Under a sun-drenched Wembley arch, two clubs with very different relationships with the second tier go head to head this afternoon, each desperate to claim the last promotion place from League One. Bolton Wanderers and Stockport County kicked off at 1pm BST, and the stakes could scarcely be higher — a seat at the Championship table is waiting for whichever side can hold their nerve on the grandest stage in domestic football.
The road here
For Stockport, this match carries the weight of a quarter of a century of waiting. County have not played Championship football since the 2001-02 season, and the journey back to the second tier has been a long one involving a slide into non-league football and a painstaking rebuild. Reaching Wembley represents the culmination of years of work, and their supporters have packed into the away end with every expectation that today is finally their day.
Bolton, meanwhile, know this ground well — or at least they know play-off finals well. This afternoon marks the sixth time the Whites have reached the final across the Championship and League One. That kind of experience can cut both ways, of course: it speaks to a club that consistently competes, but also one that has had to make this journey more than once to secure promotion. Ian Evatt's side will want to make sure this is the occasion it finally clicks.
Recent form and the head-to-head
The form book offers Stockport fans genuine encouragement. County have won three of their last four meetings with Bolton, suggesting the psychological edge sits with Dave Challinor's men heading into kick-off. Yet Wembley itself tells a more cautious story — Stockport have won only one of their seven appearances at the national stadium, losing five of those games. Translating league form onto the big occasion is a different challenge entirely, and Bolton will be well aware of that statistic.
The teams
Bolton line up with Jack Bonham in goal behind a back four of Jordi Osei-Tutu, Chris Forino, George Johnston and Max Conway. Josh Sheehan and Xavier Simons provide the midfield base, with Amario Cozier-Duberry, Rúben Rodrigues and Thierry Gale supporting striker Mason Burstow.
Stockport go with Corey Addai between the sticks. Josh Dacres-Cogley, Kyle Wootton, Ethan Pye and Tayo Edun make up the back line, with Odin Bailey, Oliver Norwood and Ben Osborn in midfield. Josh Stokes and Louie Barry — a name familiar to top-flight supporters — flank Adama Sidibeh in attack.
The presence of Norwood, a vastly experienced operator at Championship and Premier League level, gives Stockport composure in the middle of the park, while Louie Barry's creativity in the final third makes him one of the most dangerous players on the pitch.
What it means
It is worth pausing to appreciate what an afternoon like this means beyond the tactical breakdown. Both sets of supporters have made the trip down Wembley Way knowing this could be a moment that defines the next chapter of their club's story. For Stockport, promotion would be the confirmation of a remarkable renaissance. For Bolton, it would end the wait and restore a club of genuine stature to where many believe it belongs.
The market had this one as a tight affair, and looking at the two teams on paper, it is difficult to argue with that assessment. Neither side has a glaring weakness; both are capable of winning it. That is precisely what makes an afternoon like this worth every minute.
Wembley is full, the sun is out, and League One's season comes down to this.
Frequently asked
- What time did the League One play-off final kick off?
- The Bolton v Stockport League One play-off final kicked off at 1pm BST on Sunday 24 May 2026 at Wembley Stadium.
- When were Stockport County last in the Championship?
- Stockport County's last season in the Championship was 2001-02, meaning they have been waiting over two decades for a return to the second tier.
- How many play-off finals have Bolton Wanderers been in?
- Sunday's Wembley appearance is Bolton Wanderers' sixth play-off final across the Championship and League One combined.