The Football League have confirmed that the post-season Play-Offs will be extended to six teams from next season.
The current play-off system has been in place for nearly 30 years with teams from third to sixth in the final league table entering the play-offs to see who will be promoted to the Premier League.
But from the 2026/27 campaign that will be extended to six sides, down to eighth in the table.
The format consists of …
- The Play-Offs in the Championship will consist of seven fixtures
- The two winners of the eliminator ties will progress to the semi-finals (against the teams finishing 3rd and 4th in the table). These games will be played over two legs.
- The two winning semi-finalists will meet in the Championship Play-Off final.
EFL Chief Executive, Trevor Birch, said: “Since their introduction in 1986/87, the Play-Offs have become a highlight of the domestic football calendar, capturing the drama, suspense and jeopardy that make the EFL so special.
“Following several months of discussion with Clubs and other stakeholders, we are confident this change will further strengthen the Championship as a competition and give more Clubs and their supporters a genuine opportunity of achieving promotion.”
