EFL Plans Expanding Championship Play-offs to Six Teams for 2026/27
The English Football League (EFL) plans to expand the Championship play-offs to include six teams, starting with the 2026/27 season. This proposed change is set to be discussed during an extraordinary general meeting on March 5. Reports indicate strong support for this initiative among Championship clubs.
Details of the Proposed Six-Team Play-off Structure
The proposed play-off format has undergone extensive consultation, gaining traction since discussions originated within the EFL Board last autumn. The expansion aims to enhance competition by allowing teams finishing as low as eighth in the Championship a chance at promotion.
Voting Process
The EFL will conduct a vote where a majority from both Championship and overall EFL clubs must agree to this change. Specifically, 13 out of the 24 Championship clubs and 37 out of the 72 total EFL clubs need to be in favor.
Structure of the New Play-offs
If the proposal passes, the play-off format will include an additional “eliminator round.” This aligns with practices in the National League. Here’s how the matches will be set up:
- The fifth-placed team will face the eighth-placed team.
- The sixth-placed team will go up against the seventh-placed team.
These matches will be single-elimination games held at the home ground of the higher-seeded teams. The winners will then advance to semi-finals against the clubs finishing third and fourth, ultimately leading to the traditional play-off final at Wembley.
Future Implications for Lower Leagues
Although there are no immediate plans to introduce a similar play-off format for League One and Two, expectations suggest that such expansions may occur in the next few years should the Championship model prove successful.
Overall, the proposed six-team play-off structure aims to elevate competition and increase opportunities for teams within the Championship, while it faces scrutiny from the Premier League regarding potential impacts on the quality of promoted teams.
