Football League play-offs
Wembley Stadium was the venue for each play-off final
Season2015–16
ChampionsHull City (Championship)
Barnsley (League One)
AFC Wimbledon (League Two)
Matches played15
Goals scored39 (2.6 per match)
Biggest home winBarnsley 3–0 Walsall
Biggest away winDerby County 0–3 Hull City
Highest attendance70,189
Lowest attendance4,634
Average attendance26,210
← 2015
2017 →

The Football League play-offs for the 2015–16 season (referred to as the Sky Bet Play-Offs for sponsorship reasons) were held in May 2016 with all finals being staged at Wembley Stadium in London.

The play-offs begin at the semi-final stage with all semi-finals being played over two legs, contested by the teams who finished in 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th place in the Football League Championship and League One and the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th-placed teams in the League Two table. The winners of the semi-finals then advance to the finals, with the winner of the final gaining promotion for the following season.

Background

The Football League play-offs have been held every year since 1987. They take place for each division following the conclusion of the regular season and are contested by the four clubs finishing below the automatic promotion places.

Championship

Main article: 2015–16 Football League Championship

Semi-finals

First leg
Sheffield Wednesday2–0Brighton & Hove Albion
Wallace 45'
Lee 73'		 Report
Hillsborough Stadium, Sheffield
Attendance: 34,260
Referee: Andre Marriner
Derby County0–3Hull City
Report Hernández 30'
Shackell 40' (o.g.)
Robertson 90+8'
iPro Stadium, Derby
Attendance: 29,969
Referee: Neil Swarbrick
Second leg
Brighton & Hove Albion1–1Sheffield Wednesday
Dunk 19' Report Wallace 28'
Falmer Stadium, Brighton
Attendance: 27,272
Referee: Roger East

Sheffield Wednesday won 3–1 on aggregate.

Hull City0–2Derby County
Report Russell 7'
Robertson 36' (o.g.)
KC Stadium, Kingston upon Hull
Attendance: 20,470
Referee: Michael Oliver

Hull City won 3–2 on aggregate.

Final

Main article: 2016 Football League Championship play-off final
Hull City1–0Sheffield Wednesday
Diamé 71' Report
Wembley Stadium, London
Attendance: 70,189
Referee: Bobby Madley

League One

Main article: 2015–16 Football League One

Semi-finals

First leg
Barnsley3–0Walsall
Demetriou 45' (o.g.)
Winnall 54', 55'		 Report
Oakwell, Barnsley
Attendance: 16,051
Referee: Peter Bankes
Bradford City1–3Millwall
McMahon 13' (pen.) Report Gregory 15'
Morison 34'
J. Martin 45'
Coral Windows Stadium, Bradford
Attendance: 19,241
Referee: Dean Whitestone
Second leg
Walsall1–3Barnsley
Cook 85' Report Hammill 18'
Fletcher 66'
Brownhill 90'
Banks's Stadium, Walsall
Attendance: 8,022
Referee: Darren Deadman

Barnsley won 6–1 on aggregate.

Millwall1–1Bradford City
Gregory 34' Report Proctor 44'
The Den, London
Attendance: 16,301
Referee: Tim Robinson

Millwall won 4–2 on aggregate.

Final

Main article: 2016 Football League One play-off final
Barnsley3–1Millwall
Fletcher 2'
Hammill 19'
Isgrove 74'		 Report Beevers 34'
Wembley Stadium, London
Attendance: 51,277
Referee: Stuart Attwell

League Two

Main article: 2015–16 Football League Two

Semi-finals

First leg
Portsmouth2–2Plymouth Argyle
McNulty 3'
Roberts 51' (pen.)		 Report Matt 9', 19'
Fratton Park, Portsmouth
Attendance: 17,622
Referee: Oliver Langford
AFC Wimbledon1–0Accrington Stanley
Beere 90+3' Report
Kingsmeadow, London
Attendance: 4,870
Referee: Stephen Martin
Second leg
Plymouth Argyle1–0Portsmouth
Hartley 90+1' Report
Home Park, Plymouth
Attendance: 15,011
Referee: Paul Tierney

Plymouth Argyle won 3–2 on aggregate.

Accrington Stanley2–2 (a.e.t.)AFC Wimbledon
Windass 39' (pen.)
Mingoia 59'		 Report Akinfenwa 68'
Taylor 104'
Wham Stadium, Accrington
Attendance: 4,634
Referee: Eddie Ilderton

AFC Wimbledon won 3–2 on aggregate.

Final

Main article: 2016 Football League Two play-off final
AFC Wimbledon2–0Plymouth Argyle
Taylor 78'
Akinfenwa 90+11' (pen.)		 Report
Wembley Stadium, London
Attendance: 57,956
Referee: Iain Williamson

References

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