Ipswich on brink of Premier League return as Championship finale looms

Key facts

• Ipswich Town need a win against QPR at Portman Road to guarantee automatic promotion to the Premier League.
• Coventry City have already secured the Championship title and promotion.
• One point separates Wrexham, Hull City and Derby County in the race for the final play-off place.
• Millwall and Middlesbrough are still mathematically alive for automatic promotion if Ipswich slip.
• Hull City are winless in their last six Championship matches.
• Leicester City, already relegated, are on a seven-game winless run heading into their final match at Blackburn Rovers.
• All 12 Championship fixtures kick off simultaneously at 12:30pm on Saturday.

Final-day drama across the Championship

The 2025-26 Championship season reaches its climax on Saturday, with automatic promotion and the final play-off berth still undecided. Ipswich Town, second in the table, host Queens Park Rangers at Portman Road knowing a victory will send them back to the Premier League after a 24-year absence. A draw or defeat, however, would open the door for Millwall or Middlesbrough to snatch second place. Both sides remain in contention, though they require a major collapse from Ipswich to overtake them.

Ipswich's path to promotion

Ipswich have controlled their destiny for weeks, and a win on Saturday would make the mathematics irrelevant. The Tractor Boys have been propelled by a strong home record and a cohesive squad built under manager Kieran McKenna. Their opponents, QPR, are mid-table with nothing to play for, but Ipswich cannot afford complacency. The club's supporters, who have waited since 2002 for a return to the top flight, are expected to pack Portman Road in anticipation of a historic moment.

Three-way fight for the final play-off spot

Behind the automatic promotion race, a tense battle is unfolding for sixth place and the last play-off position. Wrexham, Hull City and Derby County are separated by a single point, with all three playing simultaneously on Saturday. Wrexham face Middlesbrough in what is arguably the standout fixture of the day. The Red Dragons, buoyed by a passionate fan base and Hollywood ownership, are chasing a play-off berth in their first season at this level. Middlesbrough, still harboring hopes of automatic promotion, will be desperate for a win to keep pressure on Ipswich.

Hull and Derby face tough tests

Hull City travel to face a resurgent opponent, but their recent form is a concern: they are winless in their last six league matches. A victory could still lift them into the top six, but they need results elsewhere to go their way. Derby County, meanwhile, host Sheffield United at Pride Park. The Rams currently hold the final play-off spot by a slender margin, and a win would secure their place regardless of other results. However, Sheffield United are a formidable opponent, and Derby cannot rely on others slipping up.

Relegated Leicester end a dismal campaign

Leicester City, relegated from the Premier League last season, have endured a miserable finish to the Championship season. They are winless in seven games, drawing five of their last seven, including their last two outings. Their final match is away at Blackburn Rovers, where they are predicted to draw again. The Foxes' collapse has been a talking point all season, and Saturday offers a chance to end on a positive note — though their form suggests otherwise.

What comes next

The final whistle on Saturday will resolve the promotion and play-off picture, but the aftermath will ripple through the summer. For Ipswich, promotion means planning for the Premier League; for the play-off participants, a grueling three-match tournament awaits, with the winner earning a place in the top flight. The Championship's reputation for unpredictability has been reinforced this season, and Saturday's matches promise to deliver more twists before the curtain falls.

The bottom line

• Ipswich Town can secure automatic promotion with a win over QPR on the final day.
• Millwall and Middlesbrough are still mathematically alive for second place if Ipswich fail to win.
• Wrexham, Hull City and Derby County are separated by one point in the race for the final play-off spot.
• Hull City enter the final day winless in six matches, jeopardizing their play-off hopes.
• Leicester City, already relegated, are on a seven-game winless run heading into their season finale.
• All 12 Championship matches kick off simultaneously at 12:30pm on Saturday, ensuring a dramatic conclusion.