Southampton and Hull City will meet at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, May 23, in the 2026 EFL Championship Playoff Final — a match that will be worth an estimated £200 million in Premier League revenue to whichever side wins it. Both clubs had to dig deep just to get there. Southampton edged past Middlesbrough 2-1 in extra time on Tuesday night in a semi-final of extraordinary tension, while Hull City stunned Millwall 2-0 in south London in the other tie — a result few saw coming after the first leg had finished goalless. This Wembley final has all the ingredients of a classic.
Southampton's journey was almost ended before extra time even began. Riley McGree put Middlesbrough in front after just five minutes, and the atmosphere inside St Mary's was edgy for long stretches of the game. It took a thumping Ross Stewart header to level things up before the break, and then the tie stretched into extra time with neither side willing to give an inch. It was Shea Charles who finally broke Middlesbrough hearts, curling a left-footed shot into the corner in the 116th minute to send the home crowd into pandemonium. The Northern Ireland midfielder has had a quiet season in patches but chose the most important moment of the campaign to write himself into Southampton folklore.
Hull's Super-Subs Settled It at the Den
Hull's win at Millwall was arguably the more clinical of the two semi-finals. Manager Ruben Selles had done his homework, and when the game opened up in the second half, his substitutes made the difference. Mohamed Belloumi, brought on in the 65th minute, provided the creativity that had been missing in the first half, and it was his work that led directly to Joe Gelhardt's first goal of the evening. Gelhardt — on loan from Leeds United — added a second late on to seal it convincingly. Millwall, who had the better of the first leg at the KCOM Stadium before the tie ended goalless, were left to reflect on a series of missed chances that cost them dearly across the two legs. For Hull, a first Playoff Final appearance since 2016 is a massive moment for a club that has had its share of turbulence in recent years.
At Wembley, it is difficult to split the two sides on current form. Southampton finished third in the Championship table and have the greater experience of top-flight football in recent years, having spent time in the Premier League before their relegation. Hull, however, showed against Millwall that they can rise to a big occasion, and Belloumi — signed from Algerian football last summer — has the kind of unpredictability that could trouble any defence on his day. This one could genuinely go either way, and a tight, tactical contest seems likely given the stakes involved for both clubs.
The Prediction: A Narrow Southampton Win
Southampton's greater experience of Premier League football and the quality of their match-winners gives them a narrow edge going into the final. Shea Charles, fresh off his semi-final heroics, and the threat of Adam Armstrong and Kamaldeen Sulemana wide gives them enough variety in attack to cause Hull problems. Expect a tight first half, with the decisive moment coming after the 70-minute mark. Southampton 1-0 Hull City, with Charles to make it a memorable week for him personally. Though anyone who watched that semi-final on Tuesday knows not to underestimate Hull's belief for a single second.
Match facts / Preview: EFL Championship Playoff Final | Southampton vs Hull City | Wembley Stadium, Saturday 23 May 2026 | Southampton semi-final: won 2-1 AET vs Middlesbrough (Shea Charles, 116') | Hull semi-final: won 2-0 at Millwall (Gelhardt x2) | Prize: Premier League promotion for 2026-27 season | Estimated value: £200m+
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