EFL have approved plans to expand the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs format to six teams.
Under the change following approval from EFL clubs, those who finish the regular season between third to eighth will qualify for the play-offs, with clubs ranked third and fourth receiving a pass to the play-off semi-finals stage played across two legs differing it slightly to the National League Play-Offs format.
Teams who qualify fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth will participate in a new eliminator stage across single legs with exact details to be finalised later in the year, ahead of its introduction at the end of the 2026-27 season.
The two winners of the eliminator stage will then meet the teams ranked third and fourth in the play-off semi-finals stage, with the winners advancing to the Play-Off Final at Wembley Stadium, London.
EFL Chief Executive, Trevor Birch explained that the play-off tweaks are designed to make the second-tier competition stronger.
“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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