The much anticipated shortlists for the EFL Awards 2026 have been revealed with the ceremony to take place later this month.
With the 2025/26 season coming to an end, it’s that time again where the awards are handed out to players, staff, volunteers, fans and clubs.
The English Football League have announced the official shortlist for their awards, with the winners to be announced live at the League’s annual ceremony in London on Sunday the 19th of April, which is also being televised on Sky Sports Football from 8:30pm.
EFL STATEMENT:
Frank Lampard (Coventry City), Alex Neil (Millwall), Sergej Jakirovic (Hull City) and Kim Hellberg (Middlesbrough) have been shortlisted for the EFL Championship Manager of the Season Award.
Lampard has taken The Sky Blues to within touching distance of the Premier League during his first full season in charge.
Meanwhile, Kim Hellberg has had an incredible start to life at Middlesbrough since taking over back in November.
Also in his debut season, Sergej Jakirovic has guided Hull City into contention against all odds, and Alex Neil has helped ensure Millwall remain firmly in the hunt for an automatic rise.
The EFL Championship Player of the Season award is being contested by three players who have played pivotal roles in their Clubs’ promotion pushes, as well as the division’s top scorer.
Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney has led by example for his boyhood Club, consistently delivering all-round performances from the heart of midfield.
Elsewhere, Coventry City goalkeeper Carl Rushworth has been exceptional between the sticks for the league leaders, whilst Millwall wide-player Femi Azeez has had an impressive season for the Lions, scoring eight and assisting seven.
The shortlist is completed by Swansea City striker Zan Vipotnik who is currently the top scorer in the division with 20 goals.
In League One, the Manager of the Season award will be contested by four managers, including Michael Skubala, who has already guided Lincoln City to promotion, alongside Graham Alexander (Bradford City), Brian Barry-Murphy (Cardiff City) and Alex Revell (Stevenage).
Meanwhile, Dom Ballard (Leyton Orient), Owen Bailey (Doncaster Rovers), Jack Moylan (Lincoln City) and Sonny Bradley (Lincoln City) are up for the Player of the Season award.
In League Two, Andy Woodman (Bromley), Paul Warne (MK Dons), Micky Mellon (Oldham Athletic) and Neil Harris (Cambridge United) have been shortlisted for Manager of the Season.
The Player of the Season accolade will be contested by Bromley pair Mitch Pinnock and Omar Sowumni, alongside Aaron Drinan (Swindon Town) and Callum Paterson (Milton Keynes Dons).
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
2026 EFL Awards shortlist in full
EFL Championship Manager of the Season, Sponsored by Football Manager
Frank Lampard – Coventry City
Alex Neil – Millwall
Sergej Jakirovic – Hull City
Kim Hellberg – Middlesbrough
EFL League One Manager of the Season, Sponsored by Football Manager
Graham Alexander – Bradford City
Michael Skubala – Lincoln City
Brian Barry-Murphy – Cardiff City
Alex Revell – Stevenage
EFL League Two Manager of the Season, Sponsored by Football Manager
Andy Woodman – Bromley
Paul Warne – Milton Keynes Dons
Micky Mellon – Oldham Athletic
Neil Harris – Cambridge United
EFL Championship Player of the Season, Sponsored by Sky Bet
Hayden Hackney – Middlesbrough
Carl Rushworth – Coventry City
Femi Azeez – Millwall
Zan Vipotnik – Swansea City
EFL League One Player of the Season, Sponsored by Sky Bet
Dom Ballard – Leyton Orient
Owen Bailey – Doncaster Rovers
Jack Moylan – Lincoln City
Sonny Bradley – Lincoln City
EFL League Two Player of the Season, Sponsored by Sky Bet
Aaron Drinan – Swindon Town
Mitch Pinnock – Bromley
Callum Paterson – Milton Keynes Dons
Omar Sowumni – Bromley
EFL Championship Young Player of the Season, Sponsored by EA Sports
Jordan James – Leicester City
Ashley Phillips – Stoke City
Sydie Peck – Sheffield United
