The English Football League (EFL) has announced that the Championship play-offs will be expanded from four to six teams starting from the 2026-27 season.
This decision was made after EFL clubs voted in favour of the expansion, with the new system similar to the format used in the National League.
According to the EFL, teams finishing from third to eighth will compete for promotion to the Premier League, with clubs finishing third and fourth progressing directly to the semi-final.
Play-off Format
A one-legged quarter final will be played, with fifth at home to eighth and sixth hosting seventh, while semi-finals will remain as two legs and the final will still take place at Wembley at the end of May.
The EFL said, "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."
Reaction from EFL Chief Executive
EFL chief executive Trevor Birch stated, "Following several months of discussion with clubs and other stakeholders, 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."
There are currently no plans to expand the play-offs in League One or League Two, with the proposal having been under consideration for a number of seasons before being approved by the EFL board and Football Association.
