The EFL has revealed the shortlists for its 2026 Awards, with winners to be unveiled at the annual ceremony on Sunday 19 April. The event will be shown live on Sky Sports Football from 8.30pm as the season’s standout performers and contributors are honoured.
Championship manager shortlist
Frank Lampard (Coventry City)
Alex Neil (Millwall)
Sergej Jakirovic (Hull City)
Kim Hellberg (Middlesbrough)
Lampard is nominated after guiding Coventry to the top of the table, while Neil, Jakirovic and Hellberg have each led their sides into the promotion mix as the campaign reaches its climax.
Championship player shortlist
Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough) – influential in midfield for his boyhood club
Carl Rushworth (Coventry City) – outstanding between the posts for the league leaders
Femi Azeez (Millwall) – a creative wide threat with goals and assists
Zan Vipotnik (Swansea City) – the division’s top scorer
League One manager and player shortlists
Managers: Michael Skubala (Lincoln City), Graham Alexander (Bradford City), Brian Barry-Murphy (Cardiff City), Alex Revell (Stevenage). Skubala has already led Lincoln to promotion.
Players: Dom Ballard (Leyton Orient), Owen Bailey (Doncaster Rovers), Jack Moylan (Lincoln City), Sonny Bradley (Lincoln City).
League Two manager and player shortlists
Managers: Andy Woodman (Bromley), Paul Warne (Milton Keynes Dons), Micky Mellon (Oldham Athletic), Neil Harris (Cambridge United).
Players: Aaron Drinan (Swindon Town), Mitch Pinnock (Bromley), Callum Paterson (Milton Keynes Dons), Omar Sowumni (Bromley).
Young Player awards (presented divisionally)
Championship: Jordan James (Leicester City), Ashley Phillips (Stoke City), Sydie Peck (Sheffield United), Bobby Clark (Derby County).
League One: Dom Ballard (Leyton Orient), Amario Cozier-Duberry (Bolton Wanderers), Dylan Lawlor (Cardiff City), Jenson Metcalfe (Bradford City).
League Two: Matty Young (Salford City), Daniel Kanu (Walsall), Sam Gale (Gillingham), Tom Iorpenda (Notts County).
Apprentice of the Season shortlists
Championship: Louis Page (Leicester City), Leo Pecover (Bristol City), Sheldon Kendall (Millwall).
League One: Sulyman Krubally (Burton Albion), Ryan Doherty (Stevenage), Tegan Finn (Plymouth Argyle).
League Two: Ollie Dewsbury (Bristol Rovers), Mamadou Diallo (Cheltenham Town), Rian Silver (MK Dons).
Community and off-field awards
Community Club of the Season: Blackburn Rovers, Plymouth Argyle, Bristol Rovers.
Community Project of the Season: Blackburn Rovers – Dads FC; Plymouth Argyle – Argyle4Autism; Notts County – Baby Remembrance Wall.
Player in the Community: Will Vaulks (Oxford United), Hamish Douglas (Rotherham United), Taylor Moore (Bristol Rovers).
Diversity Award nominees include Bristol City (We Are City), Huddersfield Town (Menopause & Menstruation Friendly Pioneers) and Southampton (Deaf Inclusion). Environmental Award contenders are Birmingham City (Blues Go Green), Bradford City (Greener Bantams) and Harrogate Town (HarryGator Walk to School). Fan Engagement nominees feature Bristol Rovers, Cardiff City (Bluebirds Uncaged) and Huddersfield Town (Terriers Together Travel). The Club Employee Award shortlist includes Rae Walker (Grimsby Town), Wendy Thomas (Middlesbrough) and Alan Long (Lincoln City).
Prestige awards announced on the night
The ceremony will also present the Sir Tom Finney Award and the Contribution to League Football award, two of the EFL’s highest honours recognising outstanding careers and lifetime service to the professional game. Recipients will be revealed during the live broadcast.
Teams and Goal of the Season
EFL Teams of the Season (Championship, League One and League Two) and the Goal of the Season will be announced at the awards show.
Full category shortlists have been published by the EFL ahead of the ceremony. All winners will be confirmed live at the 2026 EFL Awards on 19 April.