Championship play-offs: EFL confirms expansion from four to six teams from 2026/27 season onwards | Football News

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The EFL has confirmed the Sky Bet Championship play-offs will be expanded from four to six teams from next season onwards.

EFL chief executive Trevor Birch said: “Since their introduction in 1986/87, the play-offs have become a highlight of the domestic football calendar, capturing the drama, suspense and jeopardy that make the EFL so special.

“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.”

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What could change?

While the format will not be confirmed until the summer, it is expected that the expansion would see the play-offs take this shape:

  • 1st and 2nd are automatically promoted as normal.
  • 3rd and 4th qualify for the semi-finals.
  • 5th vs 8th, and 6th vs 7th in one-off eliminator ties at the home of the side who finishes higher up the league.
  • The winners of the eliminator ties progress to the semi-finals, to face 3rd and 4th in the format that currently exists – two-legged ties with the second leg at the home of the side that finishes higher up the league.
  • As per usual, the winners of the two semi-finals meet at Wembley for a place in the Premier League.

More to follow…

This is a breaking news story that is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh this page for the latest updates.
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