Full Breakdown
Boreham Wood vs Rochdale: National League Play-off Final at Wembley
5/9/2026, 11:35:49 PM
National League Play-off Final: Boreham Wood vs Rochdale
Boreham Wood and Rochdale meet at Wembley on 10 May 2026 in the National League play-off final. The victor secures promotion to the English Football League for 2026-27. Boreham Wood chase their first league promotion; Rochdale aim to return after 2023 relegation.
Background & Recent Form
Boreham Wood finished fourth, beat Forest Green Rovers (1-0) and Carlisle United (2-1) to reach their first National League final. Manager Luke Garrard returned in September 2024 after six months without a job following the 2022-23 relegation; his side collected 90 points, a typical title-winning total. Rochdale missed automatic promotion, then defeated Scunthorpe United 2-1 in the semi-final and target a League Two return after three seasons.
Key Figures
Luke Garrard manages Boreham Wood; Jimmy McNulty manages Rochdale, who previously appeared at Wembley in 2008 and 2018.
Data & Statistics
Boreham Wood’s 90 points would normally win a division. Odds: Boreham Wood 2/1, Rochdale 6/5, draw 5/2. Rochdale have 15,000 Level 1 tickets in the East stand. DAZN streams the final for £14.99 via its NLTV pass.
Why It Matters
Promotion would give Boreham Wood its first Football League place, reshaping its finances and competition level. For Rochdale, success restores League Two status lost in 2023 and stabilises the club.
Official Statements & Responses
Garrard urged calm, warned ticket discussions after Friday would be fined, and affirmed the squad’s quality to win at Wembley.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Two years ago relegating Boreham Wood really hurt me. This is my club. I left and there were some dark times in the six months not having a job,” — Luke Garrard, manager, BBC 72+ podcast
- “I said it from the start of this season we have enough to get promotion," he said.” — Luke Garrard
- “Our aim was to be successful in this second part of the season and we're two thirds of the way through that now.” — Luke Garrard
- “There are going to be households who are excited, mums and dads, there are staff who are excited but we need to be calm, we're going to Wembley for business.” — Luke Garrard
What’s Next
The winner will play in League Two in 2026-27. DAZN will stream the final and all three National League play-off finals, its season pass covering over 400 live matches next season.
