Never before has the discourse surrounding a Championship playoff final focused less on the two participants. Hull City and Middlesbrough lock horns in soccer's "richest game" with a spot in the Premier League at stake, yet 'Spygate' is the debacle that clouds this fixture.
Southampton Expelled; Hull City Take Their Place
Southampton's paranoid misdemeanours—twice during the regular season and ahead of their playoff semifinal—mean the Saints have been expelled from this game by the English Football League (EFL).
They'd beaten Boro over two legs to have the chance of immediately returning to the top flight, but their place in Saturday's final has been taken by Hull City.
Blessed with an unprecedented second chance, the Teessiders are suddenly favorites to triumph at Wembley and play top-flight soccer for the first time since 2017.
Tigers Eye Return to Premier League
Hull, who overcame third-place Millwall after barely sneaking into the post-season, have also endured a nine-year Premier League absence.
After almost succumbing to the third tier last year, Sergej Jakirovič has got the Tigers dreaming.
Match Details
Date: Saturday, May 23
Location: Wembley Stadium, London, England
Kick-off Time: 3:30 p.m. BST / 10:30 a.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT
Referee: Jarred Gillett
How to Watch
In the United Kingdom, Saturday's final will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football. The match can be streamed on Sky Go and NOW TV.
Paramount+ is the sole streaming option in the United States. DAZN and fuboTV will carry the game in Canada.
Viewers in Mexico can watch on ESPN and Disney+ Premium.
What's Next
The winner will enjoy a hefty bonus and secure promotion to the Premier League, which typically starts a week later than the EFL season.
For the loser, a miserable summer beckons. Neither squad is well-represented at the upcoming World Cup, so it'll be a despondent period until Championship action resumes in mid-August.