29.

When & where is the Championship 2022 play-off final?

The 2022 Championship play-off final will be played on Sunday May 29, 2022.

Wembley Stadium in London will host the game and it is the traditional venue for all EFL play-off deciders, with the League One and League Two play-offs also being played there.

Championship 2022 play-offs TV channel & live stream

Sky Sports has the broadcasting rights for the Championship in the United Kingdom and the 2022 Championship play-off games will be shown live on TV through Sky Sports Football.

If you wish to live stream the Championship play-off games in the UK, Sky Go is the network's service.

In the United States, Championship games, including the play-offs, are available to watch on ESPN / BAMTech networks, while ESPN+ is the main online streaming service.

Who won last year's Championship play-offs?

Brentford won the Championship play-offs in 2021, defeating Swansea City 2-0 in the final.

Ivan Toney gave Thomas Frank's side an early lead from the penalty spot after 10 minutes and their advantage was doubled by Emiliano Marcondes 10 minutes later.

Swansea's chances of mounting a comeback were dealt a blow in the second half when Jay Fulton was sent off in the 65th minute and Brentford held on to clinch promotion to the Premier League - a first in the club's history.

The Bees had overcome Bournemouth in the semi-finals, winning 3-2 on aggregate, while Swansea beat Barnsley in the other semi-final.