What is the new Championship play-off format for 2026-27?

Championship clubs have agreed to a new format for the play-offs that will see a new system implemented from the 2026-27 season. 

Currently, teams from 3rd to sixth compete in the end of season mini-tournament, where two semi-finals are played, with each winner going to Wembley for the Play-off Final.

That is all set to change from next season, however, with an expansion to the play-off places in England's second tier. 

What is the new play-off format for the Championship in 206-27? 

The new format will see the expansion of the play-off places from four to six teams, meaning the sides finishing in 7th and 8th would now qualify for the play-offs. 

The expanded system would see clubs finishing third and fourth progressing directly to the semi-finals, while a one-legged quarter final will be played between the fifth-placed team at home to eighth and sixth hosting seventh, it what has been previously coined as an 'eliminator' round. 

The semi-finals would remain as two legs as they are, with the final at Wembley as the finale to the Championship season. 

It's a format that is currently used in the National League, having restructured its play-offs for the 2017-18 season. However, it is still a division where only the first-placed side gains automatic promotion. 

This change will only be for the Championship play-offs, there are no plans to repeat the new format for League 1 or League Two. 

PA

What are the pros and cons of the new Championship play-off format?

DAZN football content editor/Queens Park Rangers fan Ash Rose

Pros

"The Championship is one of the closely-fought and most relentless leagues in Europe, with very little often separating the teams who reach the play-offs. 

"Adding two additional spots is an obvious incentive to those teams chasing the play-offs, who normally fall short of sixth place.

"Giving fresh impetus to that midtable section of the table, which towards the end of the season normally have little to play for, but would now have an additional two spots to aim for to ultimately receive a dream ticket to the Premier League. 

"In a league that prides itself on fine margins and competitiveness, there's no doubt this would only add more drama and opportunity for teams looking to make the promised land. 

Cons

"There's obviously something rather bewildering about a club finishing eighth in a division, but then winning promotion to the Premier League and all the financial rewards that come with it.

"I'm sure the same was said about 6th place when the play-offs were first introduced in 1989, but 8th place is on the cusp of midtable and yet could get the ultimate reward. 

"Is that good for the league? Yes, but the concern is that the quality of the teams finishing in 7th and 8th would have to compete in the top flight.

"We've already seen in the last two seasons that all six of the promoted teams went straight back down and Burnley and Leeds could continue that trend in 2026. 

"If already seeing a lack of competitiveness from the teams in the top two and play-off winners coming from the top six, what hope does it give the next two lines?

"Sure, it would open up finances that would mean that eventually those said teams could compete, but then you're in danger of creating a mini-league in a division that prides itself on its unpredictability. 

"Last season, Millwall finished in 8th on 68 points, whereas Sheffield United ended up on 90 points.

"That's quite a gap in points and although it's not always that large, it is evidence of a season's work that has a stark difference from the team in third to the team six places below them, but either one could end up with the same reward." 

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