The English Football League has approved a change to the promotion play-off format to the Premier League, expanding the number of participating clubs from four to six. This means that from next season, teams finishing between third and eighth place in the Championship table will compete in the play-off stage. The decision was backed by clubs in a vote, marking the biggest change to the promotion system in years. Experts indicate the reform aims to increase interest in the competition and provide a greater chance of promotion to a more diverse group of teams.

New Play-Off Format

From the 2026/27 season, six teams will participate in the Championship play-offs, not four as before. Teams finishing third and fourth will advance directly to the semi-finals, while teams in fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth place will play a preliminary round. The winners of these two-legged ties will join the third and fourth-placed teams in the semi-finals. The final will be played at Wembley Stadium.

EFL Clubs' Vote

The change was officially approved after a vote by clubs within the English Football League. The required majority was achieved. The decision ends months of discussion and consultation on the potential reform of the promotion system, which aims to increase drama and interest in the league during its decisive phase.

Reactions and Controversy

The play-off expansion has met with mixed reactions. Supporters, including some clubs and fans, believe it will increase excitement and promotion chances for more teams until the end of the season. Critics, including some managers, fear it could devalue the regular season and reward mediocrity by enabling promotion for an eighth-placed team.

Goals of the Reform

The main goal of the changes, as emphasized by EFL leadership, is to increase interest in the league and maintain tension in the promotion race for more clubs until the final matchdays. Additional play-off matches are also expected to bring the league extra revenue from tickets and television broadcasts. This is the biggest change to the promotion system since the introduction of the current format.

The English Football League has officially approved a historic change to the promotion play-off format to the Premier League. From next season, six teams will participate in the Championship play-offs, instead of the previous four. The decision was made by clubs within the EFL following a vote. The new system means that teams finishing from third to eighth in the final league table will enter the fight for promotion. The specific competition format envisages that teams finishing third and fourth will gain direct entry to the semi-finals. Teams in fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth place will play a preliminary round. The fifth-placed team will face the eighth, and the sixth will face the seventh. The winners of these two-legged ties will join the other two teams in the semi-finals. The final, as per tradition, will be held at Wembley Stadium in London. This reform is the biggest modification to the promotion system in the English second tier in years and aims to increase drama at the end of the season.Play-offs in English football have a long tradition. In the Championship, the current format with four teams has been in place since the 1986/87 season, replacing the previous system of test matches. Their final, dubbed the 'richest game in the world' due to the gigantic financial bonuses for promotion to the Premier League, has been played at Wembley for years and attracts massive media attention. Reactions to the change are mixed. Supporters, including some league and club officials, argue it will increase interest in the league for a longer period, keeping promotion hopes alive for more teams even in the final rounds. They also hope for increased revenue from the extra matches. „„This change is designed to enhance the excitement and engagement in the Championship, ensuring more clubs have something to play for right up until the final day of the season.”” — CEO of the EFL, who commented on the approval of the play-off changes. Critics, including some managers and commentators, express concerns that the system could reward mediocrity by allowing an eighth-placed team to fight for the elite, and potentially devalue the regular season, where the fight for automatic promotion (first and second place) remains unchanged. The play-off expansion is part of broader trends in world sports, where competition organizers seek ways to increase spectacle and revenue. Similar discussions about format reforms are taking place in other European leagues. The EFL's decision may set a precedent for other competitions. The ultimate success or failure of this change will be verified next season when the new system is implemented in practice.

Mentioned People

  • Trevor Birch — CEO of the EFL, who commented on the approval of the play-off changes.