What time does Championship play-off final kick off? Game moved after Southampton expulsion

The Championship play-off final kick-off time has been changed following Southampton’s expulsion from the game.

All of the talk around the showpiece match at Wembley this weekend is not going to be about the two teams actually in it.

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Instead, the Saints will be the major talking point following their removal from the final due to breaching the EFL’s rules by spying on Middlesbrough and two other teams during the season.

The club have admitted to the charges and that has led to them being expelled, allowing Boro to take their place.

So, Kim Hellberg’s side have been given a second chance at promotion to the Premier League, facing Hull on Saturday.

It is going to be a very unique build-up to the game and there has already been one major change made…

When does the Championship play-off final kick off?

The kick-off time for the Championship play-off final has been moved an hour earlier than originally scheduled.

Hull vs Middlesbrough is set to get started at 3:30pm on Saturday, May 23 at Wembley Stadium.

This has been switched from the original 4:30pm start time.

However, there remains a chance that the game could be moved back to 4:30pm should Southampton be reinstated.

An EFL statement reads: “Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final between Hull City and Middlesbrough will kick-off at 15:30.

“Should the outcome of the ongoing appeal process result in the Final being contested by Hull City and Southampton, the kick-off time for the fixture will remain at 16:30.”

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Championship play-off final: How to follow

There will be more interest than ever in the play-off final this weekend amid all the surrounding drama.

So, make sure to keep up with all the action on talkSPORT.

Exclusive live commentary of Hull vs Middlesbrough from Wembley will be coming from Sam Matterface, ex-England striker Dean Ashton and former Hull manager Steve Bruce.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. 

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

The final will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football too.

Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images

Championship play-off final: What has been said?

Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, for Hull and Middlesbrough, none of the talk pre-match is going to be about them.

It’s Southampton that will be in the headlines and talkSPORT’s Andy Townsend has strongly weighed in on the spygate controversy.

“What an absolute shambles,” the ex-Chelsea midfielder said. “When I first heard that something was happening, I couldn’t believe the manager and probably a few of his immediate staff were all in on it.

“I think they’ll be making movies about it in a few years time because it is that ridiculous.

“He’s got to get sacked. That Southampton manager, get him gone.

” And his staff members that were all up there and in on it, they’ve got to go. They shouldn’t be managing anywhere near our leagues ever again.”