Why this version of the EFL playoffs will be the last of its kind due to historic change

News

Martin Macdonald | Writer

Content writer covering football, formula 1 and movies

After last weekend's round of action in the Championship, the playoff positions have been determined with the semi-finals taking place from this Friday to the following Tuesday.

Millwall and Hull play their semi-final legs on Friday and Monday, while Middlesbrough and Southampton will compete on Saturday and Tuesday.

The final, often dubbed "the biggest game in football" due to the financial impact that comes from being promoted to the Premier League, takes place on Saturday, 23 May.

Coventry and Ipswich have already been promoted as Championship champions and runners-up, respectively.

Due to the prize of promotion and the riches on offer, the playoffs can be some of the most exciting games on the calendar. But, the format as we know it will change starting from next season due to a historic overhaul which includes an increased number of teams.

The playoffs will be expanded come the end of the 2026/27 campaign, confirms the EFL.

Instead of the four teams below the four automatic promotion slots getting a second shot to go up, this will be expanded to six.

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.

“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.”

Fans react angrily to playoff plan

Traditionally, the playoffs have been a showcase of some of the most exciting football of the season, with the high-stakes nature of the games creating moments of incredible drama.

Iconic EFL manager Ian Holloway said: “You get to the playoffs and there’s a roller coaster there. It’s what you’ve aimed for, but it’s all or nothing. If you go up in the playoffs, it’s the best feeling. I think the playoffs are such a marvellous thing and it ends in this wonderful, pinnacle of a day which you’ll never forget.”

Supporters are concerned that the new format threatens to dilute the current format.

“Don’t change this ffs, no one wants this change. Leave football how it is,” one posted on X.

Another added: “Quantity over quality yet again. You're killing the game for goodness sake.”

Concerns were also raised about the ability of clubs finishing sixth in the Championship to become remotely competitive in the Premier League.

“Logically when you see teams get 100 points in the Championship and then get pummelled every week in the Prem, the solution is to give the side that finished 8th the chance to go up as well,” one said.

“Needless and stupid if it goes ahead.”

How the playoffs work

The four teams that finish directly below the automatic promotion spots compete in the playoffs.

These teams compete in two-legged semi-finals, with the highest-placed side first travelling to face the lowest-ranked opponent in the first leg, giving them an advantage for the second match. These ties are decided on aggregate and go to extra-time and penalties if level. There is no away goals rule.

The winners of the semi-finals then compete in a one-off final at Wembley, which again is decided by extra-time and penalties if required.

In a six-team version, an additional round would take place that would see the top two clubs automatically qualifying for the semi-finals with the remaining four left to battle it out for the remaining two spots.

The automatically qualified teams will be given home advantage in the second leg of the semi-finals as is currently the case.