English EFL League One Play-Offs All Winners (1987-2025)

The League One play-offs, first introduced in 1987, have become one of the most exciting traditions in English football. They give clubs finishing just outside the automatic promotion spots a final chance to reach the Championship. Over the years, the format has shifted from two-legged finals to the modern Wembley showdown, but the essence has remained the same: high drama, tense atmospheres, and unforgettable moments. Clubs like Wigan Athletic, Birmingham City, Portsmouth, and Plymouth Argyle have all used the play-offs as their gateway to the next level, with Wigan standing out as the most successful side thanks to four triumphs. Between 1987 and 2025, the play-offs have produced countless stories of heartbreak and glory. Coventry City’s 2020 win, Luton Town’s 2019 success, Sheffield United’s 2017 promotion, and Wolverhampton Wanderers’ 2014 victory are just a few examples of how the competition has shaped club histories. More recently, Birmingham City (2025), Portsmouth (2024), and Plymouth Argyle (2023) claimed promotion through this route, proving that the play-offs remain a fierce battleground. For fans and players alike, they are a test of resilience and nerve, often delivering the kind of drama that defines entire seasons.