Six clubs in the Play Offs?

**Lord Snooty** · 11-02-2026, 17:36

The Championship is considering extending the Play Offs to six clubs, meaning the team finishing 8th could end up in the Premier League.

Is this just to get Wrexham promoted? Do you think it's a good idea?

Personally I think we should go back to promoting the top three without a play off. But that's never happening now.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/art...dnll5gp1go

**themaclad** · 11-02-2026, 18:23

No, from me

**St Charles Owl** · 11-02-2026, 19:33

Its a no for me but then reality kicks in. First we know the playoffs are generating more money for more teams as the season ends, not just those who end up in the POs but the teams fighting for a place in them as the season draws to a close. Secondly the POs are an exciting way to end the season, they get good attendances and TV audiences irrespective of who is in them. Third, and this one is being generalist to a degree but I think we would all struggle to find a football fan who's team ends up 7th or 8th and is still vehemently against the expansion, we are after all selfish towards our team when it comes to football and decisions like this.

**Lord Snooty** · 11-02-2026, 21:39

If you're the 8th best team in the Championship after 46 games and you do happen to win the Play Offs, the Premier League is gonna be one helluva struggle.

**St Charles Owl** · 11-02-2026, 21:44

(11-02-2026, 21:39)Lord Snooty Wrote: If you're the 8th best team in the Championship after 46 games and you do happen to win the Play Offs, the Premier League is gonna be one helluva struggle.

It's a struggle for the team that comes first as well. The disparity between the PL and Championship in terms of money is a very real problem but probably a different topic. It could be argued that this move will bring more money into the Championship and therefore give promoted teams a slightly better shot at staying up.

Has there been any mention of format for this? Is it 5v8 and 6v7 in a one off game followed by the 2 leg semi and single leg final?

**Lord Snooty** · 11-02-2026, 22:11

Yes. The proposed format is just what you just suggested.

5v8
6v7

3v lowest rank left in
4v the other

Semis would be over two legs then a Wembley final.

**themaclad** · 05-03-2026, 14:14

It's approved Ridsdale gets his way

EFL clubs have voted in favour of expanding the Championship play-offs from four to six teams.

The new system is similar to the format used in the National League and will be introduced for the 2026-27 season.

It means teams finishing from third to eighth will compete for promotion to the Premier League.

Clubs finishing third and fourth will progress directly to the semi-final, while a one-legged quarter final will be played with fifth at home to eighth and sixth hosting seventh.

Semi-finals will remain as two legs and the final will still take place at Wembley at the end of May.

There are currently no plans in place to expand the play-offs in League One or League Two.

The proposal has been under consideration for a number of seasons and was approved by the EFL board and Football Association.

"The decision 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," the EFL said.

The second tier play-offs have been contested by four teams since its introduction in the 1986-87 season.

Millwall finished eighth in the Championship last season on 66 points with Bristol City claiming the final play-off spot on 68 points.

Third-placed Sheffield United, who lost the play-off final to Sunderland, got 90 points.

EFL chief executive Trevor Birch said 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," Birch said.

The National League has been pushing for a third promotion place to be added as part of its 3UP campaign.

A general meeting is set to take place next week between all clubs to discuss the "alignment requirements", according to the EFL, however no formal vote is planned.

The EFL has previously said any change to the position of promotion and relegation in any division would require approval from a majority of EFL clubs, including a majority in the Championship.

Stairs · 09-03-2026, 20:48

Money drives everything nowadays.

It’s another sad day for those of us that grew up enjoying Saturday 3pm and an FA Cup run.