Championship Play-Offs to Expand to Six Teams in 2026-27 Season
The EFL Championship is set for a significant shake-up with the introduction of a six-team play-off system, beginning with the 2026-27 season. The change, approved by EFL clubs, aims to increase competition and offer more teams a pathway to Premier League promotion.
How the New System Will Work
Currently, the Championship play-offs involve the teams finishing in third, fourth, fifth, and sixth place. The expanded format will include the teams finishing from third to eighth, creating a more competitive finish to the regular season.
Here’s a breakdown of the new structure:
- Semi-Finals: Teams finishing third and fourth will directly advance to the semi-finals.
- Quarter-Finals: A single-leg quarter-final stage will be introduced, with the team finishing fifth hosting the team finishing eighth, and the team finishing sixth hosting the team finishing seventh.
- Final: The semi-finals will continue to be played over two legs, and the final will remain at Wembley Stadium in late May.
Rationale Behind the Change
The EFL stated that the decision was made 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.”1
No Immediate Changes for League One and League Two
At present, there are no plans to expand the play-off systems in League One or League Two. The change is solely focused on the Championship for the 2026-27 season.
Long-Term Consideration
The proposal to expand the Championship play-offs has been under consideration for several seasons, demonstrating a deliberate effort by the EFL to enhance the competitiveness and excitement of the league. 1 The EFL board and the Football Association have both approved the new system.
This expansion is expected to intensify the battle for play-off places in the Championship, potentially leading to more dramatic finishes and increased fan engagement.