Sheffield United will face Sunderland AFC in the Championship Playoff Final tomorrow, with the winner securing promotion to the Premier League.
The final, which takes place at Wembley Stadium, will kick off at 3pm on Saturday 24 May.
It’s a clash between 3rd and 4th in the league, and while 14 points separated the two on the final day, many are anticipating a close game which could go either way.
Speaking to Sheffield United’s club media on Thursday, boss Chris Wilder said: “It is a fantastic opportunity, and great opportunities give you the chance to make great memories.
“What is attached to the game for the football club from a financial perspective of course is talked about heavily, but for me it is the opportunity to get back to the Premier League with our football club and for the players to test themselves against the best in the world.”
Que Será, Será 🎶 pic.twitter.com/YgeRaxlMtX
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) May 14, 2025
Sheffield United are something of promotion experts, having gone up to England’s top flight four times in the last seven years. Comparatively, Sunderland have struggled in recent years: back to back relegations in 2017 and 2018 saw the Black Cats unceremoniously fall down to League 1.
On the team news front, Wilder added: “We’ve got everybody available which is fantastic news, I’m not surprised everyone is putting their hand up to play.”
Neither team will head into the final on scintillating form. A disappointing end to the season for the Blades saw them miss out on automatic promotion. However, two emphatic wins over Bristol City in the playoff semi-finals seem to have reinvigorated Wilder’s men, who will be more than aware of the task at hand.
Sunderland also struggled at the back end of the season, picking up only one win from their final 8 games. They saw off Coventry City in the semi-finals thanks to a last-gasp winner from defender Dan Ballard.
40,000 Blades fans will be heading down to London for the game, often dubbed ‘the richest game in football’ due to the financial incentives on offer. The winner will receive a minimum of £220 million next season, plus a further £33 million in parachute payments should they get relegated.