Championship play-offs to expand to six teams from 2026-27

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·5 March 2026

The Championship said on Thursday that, from 2026-27, its promotion play-offs will involve six teams instead of four.

At present only the sides finishing third to sixth take part.

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The exact format is to be confirmed during 2026, but the revised system is expected to include the teams finishing seventh and eighth.

Preliminary ties are expected to pit fifth to eighth, likely as single-leg matches.

The winners would then join the third and fourth for two-legged semi-finals, ahead of the traditional Wembley final.

The extra round would add one more game to a fixture list already congested in a 46-game season.

Source: L'Équipe