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Rarely has a Championship playoff final been so overshadowed by events involving neither of the two competing clubs.
Hull City and Middlesbrough face off in football's "richest game" with a coveted Premier League berth on the line next season, yet it is the 'Spygate' scandal that continues to dominate the narrative surrounding this match.
Southampton's unsanctioned spying activities — not just before their playoff semifinal but on two separate occasions during the regular campaign — resulted in the Saints being disqualified by the English Football League (EFL). Having defeated Boro across two legs to earn a shot at an immediate top-flight return, their place in Saturday's showpiece has now been handed to Kim Hellberg's squad.
Given an extraordinary second opportunity, the Teessiders now find themselves as favorites to claim glory at Wembley and return to top-flight football for the first time since 2017. Hull, who edged past third-placed Millwall after narrowly qualifying for the playoffs, have also been absent from the Premier League for nine years.
Having come perilously close to dropping into the third tier last season, Sergej Jakirović has the Tigers daring to dream.
Here's everything you need to know about watching the 2026 Championship playoff final.
What Time Does Hull vs. Middlesbrough Kick Off?
How to Watch Hull vs. Middlesbrough on TV, Live Stream
Sky Sports holds the broadcasting rights to EFL fixtures in the United Kingdom, and Saturday's highly anticipated final will air on both Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football. Viewers on mobile or other devices can stream the match via Sky Go and NOW TV.
Paramount+ remains the exclusive streaming option for fans in the United States looking to catch the second-tier drama. Meanwhile, DAZN and fuboTV will be available for Canadian viewers tuning in.
In Mexico, fans can choose between ESPN and Disney+ Premium.
Country | TV Channel/Live Stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | Sky Go UK, NOW, SKY GO Extra, Sky Ultra HD, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football |
United States | Paramount+ |
Canada | DAZN Canada, fuboTV Canada |
Mexico | ESPN Mexico, Disney+ Premium Mexico |
What's Next for Hull, Middlesbrough?
A difficult summer lies ahead for one of these sides.
With neither squad featuring prominently at the upcoming World Cup, the losing team faces a long and deflating stretch between Saturday's final and the start of preseason. They will return to Championship competition in mid-August.
The victors, on the other hand, will pocket a substantial financial reward and revel in the joy of earning promotion. Club officials will swiftly shift focus to summer recruitment, with the Premier League campaign typically getting underway a week after the EFL.