Question 1

Sky Bet Championship

Accepted Answer

Interest in the Sky Bet Championship is greater than ever with this second tier now ranking among the most-watched leagues across Europe.

Here at Sky Bet, we’re proud to serve as the league’s official sponsor. Our long-time partnership with the EFL has given us first-hand experience of the jaw-dropping unpredictability that makes this division so captivating. 

Whether you’re backing title contenders, promotion hopefuls, or taking advantage of unique match-day promotions, you’ll find the latest Championship odds right here at Sky Bet. If you are looking to bet on other leagues, you can visit our football betting homepage here.

Question 2

Sky Bet Championship: Past & Present

Accepted Answer

The Championship is often regarded as the most competitive league in Europe—and for good reason.

Indeed, the reward on offer to those teams that manage to secure promotion is the promised land of the Premier League and its untold riches. 

With so much at stake, fixtures are often full-blooded affairs and a throwback to football of a bygone era where a blood-and-thunder approach remains enough to triumph over a more cultured philosophy. 

Unsurprisingly, this intense competition has drawn fans in record numbers to stadiums across the country.

In fact, the Sky Bet Championship achieved a remarkable milestone during the 2023/2024 season after setting a new all-time attendance record and ranking as the second most attended league in Europe, ahead of leagues like the Bundesliga, La Liga, and Serie A.

In total, an astonishing 12.72 million supporters passed through the turnstiles of Championship grounds last season. 

Such widespread support for the second tier can be attributed to the league's compelling format which features 24 teams battling it out over a 46-game season.

At the end of the campaign, the three bottom clubs in the league standings are relegated, while three clubs earn promotion. Automatic promotion is achieved when a club finishes in the top two positions of the league table.

The final promotion spot is decided through the play-offs where teams positioned third to sixth in the table compete in semi-finals played over two legs.

The two teams that advance then face off in the Championship play-off final at Wembley Stadium, which is dubbed as the richest game in football with the winner earning a staggering £135 million.

Since its inception in the 2004/2005 season, the league has stood witness to many impressive feats. Chief among these is Reading's record for the highest points tally in a single season with an astounding 106 points during the 2005/2006 campaign.

Additionally, Billy Sharp holds the title of the all-time leading scorer in Championship history having netted 130 goals in the second tier.

Question 3

Popular Championship Betting Markets & Odds

Accepted Answer

The odds in the outright markets often offer value given how quickly teams can move up and down a congested table following back-to-back wins or defeats.

Here are some of the most popular markets to choose from.

Championship Winner Odds

The Championship winner market allows you to pick the team you think will win the title after 46 games. 

Championship Promotion Odds

Betting on the Championship promotion odds allows you to select which teams will secure a place in the Premier League by either finishing in the top two positions or winning the play-off final at the end of the season. 

Championship Relegation Odds

Betting on the Sky Bet Championship relegation odds allows you to choose which teams you believe will be relegated to League One at the end of the season by finishing in positions 22 to 24 in the league table after 46 games.

Championship Top Six Finish Odds

Betting on the Sky Bet Championship top six finish odds allows you to select which teams you believe will cement a place in the coveted top six positions of the league standings at the end of the season.

Championship Automatic Promotion Odds

Betting on the Sky Bet Championship automatic promotion odds allows you to pick which teams you think will finish in the top two positions, and be promoted to the Premier League

Question 4

How do I bet on the Championship winners on Sky Bet?

Accepted Answer

You can place your bet on Championship winners by selecting the outright winner market on the Sky Bet website or app.

Question 5

Can I bet on the Sky Bet Championship play-offs?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can bet on the Championship play-offs, including outright winner and match betting options.

Question 6

Who are the favourites to win the Championship?

Accepted Answer

The odds for the Championship change with every match, injury, management decision - check our Championship winner market to see who the current favourite is.

Question 7

Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs

Accepted Answer

How the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs work

The four teams finishing third through sixth contest the Championship play-offs, a knockout bracket for the one remaining Premier League promotion spot after the top two go up automatically.

This season, Millwall, Southampton, Middlesbrough and Hull City have qualified. Millwall narrowly missed automatic promotion, finishing just one point behind runners-up Ipswich Town, while Hull secured the final play-off place with a last-day comeback victory over Norwich, leapfrogging Wrexham in the process.

The semi-finals are played over two legs, with the higher-placed side hosting the second match. The first leg kicks off on Friday 8 May (Hull vs Millwall, 8pm), followed by Middlesbrough vs Southampton on Saturday 9 May at 12.30pm. Second legs follow on 11 and 12 May.

The final takes place on Saturday 23 May at Wembley Stadium.

Why it matters - “The Richest Game in Football”

The Championship play-off final carries that tag for good reason. A team promoted to the Premier League can initially expect around £100m in TV revenue distribution alone , and that figure can potentially double if the promoted club avoids relegation in their first season. For context, the Champions League winner receives roughly £100m in prize money, less than what a single Championship play-off victory can unlock.

Recent history

Sunderland won the 2025 final with a dramatic 2-1 comeback against Sheffield United, reversing a late deficit with two second-half goals to seal their return to the top flight for the first time since 2016-17.

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