EFL considering radical shake-up to Championship play-off format | OneFootball

The English Football League (EFL) is weighing up a significant change to the Championship play-off structure that could see six teams, rather than four, competing for the final promotion place to the Premier League. According to The Athletic, the governing body is exploring the introduction of an “eliminator round,” a move that has already gained broad support among Championship clubs.

As it stands, the top two in the Championship are promoted directly into the Premier League, while the clubs finishing third to sixth contest the play-offs. The format pits third against sixth and fourth against fifth across two-legged semi-finals, with the winners of each respective tie meeting at Wembley for the lucrative final. That showpiece, billed as the “richest game in football,” is worth more than £100m in television and sponsorship revenue.

The new proposal mirrors the system used in the National League. Under the plan, the teams finishing fifth would face eighth, and sixth would play seventh in one-off “eliminators.” The winners would then advance to face the third and fourth-placed sides in the familiar two-legged semi-finals, culminating in the Wembley final.

Preston North End director Peter Ridsdale presented the idea at a recent EFL meeting, where it reportedly received a warm reception. Proponents argue that expanding the play-offs would inject greater excitement into the closing weeks of the season by reducing the number of “dead rubber” matches. For clubs, the extra places would also keep promotion dreams alive longer, potentially boosting attendances and revenues.

Premier League opposition to plan

Not everyone, however, is convinced. The Premier League has previously opposed such reforms, citing concerns over diluting the quality of the top flight by opening the door to lower-placed finishers. Any change would also require approval from the Football Association, whose sign-off remains uncertain.

GFN | Finn Entwistle