Bolton Wanderers and Stockport County faced off on May 24 at Wembley Stadium in the 2026 League One play-off final, with Bolton scoring early through Rúben Rodrigues within three minutes of kickoff [1].
Stockport County aim to return to the Championship for the first time since the 2001-02 season [2, 1]. Manager Dave Challinor has guided Stockport through seven promotions and won four league titles during his 16 seasons in management [2]. Challinor said, "A whole host of people work so hard and go through so much to give ourselves the opportunity and we've got that opportunity. So we have to do everything now to make sure we do what we can to grab it" [2].
Bolton Wanderers last played in the Championship in 2018-19 and have experienced multiple play-off final appearances recently, including a 2-0 loss to Oxford United in the 2023-24 League One final at Wembley [2]. They have reached six play-off finals across the Championship and League One [1]. Bolton are currently managed by Steven Schumacher, who took over after Ian Evatt departed following the 2023-24 season [2].
Stockport have won three of their last four matches against Bolton, but their record at Wembley is less favorable, with only one victory in seven appearances [1]. Defender George Johnston noted a renewed focus this season, saying, "It almost felt like [before] 'right, that job's done, on to the next job'. But this time it's definitely half-job done and we're fully focused" [2].
The winner of the final will secure promotion to the EFL Championship for the 2026-27 season. The match’s outcome will decide which team advances after a competitive campaign.
