Bolton, Stockport, Bradford, Stevenage, Luton and Plymouth Battle for League One Play-Off Spots on Final Day

Key facts

• Bolton Wanderers have secured a play-off place with 75 points.
• Stockport County, Bradford City, Stevenage, Luton Town, and Plymouth Argyle are competing for the remaining three spots.
• Exeter City (49 points) and Leyton Orient (51 points) are fighting to avoid relegation to League Two.
• Stockport need a point at Barnsley to guarantee their play-off spot after losing 2-1 to already relegated Port Vale.
• Bradford City need at least a draw at Exeter to stay in the top six.
• Stevenage will secure a play-off place with a win over Wigan Athletic.
• Luton Town and Plymouth Argyle can qualify if results go their way.
• The final day of the League One season is Saturday, May 2nd, with all 12 fixtures kicking off at 3:00 pm BST.

A Season of High Stakes Reaches Its Climax

The 2025/26 League One campaign concludes on Saturday, May 2nd, with the division’s 24 teams playing their final fixtures. While Lincoln City and Cardiff City have long since secured automatic promotion, the battle for the remaining play-off places and the fight to avoid relegation have produced a gripping finale. Only Bolton Wanderers, with 75 points, have guaranteed their spot in the end-of-season shootout. The other five contenders — Stockport County, Bradford City, Stevenage, Luton Town, and Plymouth Argyle — must navigate a final day that could see dramatic shifts in fortune.

Bolton, Stockport, and Bradford: The Leading Contenders

Bolton Wanderers, already assured of a play-off place, host Luton Town in a fixture that could determine the fate of others. Stockport County, fourth with 74 points, saw their hopes dented by a shock 2-1 home defeat to already relegated Port Vale on Tuesday. They now need at least a point at Barnsley to book their place, but defeat could see them overtaken by Bradford City, Stevenage, or Luton Town. Bradford City, also on 74 points, require at least a draw at relegation-threatened Exeter City to stay in the top six. A defeat would leave them vulnerable, though they could still qualify if other results fall their way.

Stevenage, Luton, and Plymouth: The Final Spot Open

Stevenage, with 72 points, can secure a play-off place with a victory over Wigan Athletic at Broadhall Way. If they drop points, Luton Town (71 points) and Plymouth Argyle (70 points) are poised to pounce. Luton travel to Bolton, while Plymouth visit already relegated Northampton Town. Tom Cleverley’s Plymouth need to win and hope both Stevenage and Luton fail to take three points. The goal difference tie-breaker adds an extra layer of tension: Luton and Stockport have identical goal differences, meaning every goal could be decisive.

Relegation Battle: Exeter vs Leyton Orient

At the bottom, Exeter City (49 points) and Leyton Orient (51 points) are locked in a two-way fight to avoid joining Northampton Town, Rotherham United, and Port Vale in League Two. Exeter face playoff-chasing Bradford City and must win while hoping for favourable results elsewhere. Leyton Orient, with a two-point cushion, visit Burton Albion knowing a draw might be enough depending on Exeter’s result. The stakes could not be higher: one of these clubs will be consigned to the fourth tier for the 2026/27 season.

Other Fixtures and What to Watch For

AFC Wimbledon, having secured survival with a dramatic 1-0 win at Wigan last weekend, host Huddersfield Town in a dead rubber. Huddersfield have failed to win eight of their last nine league matches. Meanwhile, Barnsley, with little to play for, face a motivated Stockport County at Oakwell. The Tykes have won only once in seven home games, giving County a potential edge. All 12 fixtures kick off simultaneously at 3:00 pm BST, ensuring maximum drama as scores change across the division.

The Broader Picture: A Season of Surprises

The League One season has been defined by the dominance of Lincoln City and Cardiff City, who pulled away from the pack early, making the automatic promotion race an anti-climax. However, the congested play-off race and the relegation dogfight have provided compelling narratives. The final day promises to be a fitting climax, with multiple clubs still in contention for the coveted top-six spots. For the winners, the play-offs offer a shot at Championship football; for the losers, the summer will be spent regrouping. The margins are razor-thin, and Saturday’s results will shape the futures of several clubs.

The bottom line

• Bolton Wanderers are the only team guaranteed a play-off place; five others compete for three remaining spots.
• Stockport County, Bradford City, Stevenage, Luton Town, and Plymouth Argyle all have a mathematical chance on the final day.
• Exeter City and Leyton Orient face a relegation decider; one will join Northampton, Rotherham, and Port Vale in League Two.
• All 12 League One fixtures kick off simultaneously at 3:00 pm BST on Saturday, May 2nd.
• Goal difference could be decisive in both the play-off race and relegation battle.