League Two play-offs: Confirmed teams & dates for play-off semi-finals
By Dan Hepburn
One just one gameweek of the 2022/23 League Two season left to play, we're nearing the all-important play-offs.
Promotion and relegation are just a staple part of England's lower divisions and one additional place in the league above will be secured through League Two's play-off format at the end of the regular season.
Here's all you need to know ahead of the high-pressure play-off semi-finals.
Promoted teams from 2022/23 League Two
A total of three teams gain automatic promotion from League Two, leading one more spot in League One being up for grabs in the play-offs.
Leyton Orient won the league title recently having accumulated a hugely impressive 90 points.
Stevenage will join Orient in League One next season as they mathematically cannot drop below third, even if Northampton win and Stevenage lose on the final day.
As things stand, Northampton would be the third and final team to avoid the play-offs and earn automatic promotion. However, anything but three points away at 11th-placed Tranmere would leave the door ajar for Stockport County, who face off against Hartlepool on the final day.
Teams that have qualified for 2022/23 League Two play-off semi-finals
Position | Team | Played | Won | Draw | Loss | Goal difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Leyton Orient | 45 | 26 | 12 | 7 | 27 | 90 |
2 | Stevenage | 45 | 23 | 13 | 9 | 21 | 82 |
3 | Northampton | 45 | 22 | 14 | 9 | 19 | 80 |
4 | Stockport | 45 | 22 | 12 | 11 | 28 | 78 |
5 | Carlisle | 45 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 23 | 75 |
6 | Salford | 45 | 22 | 9 | 14 | 19 | 75 |
7 | Bradford | 44 | 20 | 15 | 9 | 19 | 75 |
8 | Mansfield | 45 | 20 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 72 |
As things stand 30/05/2023
In terms of the play-off picture, one of Northampton or Stockport will take up one of the semi final berths - depending on who finishes third and who finishes fourth.
The team between that finishes fourth, either Northampton or Stockport, will be joined by three of the following teams: Carlisle, Salford, Bradford and Mansfield.
Mansfield are three points adrift of the rest and will be relying on one of those above them to slip up on the final day.
Carlisle, Salford and Bradford are all level on 75 points, but the latter have an extra game in hand on the rest of the pack as they travel to Crewe five days prior to the final matchday.
League Two play-off semi-final dates
The final round of the 2022/23 League Two fixtures will be played on May 8, 2023.
Once the four teams have been confirmed, both semi-finals will be played over two legs, meaning all teams play home and away.
The play-offs are formatted so that fourth place will take on seventh place, and whoever finishes in fifth will face sixth place, with seventh and sixth place playing at home in their respective first legs.
- League Two A: 4th vs 7th
- League Two B: 5th vs 6th
Date | Time | Teams |
|---|---|---|
Saturday, 13 May 2023 | 19:45 | League Two A 1st leg - 7th vs 4th |
Sunday, 14 May 2023 | 19:00 | League Two B 1st leg - 6th vs 5th |
Thursday, 18 May 2023 | 20:00 | League Two A 2nd leg - 4th vs 7th |
Friday, 19 May 2023 | 20:00 | League Two B 2nd leg - 6th vs 5th |
When is the 2022/23 League Two play-off final?
Once two teams have won their respective semi-finals, they will book themselves a spot in front of a 90,000-seated Wembley crowd.
It has been confirmed by the EFL via their official website that the two finalists will step out at Wembley on Sunday 28 May 2023 at 13:30 BST.