Carlisle vs. Stockport Preview: Odds, Date, Kick-Off Time and TV Channel for the 2023 League Two Play-Off Final

Carlisle and Stockport will face off to determine who will be the fourth promoted team into League One next season.

Paul Simpson's side are vying for a first return to League One in nine seasons. They beat out Bradford to a spot in this year's League Two play-off final, winning 3-2 on aggregate thanks to a 3-1 victory at Brunton Park in the second leg. United finished fifth in the table and ended the regular season with only one win from their last five matches.

Before last term, Stockport had endured non-league football for over a decade. Under the stewardship of Dave Challinor, they returned to the English Football League and have a chance to make it back-to-back promotions. A win would mark their first taste of League One football since the 2009/10 campaign. County finished fourth in L2, three points clear of their opponents in the final here.

Here are all of the important details you need for the big showdown, including the date, time and destination, as well as a look at the early odds and some further insight into this massive fixture.

When is the League Two Play-Off Final?

This year's League Two Play-Off Final, contested by Carlisle United and Stockport County, is scheduled to take place on Sunday 28th May 2023, with a kick-off time of 1:30pm.

Where is the League Two Play-Off Final?

As always, Wembley Stadium - the home of English football - plays host to the League Two Play-Off Final.

The major football venue has a capacity of 90,000, making it the largest sporting venue in the UK and the second-largest stadium in Europe behind Barcelona's Camp Nou.

Fans of both teams have each been allocated 36,000 tickets to sell, while the remaining seats will be filled by corporate attendees.

Which TV Channel is the League Two Play-Off Final On?

Sky Sports' dedicated Football channel is televising the League Two Play-Off Final. Coverage starts at 1pm, giving fans 30 minutes of build up before the action on the pitch gets underway from 1:30pm.

What are the Carlisle vs Stockport Odds?

Stockport enter this match up as the 6/4 favourites to win inside 90 minutes, with a shorter price of 8/11 for County to lift the trophy by any means necessary.

Carlisle can be backed at above even money in both markets, with a win across 90 minutes, extra time or penalties priced at 11/10 and the larger 9/4 in regular time alone.

If you fancy things to be all square at the full time whistle, 12/5 is being quoted a couple of different bookmakers.

Other markets, such as correct score, method of victory, handicap betting, total goals and price boosts are also available.

Those awaiting player prop markets will have to wait until Wednesday or Thursday before bookmakers upload those odds onto their sites.

What Have the Managers Said?

Paul Simpson, Carlisle United boss, has insisted there'll be no deviation from his side's preparations this season when it comes to their straight knockout with Stockport.

On the club's website, the gaffer said, "We train exactly like we have been. Our season still has one week to go and we'll be ready for it. We’ll get freshened up, and I’ve said this before, if you can’t get up for a game at Wembley then you’ve got serious problems. We’ve shown we can handle these occasions and now we have to do it one more time."

In the Hatters' case, Dave Challinor stated his players emptied the tank in their Edgeley Park semi-final second leg with Salford City, which was edged on penalties.

“Over 120 minutes, the lads were on their backsides in extra-time, and to come through and have an extra game is hugely pleasing.”

He also said in a club interview, “It’s now an absolutely brilliant week for us. Everybody else will be on holiday, on a beach…we’ve got a brilliant week ahead of us. We’ll embrace that."

Who are the Most Recent Winners of the League Two Play-Off Final?

Port Vale lifted last season's 21/22 Play-Off winners trophy, overcoming Mansfield Town by way of a 3-0 victory.

Blackpool have been promoted from the fourth tier of English football by winning the play-off final three times - more than any other team. Cheltenham Town, Northampton Town and Southend United have all won two finals each, while Exeter City and Torquay United are the two sides with the unfortunate three final losses on their records.