The English Football League (EFL) approved a major reform to the Championship promotion play-offs on March 5, 2026. Clubs voted to expand the competition from four teams to six starting in the 2026-27 season.
EFL clubs gathered for an extraordinary general meeting. They passed a proposal to increase play-off participants. The decision required majorities from all 72 EFL clubs and separately from Championship clubs. The change took effect after the vote succeeded.
Under the current system, teams finishing third to sixth contested the play-offs. The top two clubs gained automatic promotion to the Premier League. From next season, teams placing third to eighth qualified. This mirrored the National League format, where more clubs competed for promotion.
The structure included single leg eliminators. The fifth placed team hosted the eighth placed team. The sixth-placed team hosted the seventh-placed team. Winners advanced to two legged semi-finals against the third and fourth placed teams. The semi-final victors met in the final at Wembley Stadium.
EFL CEO Trevor Birch stated the change aimed to boost competitiveness. He noted it would strengthen the Championship as a competition. Birch added it gave more clubs and supporters a genuine opportunity to achieve promotion.
The EFL explained the expansion increased competitive fixtures in the season’s closing stages. It also provided two additional clubs a chance to reach the Wembley final and progress to the Premier League.
This season’s play-offs remained unchanged with four teams. The new six-team format began in the 2026-27 campaign. The principle of expansion received approval first. Clubs planned to finalize the precise details later if needed.
The reform marked the first major alteration to the Championship play-off structure since its introduction in 1987. It aimed to heighten excitement during the run-in for more teams.
