Bolton v Stockport live on Sky Sports: Daniel Mann leads Wembley commentary as League One play-off final takes centre stage

Match date: 24 May 2026

Bolton Wanderers and Stockport County meet at Wembley in the Sky Bet League One play-off final, with live coverage available in the UK on Sky Sports Football, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports MIX and Sky Sports Main Event UHD. The match kicks off at 1pm and, for supporters wanting a quicker wrap-up, there will also be highlights on ITV’s English Football League programme later in the day. For those following on radio, BBC Radio 5 Live and talkSPORT 2 both have live commentary, while international viewers can access coverage via a range of broadcasters including DAZN, Disney+ and ESPN-linked services depending on territory.

Sky’s main television presentation is fronted by Michelle Owen, a familiar face to viewers of the channel’s football output, with Daniel Mann on main commentary alongside a pundit team that includes Jobi McAnuff, Luke Chambers and Michael Skubala. Mann has become one of the most recognisable voices in English football coverage, regularly leading Sky’s EFL and lower-league broadcasts, while McAnuff and Chambers both bring recent first-hand experience of the professional game. Skubala, meanwhile, is best known for his work in coaching, including his spell in charge of England’s Under-21s, giving the studio a blend of technical and tactical insight.

The Wembley final comes after two convincing semi-final wins. Bolton booked their place by beating Bradford City 2-0 on aggregate, with loanee winger Amario Cozier-Duberry playing a major role in the season and Xavier Simons scoring the late strike that settled the tie. Stockport then overcame Stevenage 3-0 on aggregate, with Louie Barry producing a standout finish in the second leg before Carl Piergianni helped confirm the Hatters’ return to the national stadium. Both sides have earned the right to contest one of the most lucrative and emotionally charged fixtures in the Football League calendar.

On the wider coverage front, BBC North West Tonight has reporter Ian Haslam providing regional reaction, which should prove especially useful for supporters across Greater Manchester and Cheshire. BBC Radio 5 Live sends Aaron Paul to bring live match updates, while talkSPORT 2 will have Hugh Woozencroft presenting with Joe Shennan on commentary and Chris Iwelumo alongside him. Woozencroft is a long-established broadcaster at the station, Shennan has carved out a strong reputation across football and other major events, and Iwelumo’s recent playing career ensures plenty of practical analysis from the gantry.

There is also an international production line-up for audiences overseas. CBS Sports Network and Paramount+ in the United States list Adam Hunt as presenter, with Geoff Shreeves, Tony Meola, Poppy Miller, Troy Deeney and Nigel Reo-Coker involved across punditry and reporting duties. Shreeves is one of British football’s most experienced sideline reporters, while Deeney and Reo-Coker have both quickly established themselves as thoughtful, articulate analysts after recent playing careers. Meola, a former United States international goalkeeper, adds a transatlantic perspective that reflects the growing appetite for EFL coverage abroad.

For supporters looking beyond the television build-up, Jonathan Oakes and Harriet Prior are among the reporters in action for Sky Sports News, with Tim Thornton also involved. Oakes is one of the most established EFL reporters in the country and has covered countless promotion races and play-off campaigns. Prior has become increasingly prominent in Sky’s football journalism output, particularly around women’s football and broader features, while Thornton brings additional reporting depth to the news channel’s live coverage.

The final itself carries huge significance for both clubs. Bolton, one of the best-supported sides in the division, are aiming to return to the Championship and restore themselves to a level long associated with their modern history. Stockport, meanwhile, have continued their impressive rise through the leagues and would see promotion as another major step in their revival. With Wembley, a packed national audience and a place in the second tier on the line, the atmosphere should match the stakes.

For viewers wanting the simplest answer: Sky Sports Football is the key UK home for live coverage, with Daniel Mann leading the commentary and Michelle Owen anchoring the broadcast. In other words, the League One play-off final is set up as a proper showcase occasion, with top-level production, experienced voices and a winner-takes-all contest fitting for Wembley. More on the competition can be found via the EFL’s official League One page.

Article generated: 24 May 2026, 13:00 GMT