The EFL Championship playoffs will include six teams from the 2026-27 season.\u00a0getty<\/p>\n
Playoffs in the EFL Championship will expand to include six teams, rather than four, from the 2026-27 season.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
The EFL said this change “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<\/a>.”<\/p>\n A four-team playoff system will continue to be used in League One and Two. Since 1989-90, two-leg semifinals have preceded a one-off playoff final.<\/p>\n The Championship playoff final at Wembley has become known as the richest game in football due to the stakes of progressing into the Premier League.<\/p>\n