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 ed 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 ed 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 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.

Adam Oxley
BBC Radio Sheffield journalist

Image source, Rex Features

The 12th man usually refers to a club's ers.

The ion from the stands, the noise, the energy to give the players that extra boost to get them over the line.

The Sheffield United ers will indeed need to be the 12th man at Wembley in the Championship play-off final, but the players already have a 12th man on their side.

In fact, his presence has been felt since 9 October last year.

The death of multi-promotion-winning Greece international George Baldock sent shockwaves not just through the red and white half of Sheffield, but the wider world of football.

George's seven-year stay at Bramall Lane ended just a few months earlier, when the 31-year-old started an exciting new adventure at Greek giants Panathinaikos.

The young father made just four appearances for the 20-time Greek champions before being found dead in the swimming pool of his house in Athens.

George was a hugely popular player and person at Sheffield United with teammates, staff and ers alike.

It's no surprise the Blades first two league defeats of the season were at Leeds and Middlesbrough in the first two games after news broke of his ing.

There were many tributes at both those games, and the tributes have continued throughout the season.

Chris Wilder held George's number 2 shirt aloft in front of the away end at Hillsborough after the Blades completed a league double against city rivals Sheffield Wednesday.

There was an emotional pause after two minutes in long-time teammate Chris Basham's testimonial game.

Then during the second half of United's play-off semi-final second-leg victory against Bristol City, there were multiple, spine-tingling renditions of George's 'Starman' song, with every single Blades er standing and singing at the top of their voices.

There are many reasons to believe that this is going to be the year that Sheffield United finally end their wait for play-off success.

The Blades finished third in the Championship, by some distance. It's their tenth play-off campaign, and it's 100 years since they last won at Wembley. It's also Wilder's first play-off campaign with his boyhood Blades and he's already a play-off winner with Oxford United.

There are stories everywhere in football, and everyone involved in the Championship play-off final will have their own heartfelt story involving their family, friends and/or individual circumstances.

But it just feels like Starman George Baldock is set to inspire Sheffield United to earn their place back among the Premier League's stars.

We asked for your views on Sheffield United's play-off semi-final victory over Bristol City, which sets up a Wembley final against either Sunderland or Coventry.

Here is a selection of views from Sheffield United ers...

Clive: With the momentum from those last two games I feel we are going to Wembley full of confidence, and having beaten both teams this season I have no worries!

Mark: After nine previous failures in my lifetime, I sadly see Wembley as a chore and duty. But if we actually do it this time and win there for the first time in 100 years and then I didn't go I would never forgive myself. Being a Blade is never easy.

Jonathan Really pleased with the Blades performance and our quality shone through in the end. I don't fancy Wembley as we have a terrible history there. Is this our time? If we do win promotion our US owners will need to dig deep if we are to stay up this time.

Aswad: Feeling very confident in of our squad, mentality and form. However, it's a one-off game and anything can happen. Based on past play-off final performances, I just want us to show up and perform like we know we can.

Jimmy: It's the first time in my lifetime we're heading into a play-off final with a squad intact (as it stands, touch wood), so to overcome our reputation and history, it's our best opportunity yet. Hard to feel confident as a Blade, and there's still the horrible feeling of what comes next year if we do win one game, but as they say, win lose or draw, we'll still come back for more.

Neill: Incredible, some of the season's best performances just when we needed it. Looks like Sunderland in the final, I just hope whichever red and white stripes goes up doesn't do the same as the one coming down.

Bristol City fans have also been having their say...

Matt: Overall, I think City were just outdone by a better team. The red card in the first leg extinguished all hope and certainly turned the tide against us. With the injuries to some of our key players, we didn't have that last push to undo a talented team. It's been a great year and a bright future ahead for the City. Good luck to Sheffield United in the final.

Pete: It didn't go wrong, we played above what we were expected to play and all the plaudits to the team for doing so well. With an increased investment in the team we could have got into the Premier League. However, I don't blame Steve Lansdown for not pouring his money down the drain. To get to the final would have been fantastic.

Matty: Instead of focusing on the defeat let's just look at the season on a whole as a success. Definitely punching above our weight with one of the smallest budgets in the league. Hopefully the squad won't get torn apart and we can build on this and the experience can make Manning's men contenders next season.

