Expanded Championship play-offs to begin next season | OneFootball

The English Football League has announced the approval of a new format for the Championship play-offs that will see six teams competing starting next season.

The current format has the teams that finished third until sixth competing for a place in the Premier League, which has produced some unforgettable moments in recent seasons.

There had been some reported concerns from the Premier League that expanding the play-offs further would 'dilute' the level of teams coming up to the top flight. Regardless, the decision has been made for an expanded play-off system.

Starting next season, the teams finishing third and fourth will still only have to play one play-off semi-final before the big game at Wembley but there will be two-legged 'eliminator ties' for the other four teams involved.

"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," said Trevor Birch, the EFL chief executive.

"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."