Championship Announces Play-Off Expansion Plans for 2026-27

The EFL and Championship clubs have approved expanding the play-offs to six teams starting next season.

A statement from the Football League confirmed the update: “At a General Meeting today, EFL Clubs approved changes to increase the number of teams in the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs from four to six, beginning in the 2026/27 season.”

“This decision aims to add more competitive matches in the final weeks of the season and gives two more clubs the chance to reach the Play-Off Final at Wembley and move up to the Premier League.”

With the new format, teams finishing seventh and eighth in the Championship will join the play-offs.

These teams will play one-legged quarter-finals away against the fifth and sixth-placed teams. The winners will then face the third and fourth-placed teams in two-legged semi-finals. The final will take place at Wembley.

The updated Championship play-offs will take effect next season.