Ian: Big gulf in class between a Premier League-ready side and a top 10 side that overachieved. But we're a club on the up and given the right additions over the summer we'll be back. I'd rather have what happened than to have our season end in February with another mid-table finish.

Jason: We just don't have the firepower. The 20-point gap between us and the top four teams who have been in the Premier League was on show for all to see.

Chris: As a BCFC fan I am extremely proud of the team, they've had a great season. I think we're heading in the right direction with Manning in charge and maybe if they give him a decent budget in the summer we could be challenging those top spots.

Now the dust has settled, how are you feeling as Sheffield United or Bristol City ers after the Blades made it through to the Championship play-off final?

Sheffield United ers can you go all the way and return to the Premier League?

Bristol City fans where did it go wrong?

Come back to this page later on Tuesday to find out what some of you had to say.

Image source, Rex Features

Kieffer Moore says if the Blades can repeat their semi-final form they'll have a good chance of winning the Championship play-off final.

Moore headed the opening goal in the second leg at Bramall Lane on Monday which calmed any Blades nerves after a bright start from Bristol City.

Gus Hamer and Callum O'Hare added gloss to the scoreline after the break and booked a trip to Wembley on 24 May.

The forward told BBC Radio Sheffield: "It was perfect - to a man, everyone was brilliant and the crowd was amazing. The whole atmosphere was unreal.

"We needed that first goal to really assert ourselves. When we scored, the best of our football really came out. We knew what we had to do and it was a very good, professional performance.

"We're very much buzzing and looking forward to Wembley now. We've really shown what we can do over these last two games. If we can bring that and more, we've a very good chance."

Moore had treatment after an awkward landing in the opening half and was withdrawn just after the hour as Chris Wilder made several changes but the striker added: "I jarred my knee but it's not too bad."

Image source, Rex Features

Chris Wilder praised Sheffield United for "getting the job done" on a night when they had "everything to lose".

The Blades withstood a good spell from Bristol City in the opening half-hour at Bramall Lane as the Robins tried to make inroads into a 3-0 first-leg deficit.

Goals from Kieffer Moore and Gus Hamer either side of the break and Callum O'Hare's second goal off the bench in the tie wrapped-up the biggest aggregate win in Championship play-off history and ensured a date with Sunderland or Coventry at Wembley on 24 May.

Wilder told BBC Sport: "That was tough. I don't think the scoreline represented the challenge.

"They're an awkward side and technically a really good one with a smart, intelligent coach.

"We had to be good and I thought we had everything to lose. We had to make sure we got the job done.

"I didn't have to tell the players not to be complacent.

"We didn't get the press right from the off and they found the pockets and played with some freedom but after that we got a foothold and some more control.

"It was a strange one because I've not been in that situation before."

Sheffield United will aim to confirm their place in the Championship play-off final on Monday (KO 20:00 BST) as they carry a 3-0 lead into the second leg of their tie with Bristol City.

The Robins will need to record the second-best comeback in EFL play-off history if they are to overturn the deficit.

The biggest comeback was in League One in 2023 when Sheffield Wednesday came from 4-0 down to beat Peterborough.

• After winning the first leg of this play-off tie 3-0 at Ashton Gate, Sheffield United are now unbeaten across their past eight games across all competitions against Bristol City (W6 D2). In that time, the Blades have kept five clean sheets in total.

• Bristol City have failed to win any of their past four away games across all competitions against Sheffield United, though three of their past four victories overall against the Blades have come at Bramall Lane.

• Sheffield United have lost each of their past two home EFL play-off fixtures (2-1 vs Nottingham Forest in 2022 & 2-1 vs Swindon Town in 2015), after going unbeaten across their first seven matches at Bramall Lane beforehand (W5 D2).

• In the history of the EFL play-offs, just 10 of 60 teams have progressed from the semi-final stage after losing their first leg on home soil, though no side has ever come back from a three-goal margin of defeat at home in the first leg to reach the final.

• Throughout the regular season in the Championship, Sheffield United kept 12 clean sheets across their 23 home league games, with only the top two sides Leeds (14) and Burnley (15) managing more.

• During the regular season, Bristol City won just four of their 23 away Championship games, with only five sides in the division managing fewer.