Hull and Middlesbrough will vie for Premier League promotion in football’s most lucrative game as they contest in a one-of-a-kind Championship play-off final this afternoon.
The circumstances surrounding this finale have been truly unprecedented, with Southampton being expelled from the play-offs after they were caught spying on Middlesbrough ahead of their semi-final tie, which the Saints won 2-1 on aggregate.
This meant that despite defeat, Boro were reinstated into the play-offs and after Southampton’s last-minute appeal was rejected, Kim Hellberg’s side now have a chance to return to the Premier League for the first time since 2017.
Hull, who were left to watch the Spygate scandal unfold with uncertainty of who they would face at Wembley, sealed their place in the final via more conventional methods, beating third-place finishers Millwall to leave them potentially just 90 minutes away from top-flight football but owner Acun Ilicali has vowed to take legal action should the Tigers lose this afternoon.
Follow all the action from the Championship play-off final at Wembley in our live blog below:
Hull 0-0 Middlesbrough
45 mins: OFF THE BAR! The biggest moment of the game so far!
McBurnie is fighting with Malanda to get his head on the cross, and it actually bounces off the Boro man and hits his own crossbar.
It initially looked like it came off McBurnie’s head, hence the decision of goal-kick.
Hull 0-0 Middlesbrough
44 mins: Big hand from Pandur to flap a dangerous cross from McGree away from the red shirts approaching at the back post.
This game is finally finding some life!
Hull 0-0 Middlesbrough
43 mins: CLOSE! That would have been special!
Belloumi puts it onto his left and tries bending into the top corner from range, but it flashes just wide of the post.
McGree would have been scolded if that went in – he was so passive to the threat and just let the Hull man shoot.
Hull 0-0 Middlesbrough
41 mins: Better from Boro. They work it nicely before McGree tries to slip Whittaker into the box but he’s well shepherded and can’t get anything behind the shot.
Moments later Boro come again, with McGree poking it to Strelec to shoot. However, it’s blocked by the heel of his own team-mate in Whittaker.
Hull 0-0 Middlesbrough
39 mins: That was the first roar inside Wembley for a while!
In a flash Hull look to be in on goal, with Millar chasing down a forward ball after timing his run to perfection.
But Brynn is alert to get off his line and boot it away before the Canadian can reach it.
Hull 0-0 Middlesbrough
35 mins: Evident frustration from the Boro fans as they fail to show much urgency offered an opportunity to really attack the Hull defence.
The Tigers lose the ball in their final third with Whittaker collecting, but he stutters over a shot and ends up going down injured.
Boro players then contemplate whether to kick the ball out for their stricken team-mate, slowing the game down even more before he eventually gets back to his feet. They try and work it around the box but it eventually runs out for a throw on the right.
Hull 0-0 Middlesbrough
32 mins: This is quite the slow-burner so far.
Boro end up having a passage of 20 passes before losing the ball, all without making any progress towards the Hull final third.
They then show some signs of encouragement as they try and slip Strelec in, but he slips with Ajayi chasing and the chance goes away.
‘Boro gameplan not working so far’
Here’s Richard Jolly inside Wembley:
“Quite a lot of Middlesbrough’s gameplan so far consists of Luke Ayling aiming long balls over the Hull defence for someone to chase. There’s no sign of it working so far.”
Richard Jolly at Wembley23 May 2026 16:00
Hull 0-0 Middlesbrough
27 mins: Back underway, the players hydrated in this searing London sun.
Hull 0-0 Middlesbrough
24 mins: The Tigers are beginning to show their teeth!
Millar is the source of threat from the left as the Canadian drives and delivers towards Coyle at the back post.
Coyle’s header is looping and might be landing on the roof of the net, but Brynn isn’t taking any chances.
The corner ends up going backwards sooner than those Hull fans would have hoped and it’s eventually blasted well over from range.
And with that, we have our first drinks break of the game.
Will Castle23 May 2026 15:57NewerOlder