Bobby Clark – Derby County
EFL League One Young Player of the Season, Sponsored by EA Sports
Dom Ballard – Leyton Orient
Amario Cozier-Duberry – Bolton Wanderers
Dylan Lawlor – Cardiff City
Jenson Metcalfe – Bradford City
EFL League Two Young Player of the Season, Sponsored by EA Sports
Matty Young – Salford City
Daniel Kanu – Walsall
Sam Gale – Gillingham
Tom Iorpenda – Notts County
EFL Championship Apprentice of the Season, Sponsored by LFE
Louis Page – Leicester City
Leo Pecover – Bristol City
Sheldon Kendall – Millwall
EFL League One Apprentice of the Season, Sponsored by LFE
Sulyman Krubally – Burton Albion
Ryan Doherty – Stevenage
Tegan Finn – Plymouth Argyle
EFL League Two Apprentice of the Season, Sponsored by LFE
Ollie Dewsbury – Bristol Rovers
Mamadou Diallo – Cheltenham Town
Rian Silver – MK Dons
EFL Community Club of the Season
Blackburn Rovers
Plymouth Argyle
Bristol Rovers
EFL Community Project of the Season
Blackburn Rovers – Dads FC
Plymouth Argyle – Argyle4Autism
Notts County – Baby Remembrance Wall
EFL Player in the Community, Sponsored by The PFA
Will Vaulks – Oxford United
Hamish Douglas – Rotherham United
Taylor Moore – Bristol Rovers
EFL Diversity Award
Bristol City – We Are City
Huddersfield Town – Menopause & Menstruation Friendly Pioneers
Southampton – Deaf Inclusion
EFL Environmental Award, Sponsored by IMG
Birmingham City – Blues Go Green
Bradford City – Greener Bantams
Harrogate Town – HarryGator Walk to School
EFL Fan Engagement Award, Sponsored by Live·Team
Bristol Rovers
Cardiff City – Bluebirds Uncaged
Huddersfield Town – Terriers Together Travel
EFL Club Employee Award
Rae Walker – Grimsby Town
Wendy Thomas – Middlesbrough
Alan Long – Lincoln City
To Be Announced On The Night
Sir Tom Finney Award
Contribution to League Football Award
EFL Championship Team of the Season – Sponsored by Clarion
EFL League One Team of the Season – Sponsored by Clarion
EFL League Two Team of the Season – Sponsored by Clarion
EFL Goal of the Season, Sponsored by Hawk-Eye Innovations
Here’s how fans reacted now that the EFL Awards 2026 shortlists have been revealed…
@NCFCZeb: No Tonda Eckert or Philippe clement is crazy 💀
@j_shb0: Hellberg over Tonda Eckert 😂
@SaintsSixers: What an absolute joke that Leo Scienza and Tonda Eckert aren’t in here
@NoContextSoton: The EFL Awards have lost their credibility
@DJRodnee: Boro bottling over Saints who are flying ? Ridiculous
@a_2009__: No Eckert or Clement 😂😂
@Leightonharri23: The right nominees though I probably might have had that Southampton manager over hellberg. Southampton could honestly finish above boro at this rate. Thought that scienza deserved a shout but the pots nominees are all correct i think
@g1902o: Big Phil absolutely robbed
@b_wisey82: We know what Lampard has done. But, can’t see past the Hull manager with what they have done under the limitations. Hackney is class. But, City would not be top without Rushy, simple. Has to be him for me…
@SaintsExtra:
Kim Hellberg’s Championship record:
12 wins
6 draws
6 defeats
Tonda Eckert’s Championship record:
16 wins
6 draws
5 defeats
🤔 #saintsfc
@NorwichPure: Kim Hellberg over Clement/Eckert is outrageous 🤣
@Ginger_Canary: Hellberg being nominated over Eckert and Clement is just wild
@jack_buchanan_: If they held off two more weeks I reckon Eckert would win MOTS by a landslide, somehow he’s not even on the list 🤯
@reecepst: Kim Hellberg nominated for taking the credit of Rob Edwards’ work lol 🤣
@edens_mfc: Probably the most obvious pair of winners we’ve had in a while
@JackOrton96: Boro have had a good season but Hellberg should not be a MOTS nominee for me. Tonda I’d replace him with. Scienza and Clarke possibly could have been nominees for POTS but I have no idea who I’d take out for them. Lampard and Hackney will win, regardless
🤔 https://t.co/hQgOOuzhUf pic.twitter.com/biDLJWlOEr
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) April 8, 2026
You must be logged in to post a comment Login