League One line-up confirmed as Wimbledon beat Walsall

Wimbledon celebrate promotion at Wembley <i>(Image: PA)</i>
Wimbledon celebrate promotion at Wembley (Image: PA)
This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald.

Wimbledon have clinched the final spot in League One next season after beating Walsall 1-0 in the play-off final at Wembley.

Myles Hippolyte scored the decisive goal on the stroke of half time, picking out the bottom corner with a clinical first-time finish from the edge of the area.

Walsall were inches away from an equaliser early in the second half when Riley Harbottle cleared Jamille Matt’s effort off the line.

Levi Amantchi and David Okagbue also had chances late on, while Tommy Simkin made an impressive save from Josh Neufville at the other end.

Former Wanderer Liam Gordon played the full 90 minutes, while Brandon Comley was an unused substitute. Bolton-born James Ball, who previously spent time in Wanderers' Academy, came off the bench for the final stages.

Wimbledon survived six minutes of stoppage time to get over the line after three years in League Two.

"This is surreal it feels like a dream, and I'm trying to take it in and enjoy it," manager Johnnie Jackson told Sky Sports.

"There was so much riding on this game, so much pressure when the whistle goes. It's just relief and now I want to spend time with players, family and friends."

The 2025/26 League One line-up is now finalised. Doncaster Rovers, Port Vale and Bradford City are the other promoted sides.

Cardiff, Luton and Plymouth are the clubs dropping down from the Championship after finishing in the bottom three.

Leyton Orient will play in the third tier again after their narrow defeat against Charlton at Wembley over the weekend.

The Addicks join Birmingham and Wrexham, who finished first and second respectively, in promotion to the Championship.

Wanderers and their rivals will learn the full 2025/26 fixture list at 9am on Thursday, June 26.

Steven Schumacher is preparing for his first full season in the hot seat as the Whites aim to build on their eighth-place finish.

Here is the 2025/26 League One line-up in full

  • Barnsley
  • Blackpool
  • Bolton
  • Bradford
  • Burton
  • Cardiff
  • Doncaster
  • Exeter
  • Huddersfield
  • Leyton Orient
  • Lincoln
  • Luton
  • Mansfield
  • Northampton
  • Peterborough
  • Plymouth
  • Port Vale
  • Reading
  • Rotherham
  • Stevenage
  • Stockport
  • Wigan
  • Wimbledon
  • Wycombe

Get involved
with the news

Send your news & photos