The English Football League (EFL) has officially announced that the Championship play-offs will expand from four to six teams starting from the 2026/27 season, following approval in a vote by all EFL clubs on March 5, 2026, as reported by yalelo.biz.
New Format Details
The revamped structure will mirror the system used in the National League, introducing an eliminator round. Teams finishing fifth and eighth, as well as sixth and seventh, will face off in single-leg ties hosted by the higher-ranked club. The winners of these eliminators will then progress to two-legged semi-finals against the third and fourth-placed teams, with the final still taking place at Wembley Stadium to decide the third promotion spot to the Premier League.
EFL chief executive Trevor Birch stated: “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.”
Background to the Change
The proposal, first put forward by Preston North End director Peter Ridsdale in September 2025, gained widespread backing from Championship clubs. Proponents argue it will reduce the number of “dead rubber” matches in the closing weeks of the season, boost attendances and revenues, and keep promotion hopes alive for more teams.
However, the plan has faced opposition, notably from the Premier League, which previously raised concerns about diluting the quality of the top flight. Some fans have also criticized the move, with one supporter describing it as “ridiculous” and questioning whether teams finishing as low as eighth deserve a shot at promotion – a concern highlighted by last season’s 24-point gap between third-placed Sheffield United and eighth-placed Millwall.
The EFL also noted that while the focus is initially on the Championship, similar expansion could be considered for League One and League Two in the future. The 2026/27 Championship play-off final is scheduled for May 23, 2027, at Wembley.
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