Championship Play-Off Expansion Approved
EFL clubs have voted to expand the Championship play-offs from four to six teams, adopting a format similar to that used in the National League. This change is set to be implemented starting with the 2026-27 season.
Under the new system, teams finishing between third and eighth place in the Championship will compete for promotion to the Premier League. The clubs finishing third and fourth will advance directly to the semi-finals. Meanwhile, a single-leg quarter-final round will feature the fifth-placed team hosting the eighth-placed team, and the sixth-placed team hosting the seventh-placed team.
The semi-finals will continue to be contested over two legs, and the final will remain a single match held at Wembley Stadium at the end of May.
This proposal has been under consideration for several seasons and has now received approval from both the EFL board and the Football Association.
"The decision is intended to increase the number of competitive fixtures during the closing stages of the campaign, while also giving two additional clubs the opportunity to reach the play-off final at Wembley Stadium and progress to the Premier League," the EFL said.
